Michael Review: Why the Michael Jackson Biopic Feels Like a ‘Bland and Barely Competent Daytime TV Movie’ ★☆☆☆☆
Michael Review: Why the Michael Jackson Biopic Feels Like a ‘Bland and Barely Competent Daytime TV Movie’ ★☆☆☆☆
The anticipation surrounding the release of Michael, the long-awaited biopic of the King of Pop, was nothing short of global. For years, fans and critics alike wondered how Hollywood would handle the complex, stratospheric, and ultimately controversial life of Michael Jackson. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, the film promised a definitive look at the man behind the moonwalk. However, the end result is a startling disappointment. Far from the cinematic masterpiece many hoped for, Michael plays out like a "bland and barely competent daytime TV movie," lacking the depth, grit, and visual flair necessary to do justice to such a monumental figure in pop culture history.
A Surface-Level Script That Shies Away from Truth
The primary failure of Michael lies in its screenplay. Written by John Logan, a writer with an otherwise impressive pedigree (Gladiator, The Aviator), the script feels strangely hollow. Rather than interrogating the psyche of a man who was thrust into the spotlight at age five and lived his entire life in a fishbowl, the film opts for a "greatest hits" montage approach. We see the highlights—the Jackson 5 era, the recording of Thriller, the Pepsi commercial accident—but we never see the man.
The narrative structure is predictable and formulaic, following the standard biopic trajectory that has become a cliché in modern cinema. It lacks the creative risks seen in films like Rocketman or the stylistic intensity of Elvis. By attempting to cover decades of Jackson's life in a linear fashion, the movie spreads itself too thin, failing to provide a cohesive emotional core. This "daytime TV" feel stems from the dialogue, which is often expository and wooden, designed more to move the plot to the next musical sequence than to reveal character depth.
The Directorial Mismatch: Antoine Fuqua’s Missing Spark
Antoine Fuqua is a director known for his gritty, high-stakes action films and dramas like Training Day and The Equalizer. His attachment to the project suggested a film with weight and visual texture. Unfortunately, Michael feels visually uninspired. The cinematography is flat, often utilizing bright, soft-focus lighting that mimics the aesthetic of a low-budget television drama rather than a prestige theatrical release.
There is a noticeable lack of tension in the directing. Even the moments that should feel momentous—the debut of the Moonwalk at Motown 25, for instance—are handled with a surprising lack of cinematic energy. The editing is choppy, jumping from one era to another without establishing a sense of place or atmosphere. For a film about the greatest entertainer of all time, the filmmaking itself is remarkably unentertaining.
| Fitur/Aspek | Deskripsi |
|---|---|
| Director | Antoine Fuqua |
| Lead Actor | Jaafar Jackson (Michael Jackson) |
| Screenplay | John Logan |
| Runtime | Approx. 155 Minutes |
| Cinematography | Dion Beebe |
| Critical Rating | ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5 Stars) |
Performance Review: Jaafar Jackson’s Impossible Task
Casting Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s real-life nephew, was a double-edged sword. On one hand, the physical resemblance is uncanny. Jaafar has mastered the mannerisms, the high-pitched whisper of a voice, and the explosive dance moves that defined his uncle. In the musical sequences, he is often breathtaking to watch, channeling the energy of the King of Pop with impressive precision.
However, acting is more than mimicry. When the music stops and the script requires emotional heavy lifting, Jaafar Jackson struggles. This isn't entirely his fault; the script gives him very little to work with. He is forced to play a version of Michael that is perpetually misunderstood and victimized, without ever exploring the more complex, idiosyncratic, or darker aspects of Jackson's personality. The performance feels like an impersonation at a theme park—accurate in appearance but lacking a soul.
The Sanitization of History and the Estate's Influence
One of the most significant criticisms leveled against Michael is its obvious sanitization of Jackson's life. Produced in conjunction with the Michael Jackson Estate, the film feels more like a PR exercise than a truthful exploration of a human being. The controversies that defined Jackson’s later years—the allegations, the legal battles, the erratic behavior—are either ignored entirely or framed through a lens of extreme sympathy that borders on propaganda.
By refusing to engage with the complexities of its subject, the film loses its stakes. A good biopic should challenge the audience’s perception of the subject. Michael simply reinforces a pre-packaged narrative. This sanitization is what truly makes it feel like a "daytime TV movie"—it’s safe, it’s digestible, and it refuses to offend. In doing so, it also refuses to be interesting.
Technical Shortcomings: Sound and Visual Effects
In a movie about a musical icon, one would expect the sound design to be top-tier. While the remixes of Jackson’s classic tracks are high-quality, the integration of music into the film's narrative feels forced. Songs are often used as emotional shorthand, telling the audience how to feel rather than earning that emotion through storytelling. Furthermore, some of the de-aging CGI used to portray Jackson at various stages of his life is noticeably clunky, falling into the "uncanny valley" and distracting from the performances.
Comparing ‘Michael’ to Modern Biopic Standards
In a post-Oppenheimer and post-Maestro world, audiences expect more from biopics. We look for films that use their subjects to explore larger themes—obsession, genius, the price of fame, or the nature of performance. Michael fails to do this. It stands in stark contrast to films like I'm Not There (Bob Dylan) or Love & Mercy (Brian Wilson), which used innovative storytelling to mirror the artistry of their subjects. Michael is the antithesis of innovation. It is a paint-by-numbers production that feels dated the moment it begins.
The Verdict: A Missed Opportunity for a Legend
Ultimately, Michael is a tragedy of missed potential. Michael Jackson was a figure of Shakespearean proportions—a man of immense talent, immense wealth, and immense controversy. A film about him should be daring, visually arresting, and emotionally challenging. Instead, we are left with a 155-minute slog that feels like a Lifetime original movie with a slightly higher budget. It is bland, it is barely competent, and it is a disservice to the legacy of the man it tries to celebrate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Does the 'Michael' movie address the allegations against Michael Jackson?
The film touches upon the legal battles and the media scrutiny Jackson faced, but it does so from a highly defensive perspective. Critics have noted that it largely avoids the more difficult questions surrounding the allegations, focusing instead on his role as a victim of the press.
2. Is Jaafar Jackson's singing used in the film?
The film uses a blend of Jaafar Jackson’s voice and Michael Jackson’s original vocal stems. While Jaafar performs the movements and some vocal work, the iconic sound of the King of Pop is maintained through original recordings.
3. Why is the movie receiving such low ratings from critics?
Most critics argue that the film is overly sanitized due to the involvement of the Jackson Estate. Additionally, the "daytime TV" production quality, weak script, and lack of directorial vision from Antoine Fuqua have been cited as major flaws.
4. How long is the Michael Jackson biopic?
The film has a runtime of approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, covering Michael's life from his childhood in Gary, Indiana, to his final rehearsals for the 'This Is It' tour.
Conclusion
In the final analysis, Michael is a cautionary tale of what happens when a biopic is too close to its subject's estate. By prioritizing image management over artistry, the filmmakers have created a movie that is remarkably forgettable. It lacks the cinematic "magic" that Michael Jackson himself was so famous for creating. For those looking for a deep dive into the King of Pop's life, you are better off watching his legendary music videos or documentaries that offer a more balanced perspective. As a piece of cinema, Michael is a 1-star effort that proves that even the most spectacular life can be turned into a bland, barely competent TV-style drama if handled without courage or creativity.
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