Review: Michael biopic honours the music but leaves questions about the man

According to The Citizen, Michael, the new biopic about Michael Jackson, succeeds at reviving interest in the star’s music but chooses a highly selective approach to his life story.

What the film delivers

According to The Citizen, the film has introduced an entirely new generation or two to the King of Pop’s music since its release in April. The paper notes that archival material sprinkled through the film takes viewers back to many celebrated moments in Jackson’s career.

Personal moments and family focus

According to The Citizen, the movie documents many primary aspects of Jackson’s life up to the release of Bad in 1987, including the prominence of his father, Joseph Jackson, and the Jackson 5 era. The Citizen writes that the film reads “more like a fandom compact that delivers a smidgen of what Jackson was about,” and that this approach leaves some areas feeling overextended.

What the film leaves out

According to The Citizen, the filmmakers appear determined to stop short of the period when Jackson faced allegations of child sexual abuse, and that decision “meant sacrificing important milestones in his life.” The paper lists several notable mid- and later-career moments and relationships that are largely absent from the film.

Performances and reception

According to The Citizen, Jafaar Jackson gives a believable performance and “does a fantastic job of celebrating his uncle’s artistic legacy.” The Citizen adds that the film succeeds spectacularly at reminding viewers why Jackson became the King of Pop, but that by curating his life so selectively, “it struggles to tell us who Michael Jackson actually was.”

Who should watch

According to The Citizen, the film is worth watching with managed expectations: it revitalises Jackson’s music for new audiences but offers a narrowed portrait of the artist rather than a comprehensive biography. The paper also notes a personal anecdote about younger listeners: “My six- and eight-year-old Gen Alphas still walk around the house singing Billy Jean, Bad and Thriller,” illustrating the film’s impact on a new generation.

Where to watch

According to The Citizen, the film is available on Apple TV for rent or purchase.