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'Michael' Review: Jaafar Jackson Channels His Uncle In Musical Biopic
The film reworks Jackson’s story into a celebratory origin tale, cutting abuse allegations and ending with his 1988 London concert.
- On Friday, April 24, 2026, the biopic 'Michael' arrives in theaters, directed by Antoine Fuqua and chronicling Michael Jackson's early rise from childhood Motown stardom through his 1988 London concert.
- Producer Graham King helms the project with Jackson family involvement, while estate lawyer John Branca secured the star's legacy by transforming it into a commercial enterprise through ventures like a Cirque Du Soleil show.
- Jaafar Jackson, the singer's nephew, portrays the lead, while Colman Domingo plays patriarch Joe Jackson. Cinematographer Dion Beebe recreated the 60s, 70s, and 80s, featuring remastered hits like 'Billie Jean' and 'Thriller.'
- Following multi-million dollar reshoots, filmmakers removed scenes involving accusers, creating an origin tale that sidesteps the tabloid feeding frenzy beginning in 1993 and the 2019 documentary 'Leaving Neverland.'
- The film concludes with the promise 'His Story Continues,' positioning itself as a celebration of Jackson's musical legacy and likely resonating with fans who cherish the music regardless of ongoing public debate.
14 Articles
14 Articles
In a new biographical film about Michael Jackson, partly financed by his heirs and starring Jackson's nephew, the allegations of child abuse have been dropped.
Antoine Fuqua's new biopic shows the "King of Pop" as a mistreated prodigy and as a superstar. But exactly where the story would have to lead to the abyss, the film fades off. Can you get away with it?
‘Michael’ Review: Embattled Michael Jackson Biopic Is Glossy, Sanitized, and Surprisingly Dull
There are only two ways of looking at Michael Jackson in Antoine Fuqua’s predictably sanitized and surprisingly tedious biopic “Michael”: with pity or adoration. Sometimes, both! But always at least one, as the film alights on either screaming, tear-filled fans (“MI-CHAEL! MI-CHAEL!”) or quietly devastated family and friends (“Oh, Michael“). Of course, that “Michael” skirts around the controversies, legal troubles, and horrifying allegations tha…
Don't expect bizarre stories about life at Neverland or about child abuse. The film ‘Michael’ is only about the unhappy but successful first half of the pop star’s life.
‘Michael’ Review: Antoine Fuqua’s Fan-Friendly, Family-Sanctioned Michael Jackson Bio-Drama Is Sanitized but More Soulful Than You Might Expect
Jaafar Jackson plays Michael Jackson at the peak of his success in Antoine Fuqua's bio-drama 'Michael,' also starring Colman Domingo and Nia Long.
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