What The Reviews Are Saying About Michael Jackson Biopic
Deadline • • general
Key Points:
- The Michael Jackson biopic "Michael," directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, covers the singer's early career and is set for a global release this weekend, drawing on a strong built-in fan base.
- Early critical reception is mixed to negative, with the film holding a 27% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 48 reviews, reflecting divided opinions on its portrayal of Jackson and overall quality.
- Positive reviews highlight Jaafar Jackson's performance and the film's nostalgic musical elements, praising its appeal to fans and younger audiences discovering Jackson's talent.
- Negative critiques focus on the film's sanitized narrative, lack of depth, omission of Jackson's controversies, and a generally bland and unengaging portrayal, with some reviewers calling it a "whitewash" and "soulless cash grab."
- Overall, while the movie may perform well commercially due to fan interest, critics largely view it as a shallow, formulaic biopic that fails to capture the complexity of Michael Jackson's life and legacy.
