Michael Movie Review: Young Michael Jackson’s Rise Outshines Adult Narrative

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Warning! Spoilers lie ahead for Michael.

The film Michael is a major release this year, generating both huge excitement and considerable debate. It’s a beautifully made and well-acted story about a pop music icon, and stands out as one of the stronger musician biopics since the success of Bohemian Rhapsody. However, the movie carefully avoids addressing some of the most difficult aspects of its subject’s life. While it’s a visually stunning and incredibly enjoyable film with a fantastic soundtrack, it feels restrained and it becomes noticeable that key parts of the story are being left untold.

I found Michael to be an enjoyable, if somewhat superficial, celebrity biopic, similar to films like Bohemian Rhapsody and Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis. It’s well-made, with a fast pace, strong casting choices, and a clear high budget. However, the film started very strongly, and the first 30 minutes – focusing on Michael’s childhood with the Jackson 5 – were much more compelling than the rest of the movie. That opening section really stood out and could have worked well as a standalone film.

The movie Michael ends with a message saying “His Story Continues,” hinting at the studio’s desire to create a series of films about different stages of Michael Jackson’s life. However, the first film covers a vast period – from his childhood in Gary, Indiana in 1966 all the way to his Bad tour in 1988. This means any follow-up would likely deal with the time when accusations of child sexual abuse began. Given the scope of the first film, focusing on Michael’s early life, it might have been better suited as a standalone movie instead of being part of a larger series.

The Michael Jackson Biopic Loses Its Dramatic Hook Once Michael Grows Up

The film Michael begins strongly, showing his childhood in Indiana. We see how his strict father pushed him and his brothers to practice relentlessly, eventually forming a polished musical group and taking them on tour. Michael quickly proves to be a talented performer and becomes the star of the Jackson 5. By age 10, he’s a popular and adored musician, sharing his talent with the nation.

This part of Michael Jackson’s story isn’t easy to watch, and the movie doesn’t avoid showing the difficult truth. The film portrays Joe Jackson as a deeply abusive father who physically harmed Michael when he didn’t meet his expectations, and who prioritized making money from his children over their well-being. Colman Domingo delivers a phenomenal performance as Joe Jackson – it’s award-worthy. The first half hour of the movie powerfully contrasts Michael’s growing fame with the harsh reality of his upbringing.

After the initial scenes, the movie jumps ahead in time to focus on Michael as an adult, portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson, and the story loses its initial compelling edge. The film then shows how Michael’s growing fame allows his family to move to a large estate in California. While it’s enjoyable to see footage of his concerts and music videos, the movie doesn’t delve into anything substantial beneath the surface. From this point forward, the film seems determined to portray Michael in a purely positive light, avoiding any conflict or realistic human flaws. It presents him as flawless and even elevates him to an almost saintly figure, showing his effortless rise to superstardom without any setbacks, and positioning him as the defining artist of his time.

The movie’s main conflict comes from Michael’s father, but he fades into the background as Michael gets older. The strong start, fueled by that initial tension and a remarkable performance by Juliano Valdi, makes the first thirty minutes more compelling than the rest of the film.

Michael Jackson’s Childhood With The Jackson 5 Should’ve Been Its Own Movie

The most captivating part of Michael Jackson’s life story is his time with the Jackson 5. His journey as a solo artist feels less engaging because it follows someone who was already incredibly successful becoming even more so. Furthermore, the involvement of his estate in the film means the script avoids showing any of his imperfections or mistakes.

His early life is a true rags-to-riches story: a remarkably gifted musician discovered in suburban Indiana who went on to transform the music world. The actors Valdi and Domingo create a compelling and nuanced relationship as Michael and Joe, showing hints of genuine love despite their often harsh interactions.

The movie Michael is two hours long, but only the first half hour is truly captivating. The rest feels unnecessary. The story of Michael’s upbringing with the Jackson 5, and the difficult relationship with his father, would have made a powerful film on its own.

Juliano Valdi Effortlessly Recaptures Young Michael Jackson’s Star Power

Jaafar Jackson does a remarkable job portraying his uncle Michael. He successfully embodies Michael’s gentle nature and subtle charisma, and his stage presence closely mirrors the iconic performer’s. However, Juliano Valdi, who plays young Michael in the first part of the show, is particularly impressive – even more so, in fact.

Michael Jackson immediately stood out when he first performed with the Jackson 5. Despite being much smaller than his four older brothers, who were all talented musicians, all eyes were on him. His incredible voice and captivating dancing quickly made him a national star. Now, Valdi possesses that same rare and undeniable talent. Though he’s physically smaller than his fellow performers, he commands attention and has a much stronger presence on stage and screen.

The movie hinges on whether you buy into Michael Jackson’s incredible charisma. When the young actor, Valdi, is performing – singing and dancing with energy – you genuinely feel like he’s destined for greatness. While Jaafar Jackson did a good job playing the adult Michael, I was a little let down when the film skipped ahead in time, as it meant we didn’t see Valdi’s portrayal of young Michael anymore.

Michael is likely the most conventional Michael Jackson biopic we’ll get, and while it starts strong, the first half hour suggests a potentially much more compelling film. It hints at a deeper exploration of his journey to fame, his troubled upbringing, and the harsh treatment and exploitation he endured from his father.

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2026-04-25 18:09