Michael Jackson movie is a disappointment! Our META Film Review of Michael

"Michael" is the long-awaited major film about Michael Jackson now hitting theaters. The biopic is the subject of heated debate—and is facing a tough time with film critics. Here, too. But why is that? And can Michael Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, pull off the challenging role of the King of Pop? In KinoCheck's META film review, you'll find out what we think of "Michael" and what other critics are saying!

Here's what it's about

A big performance is about to begin. In front of the stage, the crowd cheers, eagerly waiting for their musical idol to step into the spotlight. Michael Jackson stands with his back to us; we have to wait until the end of the film for the performance. What follows is a look back at the events that led up to this moment. It all begins in the 1960s, in Michael's hometown of Gary, Indiana. We see how, even as a child, he is groomed to deliver a perfect show alongside his older brothers. Always under the watchful eye of his father and manager, Joseph Jackson, played by Colman Domingo. The patriarch responds to any backtalk with ruthless harshness—sometimes even with a belt.

As the lead singer of the Jackson 5, the little boy becomes a star. As he gets older, he wants to stand on his own two feet—and also celebrates tremendous success as a solo artist. With producer Quincy Jones, he releases the album "Off the Wall" in the late 70s: a creative breakthrough that causes a sensation. "Thriller" follows in the early 80s—and becomes the most successful record of all time. Michael has made it: he is the biggest pop star on the planet. Yet he still struggles to hold his own against his overpowering father.

One of the biggest weaknesses

The conflict between father and son is at the heart of the biopic—and one of its greatest weaknesses. Michael Jackson's career is essentially portrayed here as the result of an attempt at emancipation. This drastically narrows the perspective on the artist. That Michael suffered under his tyrannical father is undisputed. Here, however, this tale of suffering—as heart-wrenching as it is in some scenes—also becomes a convenient framework for a biopic made in Hollywood that is thoroughly conventional in its dramatic structure.

In one of the numerous critical reviews of "Michael," David Fear of Rolling Stone puts it this way:

"This isn't really a biopic. This is the Passion of St. Michael."

A classic success story with an uplifting tone: despite all the setbacks and his father's resistance, the son manages to break free. And in the end, the initial promise is fulfilled: the grand performance before a cheering crowd.

Jaafar Jackson is convincing as Michael Jackson

As with so many biopics since the success of the Queen film "Bohemian Rhapsody," biographical milestones from the period in question are dutifully ticked off one after another here. With as much effort as possible. Live performances look deceptively real, and music videos are perfectly recreated. That said, the abundant musical and dance sequences in "Michael" are particularly impressive. You can tell from every single movement—no matter how small—that Jaafar Jackson must have prepared meticulously for the performances. The newcomer delivers a compelling performance, especially considering this is his film debut.

His performance also impresses Liz Declan of ScreenRant, one of the few critics who gives the film a rave review:

"Jaafar Jackson as Michael is as close to resurrecting the King of Pop as a movie can get, and it's easy to forget that he isn't actually Michael Jackson."

The feet can't stand still

And yet this attention to detail is also symptomatic of a film adaptation that, despite all its perfection, falls short at a crucial point. The material drawn from Michael Jackson's life and work is diligently depicted—but scarcely penetrated. There are a few small moments that show the direction it could have taken. For instance, when Michael—still a child at the time—records a track in the studio for the first time and can't keep his feet still while singing—a magnificently staged preview of just how compelling the symbiosis of dance and song would be in Jackson's artistic work. Ultimately, however, the biopic only hints at how Michael Jackson became one of the greatest pop artists of the 20th century. Why his songs aren't just good. But sensational.

Unfortunately, it's not enough to rely on what David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter writes at the end of his favorable review about the film's sound:

"The music has never sounded louder or better."

Controversial Change

Above all, however, one very different aspect remains in the dark—one that led to "Michael" being the subject of controversy even before its release. An original version of the film also addressed the child abuse allegations against Michael Jackson. Specifically, it dealt with a case from 1993. However, the scenes in question were removed—as it turned out later, the original court settlement reportedly prohibits any film adaptation of the case. This led to costly reshoots. Now, not a word is said about these or other allegations. This is repeatedly viewed with particular criticism. Jake Coyle of The Associated Press puts it this way:

"The result is a kind of fantasy film, one that relives the extraordinary highs of Michael Jackson while turning a blind eye to the lows."

As director Antoine Fuqua has since revealed, the originally planned version would have shown how Jackson was "treated like an animal" during the raid on his Neverland Ranch. So it sounds as though the star would have been portrayed more as a victim. Especially since the "Estate of Michael Jackson," the estate of the musician who died in 2009, is involved in the film's production. As a result, an overly critical portrayal of Michael Jackson was never to be expected—whether in the original or the current version. Given this, the film must accept the criticism from film reviewers. Even if the movie theater isn't a courtroom: a bitter aftertaste remains.

Conclusion: The biopic about Michael Jackson has received extremely critical reviews. We agree: "Michael" is disappointing—despite the strong musical performances.

"Michael" opens in theaters on April 24, 2026.