Michael (2026)
8.695 /10
3786 Reviews
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The story of Michael Jackson, one of the most influential artists the world has ever known, and his life beyond the music. His journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world, highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Michael
... Joseph Jackson
... Katherine Jackson
... Young Michael
... Bill Bray
User reviews
Given the whole slew of Jackson's involved in this stylish production, I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed by the hollowness of the whole thing. Certainly Jaafar Jackson has something of his uncle's charm and childlike vulnerability, but were we not to have known he was a member of the actual family then I'm not sure I'd have been that convinced by his acting characterisation away from the dance floor. In any case, we begin with his ten year old (or is that eight?) younger years; with the domestic brutality at the hands of their domineering father Joe (Colman Domingo) whilst powerless mother Katherine (Nia Long) looked on - but without ever really getting to appreciate the nature of the bond between the siblings (and there's no sign of Janet). Despite being a couple of hours long, by the time we get to the adult, snakes and llamas, phase of his life we seem to be hurrying things along without really learning of his relationship with Berry Gordy (Larenz Tate) or Quincy Jones (Kendrick Simpson) or agent/manager/pillar of support John Branca (Miles Teller). There can be no doubting that this Jackson is in his element in the studio and on the stage; his performances border on the mimicry - but with a freshness to them that reminds us that this lad has a little bit of je ne sais quoi all of his own, something he adds charismatically throughout. The film looks every bit as glitzy and innovative as the original performances were but without any depth. Indeed, it comes across more as a sort of highly-polished fanzine that takes us to "Bad" with the promise of more to come, but without us really knowing a great deal more about him than we could have read on Wikipedia. There is something maniacal about Domingo's effort that convinces, but otherwise perhaps those making this were too close to the subject matter to be truly objective about what made the man tick, and so I left the cinema having remembered a man I saw at Wembley in 1988 fondly, but not especially enlightened.
Reviews of
Michael
Given the whole slew of Jackson's involved in this stylish production, I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed by the hollowness of the whole thing. Certainly Jaafar Jackson has something of his uncle's charm and childlike vulnerability, but were we not to have known he was a member of the actual family then I'm not sure I'd have been that convinced by his acting characterisation away from the dance floor. In any case, we begin with his ten year old (or is that eight?) younger years; with the domestic brutality at the hands of their domineering father Joe (Colman Domingo) whilst powerless mother Katherine (Nia Long) looked on - but without ever really getting to appreciate the nature of the bond between the siblings (and there's no sign of Janet). Despite being a couple of hours long, by the time we get to the adult, snakes and llamas, phase of his life we seem to be hurrying things along without really learning of his relationship with Berry Gordy (Larenz Tate) or Quincy Jones (Kendrick Simpson) or agent/manager/pillar of support John Branca (Miles Teller). There can be no doubting that this Jackson is in his element in the studio and on the stage; his performances border on the mimicry - but with a freshness to them that reminds us that this lad has a little bit of je ne sais quoi all of his own, something he adds charismatically throughout. The film looks every bit as glitzy and innovative as the original performances were but without any depth. Indeed, it comes across more as a sort of highly-polished fanzine that takes us to "Bad" with the promise of more to come, but without us really knowing a great deal more about him than we could have read on Wikipedia. There is something maniacal about Domingo's effort that convinces, but otherwise perhaps those making this were too close to the subject matter to be truly objective about what made the man tick, and so I left the cinema having remembered a man I saw at Wembley in 1988 fondly, but not especially enlightened.
I super duper enjoyed the movie. It really brought back the Michael Jackson back from the grave. The fans of the whole wide world loved it. Antoine Fuqua did an excellent job not bringing the controversial of Michael Jackson. Just focusing uprising to the fame. I don't care what the critics say. Go and watch the movie yourself. Jaafar Jackson & Colman Domingo did excellent in the movie. my rating for the movie 9.5/10. You won't regret it from watching it all over again. Especially on IMAX format.
_**A FABULOUS CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE**_
No matter how many times you watch it, the movie gets even better if you're a Michael Jackson fan. It offers a fast-paced look at the early life of the King of Pop without making it rushed. Basically tells how he became the King of Pop and what it took him to become that famous globally, including the abuse by his father and struggles with his lost childhood and appearance.
Despite enjoying Bohemian Rhapsody more in terms of its length and structure, Michael still offers a fresh look at his life, though a Bohemian Rhapsody structure would've made it even better, and most importantly, the runtime.
The film is only like 127 minutes while BoRhap clocked at 134 minutes, that was quite concerning because the film is not even 2 hours flat excluding the end credits, somehow that still felt better to me and that people with low attention span can enjoy it in theaters easily, especially the newer Tik-Tok generation.
Story: 8.2/10 (Well-written with humoristic content as well)
Pacing: 7.1/10 (Fast but not rushed, well done for newer gen citizens)
Structure: 5.3/10 (Too linear and less attractive at times)
Acting: 8/10 (Well-done, Colman, Juliano, Jaafar, Nia, and Miles nailed it)
Accuracy: 9.1/10 (Better timeline than Bohemian Rhapsody)
Exploration: 4.8/10 (Explores like a Wikipedia page and doesn't adds anything unique or unheard about Michael's life)
Drama: 8.9/10 (Well-done and executed perfectly)
Soundtrack: 7.3/10 (More of a greatest hits one by one but perfect picks)
CGI: 6.5/10 (Can feel distracting, especially with Bubbles, but doesn't ruins the experience)
Dancing: 9.8/10 (Literally a masterpiece, no flaws)
Cinematography: 7.5/10 (Feels crispy, though sometimes like specifically shot for newer gen)
Ending: 8.8/10 (Gives enough time to let audience prepare for Part Two, and ends on a high note)
Overall: 7.6/10 (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
7/10. Entertaining but basic. Nothing new but it's great for beginners of Michael Jackson's catalog. Except there's a lot more info on the great Bubbles. If there is a Part 2, definitely more of Bubbles please.
Cast & Crew of
Michael
Cast
... Michael
... Joseph Jackson
... Katherine Jackson
... Young Michael
... Bill Bray
... John Branca
... Berry Gordy
... Suzanne de Passe
... Walter Yetnikoff
... Quincy Jones
... Marlon Jackson
... Tito Jackson
... Jackie Jackson
... LaToya Jackson
... Don King
... Young Tito Jackso
... Young Jermaine Jackson
... Young Marlon Jackson
... Young Jackie Jackson
... Gladys Knight
... Jermaine Jackson
... Record Company Excecutive
... Record Company Excecutive
... Brandon
... Young LaToya Jackson
... Nurse Bernadette
... Plastic Surgeon
... Commercial Director
... Toy Store Woman
... Animal Handler
... Reporter
... Girl at Country Fair
... Postal Worker
... Oncology Nurse
... Hospital Kid (Michael)
... Hospital Kid (Curtis)
... Hospital Kid (John)
... Hospital Kid (Rudy)
... Senior Partner
... Senior Partner
... Toy Store Kid
... Shy Girl
... Bodyguard
... Gang Member
... Gang Member
... Gang Member
... Gang Member
... Gang Member
... Gang Member
... Gang Member
... Gang Member
... Gang Member
... Gang Member
... "Thriller" Girlfriend
... Assistant Director
... John Landis
... Yetnikoff Secretary
... EMT
... Dr. Harley (Burn Doctor)
... Greenroom Reporter
... Sheryl Crow - 'Bad' Backup Singer
... Darryl Phinnessee - 'Bad' Backup Singer
... Dorian Holley - 'Bad' Backup Singer
... Kevin Dorsey - 'Bad' Backup Singer
... Jennifer Batten (uncredited)
... Victory Tour Crew Member (uncredited)
... Backstage Tour Guest
Crew
... Producer
... Producer
... Producer
... Writer
... Director of Photography
... Production Design
... Director
... Hair Department Head
... Makeup Department Head
... Executive Producer
... "A" Camera Operator
... First Assistant "A" Camera
... Digital Imaging Technician
... Digital Imaging Technician
... Camera Loader
... "B" Camera Operator
... Script Supervisor
... Aerial Director of Photography
... Casting
... Casting
... Special Effects Makeup Artist
... Special Effects Makeup Artist
... Special Effects Makeup Artist
... Special Effects Makeup Artist
... Production Supervisor
... Second Second Assistant Director
... Second Assistant Director
... First Assistant Director
... Stunt Coordinator
... Gaffer
... Casting Associate
... Supervising Art Director
... Costume Design
... Second Unit First Assistant Director
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Visual Effects Producer
... Publicist
... Editor
... Editor
... Stunt Double
... Original Music Composer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Music
... First Assistant Director
... Editor
... Editor
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Visual Effects Producer
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Animation Supervisor
... Animation Supervisor
... Executive Visual Effects Producer
... Executive Visual Effects Producer
... Visual Effects Producer
... Visual Effects Producer
... Visual Effects Producer
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Key Costumer
... Compositing Supervisor
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Animation Supervisor
... Title Designer
... Executive Music Producer
... Music Supervisor
... Makeup Designer
... Unit Production Manager
... Unit Production Manager
... Stunt Driver
... Post Production Supervisor
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Associate Editor
... Set Decoration
... Art Direction
... Art Direction
... Art Direction
... Prosthetic Designer
... Steadicam Operator
... Second Assistant "C" Camera
... Second Assistant "A" Camera
... "C" Camera Operator
... First Assistant "C" Camera
... First Assistant "B" Camera
... Second Assistant "B" Camera
... "D" Camera Operator
... First Assistant "D" Camera
... Second Assistant "D" Camera
... Camera Loader
... Camera Loader
... Still Photographer
... Additional Editor
... Additional Editor
... Assistant Editor
... Assistant Editor
... Video Assist Operator
... Production Sound Mixer
... Boom Operator
... Boom Operator
... Utility Sound
... Utility Sound
... Playback Coordinator
... Chief Lighting Technician
... Assistant Chief Lighting Technician
... First Company Grip
... Second Company Grip
... Rigging Grip
... Rigging Grip
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