Michael

After surviving Bohemian Rhapsody, I was expecting another chaotic, sparknotes version of a legend, but this one actually got me a little emotional in a way I did not plan for. Growing up with Michael Jackson, this felt like unlocking a very specific childhood memory where you’re in your room attempting a moonwalk that looks medically concerning, fully convinced you’re about to change the music industry (or at least appear in 13 going on 30). The movie really taps into that feeling, that sense of “this person is not normal, this is something bigger.” And Jaafar Jackson somehow makes it feel real instead of just an impression, which is kind of wild. The performance scenes are where it fully clicked for me. There’s this rush of nostalgia and awe that sneaks up on you, like oh right, this is why he was him. I caught myself smiling like an idiot more than once. Yeah, it plays things safe, but honestly I didn’t mind as much as I thought I would. It’s more about the feeling than the full story, and that feeling really works. It’s warm, a little bittersweet, and very sincere. I didn’t walk away thinking “that was the definitive biopic,” but I did walk away thinking about being a kid again, rewinding songs, trying to hit moves I had no business attempting, and just being completely in awe. And that’s kind of enough for me.