Michael
The movie literally opens with the famous “hee hee," what more can you ask for?
But unfortunately, there should have been more, so much more to this movie than just the “hee hee.” This is Jaafar Jackson’s movie. He owns it. He’s so good that it’s not really Michael’s movie anymore. The five stars I’m giving this, and the reason I’ll NEVER, EVER forget this movie, is Jaafar Jackson.
If you’ve ever seen an old music video of Michael, you’ll have a hard time reminding yourself that it’s not really him in the movie. Jaafar gave this role his all, and it shows. It’s his movie, not Michael’s story, not his struggle, not his rise to fame. It’s Jaafar Jackson’s brilliance.
But Jaafar Jackson’s legendary acting is not the only reason this feels like his movie. It’s also partly because, storytelling wise, this was weak. It’s the kind of movie that plays on the surface, that relies on the glitter of Michael’s life. It feels like the movie is scared of its own depth, the depth it could’ve explored if it had chosen to.
There are times the film almost touches the controversial, deep, tormented parts of Michael’s life, but then it quickly pulls away with a song, like it’s trying to make you forget that his life wasn’t all glitter. I really, really wish it had done that, shown us the things that truly made or broke him. But instead, it just scratches the surface, too scared to explore.
Is that understandable? Yes. Because who wants to offend the fanbase of probably the biggest rockstar ever and hurt their movie’s success? I wouldn’t. That’s exactly why this is not a movie about Michael Jackson. This is about the brilliance of Jaafar Jackson.