'Michael' movie review: Smooth criminal? Not quite

Biopics usually come with built-in rhythm, especially when the subject is someone like Michael Jackson. With Antoine Fuqua at the helm, known for hard-hitting dramas like Training Day and Southpaw, there is an expectation of weight and emotion. Instead, Michael struggles to find its pitch, never quite hitting the high notes it aims for.

The film unfolds like a Wikipedia page, covering everything from Michael’s early life to his 1988 UK tour, and everything in between. It moves point to point without rhythm or buildup, ticking off milestones rather than shaping a story. Moments that should feel defining come and go without impact, making the narrative feel flat and distant. Rather than drawing one into the journey, it plays like a supercut of key events with BTS, never quite settling long enough to say something meaningful.

Jaafar Jackson is the film’s strongest element, capturing his uncle’s physicality and presence with convincing ease. Followed by Colman Domingo as Joseph Jackson. The rest of the ensemble feels oddly cast, with performances that never quite fit. The casting choices raise questions, and at times even the prosthetics fail to convince. Technically, the film remains serviceable but unremarkable. The sequences blur together, lacking emotional weight or distinction. The music does much of the heavy lifting, but that strength belongs to Michael Jackson’s legacy rather than the film itself.

In the end, Michael feels like a missed opportunity. A story this iconic needed more soul, risk, and impact. For a film about the King of Pop, this one didn’t quite “rock my world”.

(The film is currently running in theatres)