From the debut of the Jackson 5 to the iconic Wembley Stadium stage, the film captures it all. Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, takes on the lead role, vividly recreating the atmosphere of the era.
Opening on the 13th, ‘Michael’ (directed by Antoine Fuqua) is a film that captures the legendary music and electrifying performances that shook the century as Michael Jackson (played by Jaafar Jackson), a born musical genius, rose to become the King of Pop. It is produced by Graham King, who was behind ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (2018), which captivated 9.94 million viewers in Korea.
The movie opens with a shot of Michael Jackson’s back as he heads toward the stage amidst roaring cheers, transitioning to a young Michael living in a small neighborhood in Indiana in 1966.
Under his poor and strict father, Joe Jackson (played by Colman Domingo), Michael practices singing and dancing daily with his brothers. He debuts as part of the Jackson 5 and gains worldwide fame after partnering with Motown Records, who recognized his innate genius.
As he grows, Michael seeks independence from his father. In this process, he successfully launches his solo career with ‘Off the Wall,’ a collaboration with legendary producer Quincy Jones. He then reaches an unprecedented milestone with ‘Thriller,’ which sold approximately 70 million copies, becoming the best-selling album in history.
Michael also succeeded in opening the doors of MTV, which had previously been closed to Black artists. Even when he didn’t need the promotion due to his massive popularity, his natural instinct led him to create the cinematic, high-quality ‘Thriller’ music video. This highlights his desire to create a positive social impact and his extraordinary passion for music, rather than just pursuing personal success.
Just as he thought he had escaped his father’s shadow, Michael faces another crisis. Due to Joe Jackson’s unilateral scheduling of tours and commercials for the Jackson 5, Michael suffered scalp burns when his hair caught fire during a commercial shoot. Despite this, after recovering, Michael returned to the stage, declared the end of the Jackson 5, and steadfastly pursued his path as a solo artist.
Born in 1958 and leaving us in 2009, Michael Jackson is known as the legend of legends and the undisputed “King of Pop,” continuing to be loved and inspire countless artists today.
‘Michael’ follows his journey from forming the Jackson 5 with his brothers at a young age to his most iconic early solo performance at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1988.
The film highlights everything from his world-captivating performances to his human side: staying in Peter Pan’s Neverland due to childhood abuse, his love for animals, his constant support for the underprivileged through donations to children’s burn centers, and his heartfelt fan service.
However, not everyone is praising the film. ‘Michael’ has received mixed reviews following its overseas release. Some critics argue that while it focuses heavily on his oppressed and abused childhood, it breezes through his musical genius, hard work, and inner struggles—such as his appearance complexes and vitiligo rumors—leaving the character feeling less three-dimensional and the story thin.
While those critiques are understandable, the joy of seeing Michael Jackson on screen again after 17 years outweighs the flaws. This is largely due to the universal power of music. Even for those unfamiliar with him, the feast of masterpieces that everyone has heard at least once will have you swaying in your seat, proving that great music is timeless.
With a caption reading “His story continues,” the film builds anticipation for a sequel. The immersive experience leaves viewers searching for Michael Jackson the moment the credits roll. All eyes are now on how Korean audiences will react. The film is rated 12+ with a runtime of 127 minutes.
