The Star-Studded ‘Michael’ Movie Review

Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” is back on stage, well, kind of. Michael, a 2-hour and 7-minute film, is jam-packed with moments that showcase “the birth of a superstar” and the essence of MJ. 

The Michael film is star-studded, filled with the joy and essence of the star. The actors bring so much life to their characters. Notably, the late Michael Jackson is played by his own nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who is wonderful in the film. Jaffar worked tremendously to portray MJ and bring him to life. Through a rigorous audition process, learning choreography and lines, the first-time actor truly showcased his talents throughout the film. 

Other highlights include Colaman Damingo, who plays Joe Jackson, a stern, heavy-lifting, and traditionally strict father who seeks fame and revenue through his sons, pushing them to become The Jackson 5 at an early age. Domingo truly transformed in this role alongside Nia Long, who plays Katherine Jackson, the mother of the talented Jackson children, who is earnest, kind, a safeguard, and a true, caring person. This film also introduces Juliano Valdi, who performed an amazing portrayal of young Michael Jackson. Juliano captured the youth, bright-eyed spirit, and innocent mannerisms of the star.  To wrap up this spectacular cast, this story would not be complete without KeiLyn Durell Jones as Bill Bray, Michael Jackson’s security guard for many years. Bill was truly a lifeguard for Michael, a father figure and anchor throughout the film, which connected with many audiences. 

Opening weekend brought huge success for the Michael film. With a $217m global launch since Wednesday, the movie has set a new record for the biggest worldwide opening weekend for any biopic. It easily surpassed the previous record-holder, 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody ($124m), and beat the $133m opening taken by 2024’s Oppenheimer. 

This movie has truly brought a new light to MJ fans who have been missing his presence for years. The younger generation is excited as well, with social media trends skyrocketing and music being played across for-you pages and music apps. The Blake Beat enjoyed reviewing Michael and hopes Bengals go out and support the movie!