by Evan L. Jackson
The second Jafaar Jackson appears on screen as his King of Pop Michael Jackson you are floored by not only the uncanny resemblance, soft spoken voice and of course electric charisma. Jafaar Jackson embodies his iconic uncle in 'Michael' on what is already tracking to be the biggest box office weekend for a biopic. Colman Domingo plays the chilling patriarch, Joe Jackson, the overbearing father who made the icon but also is the catalyst to his tormented life. What surprises me is that every other supporting character just fades in the background or is barely given any room to even serve as a foil to Michael's professional ascension to greatness but also his personal turmoil. From Nia Long's Katherine Jackson performance, as Michael Jackson's mother, feeling stunted emotionally but also silenced with the little dialogue she had. To the tiny scenes we got here and there of Quincy Jones or Berry Gordy. This is understandable as far as the context of the film, having the third act of it having to be reshoot because of legal ramifications connected to the allegations. Even to the point of scenes cut from the film like ones that involved Diana Ross, played by actress Kat Graham, were all cut. Kat said because of "legal considerations" , saying this via her social media. Hence, the editing felt choppy and didn't allow an emotional buildup to the most iconic moments which were recreated in this biopic. But this an entertaining and crowd pleasing film that not even a saddled and sanitized script could ever damper Michael Jackson's superstar & one of a kind charisma and catalog of songs.
Jafaar Jackson takes on the tall task of not only portraying Michael Jackson but following his up and down journey into stardom. You see the frustration of Michael as he grows older wanting to confront his father but too scared to, the psychological scars left from his childhood is still apparent. Left without a childhood it appears Michael Jackson was born to be a star and nothing in between. But that wasn't explored enough in the film to tug at your heartstrings enough to call this biopic one of the greatest. The buildup to the Thriller music video is anticlimactic and glossed over, almost like just another hit song for Michael Jackson and not the mega hit phenomenal it still is to this day. The audience isn't allowed to sit in the pocket of Jafaar's performance because we are just so enamored with the reimagaination of Michael Jackson on screen. But is there a there, there? What I'm saying is beyond the initial awe where is the connective tissue to Jafaar's performance as Michael in relation to the outside world or cultural touch points that defined him through eye's of the public. Once again the script and lack of exploration hobbles the film but you can't wait to tap your foot in anticipation of the next song or the "duh, duh, dudu, duh" that is the opening salvo of the film. With those not familiar, that's the beginning of "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".
If this movie is a meal then the supporting characters are simply parsley. Placed perfectly and strategically postioned to make the main part of it, Michael, look great but adding no nutritional value to the emotional weight of the film. We almost get there with Berry Gordy (a waste of scenes from the talented veteran actor because of how little he's used) talking to a young Michael Jackson, played by the brilliant Juliano Valdi, but its undercut by the presence of Joe Jackson. No other supporting character is given the grace to have a great scene with Jafaar Jackson as Michael. Which is a shame. The movie is carefully crafted by the Jackson family but it encloses Michael in a glass case of isolation, making him a character in his own film rather than a complex human being who he really was.
Colman Domingo in every performance he delivers gives an emotional gut punch yet in this its undercut by the script he's given. Yes, he's terrifying at first as Joe Jackson and his performance is good but it still feels hamstrung. It still doesn't feel fleshed out in the long run. Maybe that was the point of the film, having Joe Jackson as the main obstacle of Michael Jackson. But throughout the film his presence tends to become less terrifying and more of a caricature of itself, undermining the premise of the film.
The coolest part of this film is Michael Jackson getting his inspirations for his iconic hits from classics of yesteryear. From Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly in 'Singing In The Rain', Charlie Chapin and many more. He was a student of pop culture and to take all of that to become the greatest pop act is truly a marvel. His isolated nature insulated him from the world, from having friends, but at the cost of that he gave us many moments to enjoy.
A very pivotal scene in 'Michael' was also a highlight for me. At one point Michael says "I am a proud Black artist" in reference to wanting his music videos be seen on MTV. As history shows, MTV did not play any Black artists on their channel. This was historic in the music world and ushered in Black artists being able to have their music videos be seen on MTV, including Hip Hop which was an emerging genre coming into its own at the time.
Overall 'Michael' is an entertaining crowd pleaser that leans on nostalgia. Which isn't a bad thing considering Michael Jackson provided many in his lifetime to us and literally was the soundtrack for many generations. Although it has a toothless script that doesn't dive deep whatsoever audiences will love this film. This plays as an instant concert film where every few minutes you sing and definitely dance in your seat. 'Michael" will continue to wow fans and those wanting more...history continues with a tease of a part two. Let us moonwalk into that one once it comes to theaters.
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