Michael Lights Up the Screen

John M. Delia Jr
1 day ago
3 min read

An amazing adventure through the life of Michael the king of pop, that guides you through the years with his family, and his time beyond. Everything is exposed including the turmoil between Michael and his father and how he pushes back to eventually become his own. This magnificent film blends his music with his story and drives it home.

Beginning with Michael and the Jackson Five’s and moving through the years where they eventually played their last concert together. These marvelous musicians pleased everyone and brought wild crowds that loved them very much. Making life for Michael secluded and private to the point where he never had friends of his own.

At a young age Michael (Juliano Krue Valdi) was forced to practice with his brothers every day. Sometimes even right after they had a gig, is when their father Joe Jackson (Colman Domingo), would insist on perfection. This was not fun for Michael, nor his older brothers, Jermaine (Jayden Harville), Marlon (Jaylen Lyndon Hunter), Tito (Judah Edwards), and Jackie (Nathaniel Logan McIntyre) who were also not thrilled either. In their house a Jackson looked out for a Jackson and that is what their father was demanding on them. His childhood ended very quickly, music was everything for them and the family's only way out of Gary, Indiana. Which did not allow Michael to have a chance to be a child, and this worried his mother, Katherine Jackson (Nia Long). His biggest dream was to have real friends that appreciated him and not for his talent, but with his fame this became impossible.

As time went on Michael’s (Jaafar Jackson) fame pushed him farther away from the band that still included the others, Jermaine (Jamal R. Henderson), Marlon (Tre Horton), Tito (Rhyan Hill), Jackie (Joseph David-Jones), his older sister LaToya (Jessica Sula), and most of all his father. His new friends were now the music business and that included, John Branca (Miles Teller), an entertainment lawyer and manager, Bill Bray (KeiLyn Durrel Jones) Michael's bodyguard, Walter Yetnikoff (Mike Myers), head of CBS records, record producers, Quincy Jones (Kendrick Sampson), Berry Gordy (Larenz Tate), and Suzanne de Passe (Laura Harrier).

Developing an Oscar winning production is a lot of work but director Antoine Fuqua might have a shot in a few categories with this film. Antoine blended in outstanding music, sound, and performance with astounding special effects and make-up, to bring this epic narrative alive. All details that were included, helped lead us up to the final conclusion, allowing everyone to see what this icon actually went through. The re-creation of the famed Pepsi commercial that led to Michael’s major head injury was spectacularly developed and displayed on screen perfectly. It actually presented the truth about what this major star went through during this incident. Lastly, Fuqua arranged a fantastic cast that assembled a believable storyline that eventually left me in awe.

This wonderful presentation on the life of Michael is worth watching at your local theater, especially in the IMAX format. The music will bring you back to a time when everyone loved to hear what he was going to bring us and how it was going to make us feel. His love for others with his songs and private donations to help the misfortunate is put on display for everyone else to see.

Final Comment: I based my grade on the breathtaking storyline, sensational make-up and special effects, exceptional interpretation from the actors, and of course the greatest music we all loved.

Stars 4.25 out of 5