Michael Review | 3BG At the Movies

In this episode of 3BG at the Movies, hosts Michael and Sue deliver a candid, passionate review of the biopic 'Michael,' a film centered on the life and legacy of Michael Jackson. While acknowledging the movie's strengths—particularly its electrifying concert sequences, strong performances (especially Jafar Jackson as Michael), and the effective recreation of iconic moments like the Motown 25 performance and the 'Thriller' music video—the hosts express deep disappointment in its narrative omissions. They argue that the film rushes through key chapters of Jackson’s life, skipping crucial relationships with mentors like Quincy Jones, Barry Gordy, and Lionel Richie, as well as pivotal moments such as the making of 'Off the Wall,' 'Thriller,' and 'Bad,' and the controversial Victory Tour. The absence of figures like Jeffrey Daniels, Boogaloo Shrimp, and Frank DeLeo, along with the erasure of the Wiz and early solo albums, is seen as a major flaw. The hosts also critique the film’s sanitized portrayal of Jackson’s childhood trauma and the lack of exploration into his mental and emotional development, especially regarding vitiligo and plastic surgery. Despite these shortcomings, they concede the film delivers a powerful dopamine hit for fans and captures the aura of Michael Jackson, making it a crowd-pleaser at the box office. They ultimately rate it a 6/10, praising its ambition but lamenting what could have been in a longer, more comprehensive version.