The Michael Jackson biopic, “Michael,” is already feeling the heat of criticism from the media following its release in theaters. The movie, starring the late singer’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, was directed by Antoine Fuqua and explores the singer’s life up until 1988. The Jackson family has voiced support for the biopic amidst the media criticism.
Critics Slam “Michael” For Omissions
Rather than fans just debating the musical numbers, the current conversation is a heated tug-of-war between harsh media critics and the fiercely protective Jackson family. At the center of it all is a movie that attempts to capture the essence of a global superstar, starring none other than his own nephew, Jaafar Jackson.
Before general audiences can even buy their popcorn, early reviews have started pouring in, and the critical reception has been undeniably negative. Reviewers are blasting “Michael” for what they perceive as glaring omissions. The loudest complaints center around the movie’s timeline, which abruptly ends in 1988. By cutting the story off before the 1990s, critics argue that the filmmakers are purposefully skipping over the late singer’s heaviest controversies.
Specifically, reviewers are calling out the movie for completely failing to address the numerous sexual abuse allegations that dominated the latter half of the singer’s life. For critics, ignoring these allegations makes the film feel incomplete. By wrapping up the narrative in 1988, the biopic essentially bypasses the darkest chapters of the pop star’s public and private life, leaving media outlets frustrated by what they see as a sanitized version of history.
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The Jackson Family Fights Back for “Michael”
Despite the critical drubbing, the singer’s family is stepping up to bat, passionately defending the film against the media’s onslaught. Two of his nephews, TJ and Taj Jackson—sons of Tito Jackson and members of the musical group 3T—took to social media this week to voice their unwavering support for the biopic.
Taj was particularly vocal on Tuesday, directly calling out the press in a fiery thread. He made it clear that he believes the media no longer dictates his uncle’s legacy. Taj expressed that the public will finally get to watch this movie and make up their own minds, completely independent of the critics’ negative reception. He confidently stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the press simply “can’t handle that,” adding that he cannot wait until certain reviewers are forced to “eat crow.”
Embracing his frustration, Taj proudly admitted, “And yes I will be that petty.” TJ Jackson echoed his brother’s fierce loyalty. Ahead of a screening, Tito’s youngest son shared that he was heading to the theater to watch the movie several times, entirely out of pride. He described the atmosphere in the theater as an “electrifying energy” that he simply wouldn’t miss for anything. For TJ, the film is a deeply earned triumph for his cousin Jaafar Jackson, who plays the titular role.
A Hagiography or a Masterpiece? The Divide Over “Michael”
The divide between the family’s glowing pride and the media’s harsh rejection is perhaps best summarized by Rolling Stone critic David Fear. In his review of the film—a project that was notably years in the making—Fear didn’t hold back. He described the movie as an “unbelievable hagiography,” calling out specific moments, such as a scene where the singer’s lawyer boldly proclaims his belief that the artist will be the greatest.
According to Fear, per Rolling Stone, the project fundamentally fails as a standard biographical film. Fear said on Rolling Stone, “This isn’t really a biopic,” instead labeling the film as the “Passion of St. Michael.” Fear argued that the film was rendered with immense fidelity, placing a lot of emphasis on both the late singer’s suffering and talent. With the movie out now, the tension between the family’s emotional defense and the critics’ scathing reviews guarantees that “Michael” will be one of the most talked-about and debated theatrical releases of the year.
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