Michael: Movie Review

Cast: Jafaar Jackson, Nia Long, Colman Domingo, Laura Harrier
Director: Antoine Fuqua

After much anticipation and amid rumours of substantial reshoots and accusations of fairytale storytelling, the drama of Michael Jackson's life is finally here.

Played by his nephew Jaafar Jackson, the film focuses on Michael's time in the Jackson 5, his relationship with his father (Domingo) and his attempts to break out to become a solo star.

It's perhaps befitting the film starts by blasting out 'Want to be starting sobething' before racing breakneck speed through Jackson's life from humble beginnings and belt-whuppings from his dad in Gary, Indiana to his own emancipation from the yokel of the tyranny of his father.

In between it all are a plethora of favourite songs from the Jackson oeuvre, performed with gusto by Jafaar and which will no doubt leave fans in ecstasy at their faithfulness.

But here's the rub of the film - not once does it stop to give anything close to depth throughout.

Unless it's to Jackson himself. 

Witness his full-frame close ups as he pines for freedom; take in his Princess Diana-like visiting to other burns victims after the Pepsi commercial leaves him on fire. The list of propaganda-led moments for the little lost boy is endless and yet never quite engaging enough to those looking for depth.