‘Michael’ takes us through the King of Pop’s thrilling rise

By Carly Shaner

On April 24, the world was given a glimpse into the rise of Michael Jackson (played by Jaafar Jackson), the “King of Pop.” The movie follows Michael and the Jackson family from the start of the Jackson 5 in 1966 to the “Bad” Tour in 1988. A sequel is already in development that is set to follow the more musically and legally complex parts of Michael’s later life.

The first amazing thing about this movie is the soundtrack. It features hits by the Jackson 5 like “ABC” and Michael’s solo songs “Human Nature,” “Beat It,” “Thriller” and “Bad.” It makes Michael’s songs bigger, but only after he went solo; the movie doesn’t diminish the Jackson 5 and their hits.

There is a lot of focus on the settings and costumes. When they are in normal clothes, the main characters and extras wear era-accurate clothing. And when it comes time for Michael’s signature outfits, they appear almost identical to Michael himself 40 years ago.

Jaafar Jackson (Germaine Jackson’s son) shines as he takes on the role of his uncle. Colman Domingo brings the harsh reality of the boys’ father, Joseph Jackson. KeiLyn Durrel Jones plays Bill Bray, one of Michael’s trusted bodyguards. Miles Teller makes a short but impactful appearance as John Branca, Michael’s attorney as he goes solo.

When you’re not watching Michael sing or dance, the movie focuses on his loneliness, which increased alongside his rise to fame. His father knew he stuck out from his brothers since the Jackson 5 formed, and it wasn’t because of his age. Joseph Jackson saw his natural talent and purposely made him the main face of the Jackson 5.

This movie also focuses on family. The Jackson 5 was the start of those boys’ musical careers. It was Michael’s whole childhood. The movie shows us how Joseph was a strict, abusive father when they were kids, but how much his grip increased as they became more and more famous. Michael had a good, strong connection with his mother, but throughout the movie, he is clearly searching for a healthy father figure.

This movie also touches a great deal on the absence of Michael’s childhood. He’d been practicing and performing since he was ten. As he grew up and became famous, he used his money to try and reclaim the childhood he never had.

I do wish that there were more scenes included of the Jackson 5 and the relationship between the brothers when they were younger. The father’s abuse was harder on Michael since he was younger, but the audience isn’t told whether his brothers tried to make him feel better or comfort him at all.

Musically, there isn’t a lot of focus on the stories behind the songs in the “Thriller” album. It was one of his earliest albums, and is still the best-selling album of all time, but the movie never gets into the depth and details. The music is the clear centerpiece of the movie, but there are only snippets of Michael’s creative process.

This movie covers all the highs and lows of Michael Jackson’s rise to fame. Breaking away from his father, the loneliness that comes with being as famous as he was and so many of the dance moves we know and love. I had to keep myself from getting up to dance in the theater.

I give this movie a 8.5/10.

Images courtesy of GK Films and Lionsgate.

Carly Shaner is a senior Professional Writing and Information Design Major who can’t moonwalk no matter how hard she tries.

‘Michael’ is currently playing in theaters.