The movie Michael revives the meaning behind the name Michael Jackson (MJ). The biopic titled “Michael” takes viewers on a journey through the life of Jackson and covers the first half of his life as a star. The movie features Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jafaar Jackson, bringing to life the events of Jackson’s story, from being a childhood star to a global sensation.
The biopic starts with a look into the early parts of his career, bringing awareness to the way he was abused and exploited by his father, Joe Jackson. It covers the beginning of the sensational group that would become the Jackson 5 and later raises the star that was (MJ).
When the name Michael Jackson is brought into conversation, most people find themselves putting a focus on his cause of death; however, the life of Jackson is far more interesting. The biopic has raised interest in his life, as his death had left the public in shock; the details of his stardom have sparked a renewed fascination with the life of Jackson.
His album, Thriller, has quickly risen on the music charts, with Billie Jean currently sitting at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was at an even higher number closer to the movie release date, though it has been knocked down by DRAKE’s new album, Iceman, which features a photo of the artist wearing Jackson’s iconic jeweled glove.
During the peak of his career, Jackson was considered one of the greatest stars in the world and is still titled the “King of Pop” by many fans, having 13 singles hit number one on the Billboard Top 100.
The biopic showcases many things, and while one will most likely find themselves smiling throughout the movie, it also conveys a deeper meaning, highlighting the economic, racial, and family struggles that Jackson faced. One Northwest High School (NWHS) student, freshman Malena Herrera, found the movie to be an enlightening experience, stating, “The movie was very well made, very eye-opening to how MJ grew up, and inspirational for young singers. I very much recommend watching,” said Herrera.
While MJ was extremely talented, he faced racism in the workplace. Opportunities and advertisements were more difficult to come by as a young black artist in the 1970s, but great talent rises, and as he continued to sing and make music, he gained a hard-earned platform to share his message about equality.
During his life of stardom, Jackson did plenty of charity work and believed heavily in advocating for equality.“I have to shine my light, to spread love and joy, to heal; that’s my destiny. I truly believe that,” said Jackson. He donated an estimated 300-500 million to various charities.
“The movie was very endearing; you almost feel maternal while watching the movie; his kindness is a large factor in his representation,” said freshman Izzy Banks.
While there is still more to the story of Jackson, the biopic Michael did a wonderful job of representing the first half of his story. The remaining half is to be represented in the second part of the biopic, which is set to begin filming in late 2026 or early 2027. The title is not yet confirmed, though the quality is sure to be as wonderful as the last.
