After months and months of anticipation, the new Michael Jackson movie is finally in theaters! And trust us when we say, the film has plenty of people talking.
Despite what some critics have said, the general consensus from folks who’ve already seen it is that while it’s not a perfect biopic, it gives fans exactly what they wanted to see and is complete with immersive, musical moments and a stellar cast. In particular, more than a handful of celebs and influential folks have already tapped in to sing their praises for the film.
In a lengthy post to Instagram, Questlove expressed how he was initially hesitant and nitpicked various aspects of the film. But by the time he let himself just enjoy it, he was grateful that the project had done well in showcasing the man behind the myth of Michael Jackson.
“Honestly? I was hesitant. I’m emotionally invested, and I was holding my breath. But this project does the impossible: it strips away the spectacle and shows us the person. For the first time, we aren’t looking at the “THE KING”—we’re looking at a human being,” The Roots drummer said.
He continued, in part: It’s a side of him a lot of us seemed to forget after 1984.
I’ll admit, as a diehard, I started out taking notes: ‘Wrong year,’ ‘Song wasn’t out yet,’ ‘He didn’t wear that jacket until…’ But I eventually put my weapons down. Why? Because they captured the SOUL of it all & gave him back his humanity. If this is the final word on his legacy, showing his humanity was more important to me than any technical faux pas.”
Usher, who was also present at the Los Angeles premiere earlier in the week, also shared his thoughts on the film, writing on Instagram: “Antoine’s [Fuqua] direction and Graham King’s vision as producer brought so much care, depth, and respect to this story. You can feel it in the music, the performances, and in the spirit of who Michael was.”
Holly Robinson Peete, who portrayed Diana Ross in the popular miniseries, “The Jacksons: An American Dream” in 1992, called Michael’s nephew Jaafar (who plays the King of Pop in the new film) “perfection” on social media and said his costar Colman Domingo’s portrayal of Joe Jackson was on “another level.”
“Honey, Joe from Arkansas and Colman captured all of that Southern energy!! So do not listen to no tomatoes or nobody go see this movie because you will absolutely love it,” she wrote on Instagram.
Comedian KevOnStage also gave his review, adding that while the pacing was a bit off at times and you don’t walk away learning anything new, the film was an overall enjoyable experience, mostly because of Jaafar’s stellar performance.
“This movie is worth going to see if for no other reason than Jaafar Jackson’s performance. Jaafar Jackson is Michael. He is the best parts of the movie, once he touches the screen, it’s like ‘oh my God, I am looking at Michael Jackson walk, talk, sing, dance.’ He is Michael in every way,” Kev said.
And in case you were wondering how the film hits for the family themselves, then look no further than Michael’s own son, Prince (an executive producer), who recently gave an emotional interview for ABC News praising his cousin for embodying the essence of his father.
“I’m just blown away, I’m inspired, and I’m very proud,” he said of Jaafar. “The first time I saw him in person, in his hair and makeup, was really an emotional shock because I had not seen my father in a long time, and to see him–Jaafar just embodied him and brought him back in that moment.”
Michael’s older brother Jackie Jackson shared a similar experience, telling Entertainment Tonight recently, “I got so emotional because he became Michael on that screen and [it] brought tears to my eyes. And I couldn’t believe it, he’s incredible.”
As far as regular viewers go, one user expressed how he was instantly enraptured by the film and highlighted what stood out the most.
“I was catapulted into Michael’s emotionally trembling world within the first 5 minutes. Spectacular acting debut by Juliano and Jaafar, Colman’s menace is utterly terrifying. Tender connection between Mama K/baby Michael/older MJ. I felt Michael’s FEAR, despair & resilience Intensely. Medical overwhelmed my soul with Michael’s perspective,” they wrote on X/Twitter. “Narrative storytelling held superior touches. It’s the subtleties of Michael’s vulnerability, loneliness, revelatory build of a genius that is already etched deeply on my soul.”
Others on social media talked about how the film brought moviegoers together in the theater for one good time.
“I just watched Michael movie and it turned into one of the best moviegoing experiences I’ve had in my life. The audience was fully locked in from start to finish (dancing/fully enjoying themselves). It was magical. Jaafar Jackson is absolutely sublime in the role,” said another.
One other user noted: “My theatre went crazy over the Michael biopic. Jaafar Jackson had so much aura. There won’t ever be another Michael Jackson. Loved the Michael movie.
Added another, “the michael jackson movie was phenomenal bro, who ever that didn’t like it just simply doesn’t know ball.”
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.theroot.com ’
