After months and months of anticipation, the new Michael Jackson movie <\/a>is finally in theaters! And trust us when we say, the film has plenty of people talking.<\/p>\n Despite what some critics have said,<\/a> the general consensus from folks who\u2019ve already seen it is that while it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n In a lengthy post to Instagram,<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly? I was hesitant. I\u2019m 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\u2019t looking at the \u201cTHE KING\u201d\u2014we\u2019re looking at a human being,\u201d The Roots drummer said.<\/a><\/p>\n He continued<\/a>, in part: It\u2019s a side of him a lot of us seemed to forget after 1984. Usher, who was also present at the Los Angeles premiere earlier in the week, also shared his thoughts on the film, writing on Instagram<\/a>: \u201cAntoine\u2019s [Fuqua] direction and Graham King\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Holly Robinson Peete, who portrayed Diana Ross in the popular miniseries, \u201cThe Jacksons: An American Dream\u201d in 1992, called Michael\u2019s nephew Jaafar (who plays the King of Pop in the new film) \u201cperfection\u201d on social media<\/a> and said his costar Colman Domingo\u2019s portrayal of Joe Jackson was on \u201canother level.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoney, 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,\u201d she wrote on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Comedian KevOnStage also gave his review, adding that while the pacing was a bit off at times and you don\u2019t walk away learning anything new, the film was an overall enjoyable experience, mostly because of Jaafar\u2019s stellar performance.<\/p>\n \u201cThis movie is worth going to see if for no other reason than Jaafar Jackson\u2019s performance. Jaafar Jackson is Michael. He is the best parts of the movie, once he touches the screen, it\u2019s like \u2018oh my God, I am looking at Michael Jackson walk, talk, sing, dance.\u2019 He is Michael in every way,\u201d Kev said<\/a>.<\/p>\n And in case you were wondering how the film hits for the family themselves, then look no further than Michael\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just blown away, I\u2019m inspired, and I\u2019m very proud,\u201d he said of Jaafar.<\/a> \u201cThe 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\u2013Jaafar just embodied him and brought him back in that moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael\u2019s older brother Jackie Jackson shared a similar experience, telling Entertainment Tonight<\/a> recently, \u201cI got so emotional because he became Michael on that screen and [it] brought tears to my eyes. And I couldn\u2019t believe it, he\u2019s incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n As far as regular viewers go, one user expressed how he was instantly enraptured by the film and highlighted what stood out the most.<\/p>\n \u201cI was catapulted into Michael\u2019s emotionally trembling world within the first 5 minutes. Spectacular acting debut by Juliano and Jaafar, Colman\u2019s menace is utterly terrifying. Tender connection between Mama K\/baby Michael\/older MJ. I felt Michael\u2019s FEAR, despair & resilience Intensely. Medical overwhelmed my soul with Michael\u2019s perspective,\u201d they wrote on X\/Twitter.<\/a> \u201cNarrative storytelling held superior touches. It\u2019s the subtleties of Michael\u2019s vulnerability, loneliness, revelatory build of a genius that is already etched deeply on my soul.\u201d<\/p>\n First thoughts on Michael movie:<\/p>\n \u2013 I was catapulted into Michael\u2019s emotionally trembling world within the first 5 minutes.<\/p>\n \u2013 spectacular acting debut by Juliano and Jaafar, Colman\u2019s menace is utterly terrifying. Tender connection between Mama K\/baby Michael\/older MJ <\/p>\n \u2013 I felt\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/RssVbG8dSV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 CatDance (@academiccatt) April 23, 2026<\/a>\n<\/div>\n Others on social media talked about how the film brought moviegoers together in the theater for one good time. <\/p>\n \u201cI just watched Michael movie and it turned into one of the best moviegoing experiences I\u2019ve 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,\u201d said<\/a> another.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll admit, as a diehard, I started out taking notes: \u2018Wrong year,\u2019 \u2018Song wasn\u2019t out yet,\u2019 \u2018He didn\u2019t wear that jacket until\u2026\u2019 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/assets-server.theroot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/29144231\/rootlogo410x94.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n