A somewhat flat biopic that still shines thanks to incredible music and strong performances by the leads. Like most biopics, the plot essentially following the subject from humble beginnings to the height of super stardom to some type of fall. However, here the film only covers the first part of that journey, skipping out on the very public fall from grace of Michael Jackson and halfheartedly promising to save that story for another day. While it allows the start of the movie to be engaging, the final half feels like its building towards an arbitrary stopping point. The film is anchored by a strong performance by Colman Domingo and Michael’s nephew Jaafar, who in his first acting role, is able to impressively reproduce many of the traits that made his uncle a one-of-a-kind performer while also humanizing him in ways that help shed light on why he ended up the way he did both personally and professionally. Even though the seeds are planted to the darker path Michael’s story would take, the film not only stops before things get to that point, but it also fails to bring up any mention of the terrible allegations that plagued his later career. The movie benefits greatly from having songs from Michael and The Jackson 5 as its soundtrack. Even though most of the musical moments fit the story, they do occasionally overindulge themselves and let some of the numbers go on longer than needed, which makes them feel like fan service as opposed to telling a story.
*** out of *****