Here's the Real Reason Behind Michael’s Dismal Reviews

Alright, let’s talk about Michael—the big-deal Michael Jackson biopic that looked like it might finally break away from the pack of recent, usually ho-hum musician movies. Between heavyweight director Antoine Fuqua ('Training Day'), the blessing (and heavy involvement) of the Jackson family, and casting Michael’s own nephew (Jaafar Jackson) as the man himself, expectations were sky-high. On paper, this had all the juice to capture not just MJ’s legendary stage presence but maybe, just maybe, get at the actual person underneath the sequined glove.

But here’s where things get awkward: the first critic reviews are abysmal, bordering on brutal. We’re talking a 31% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes (after starting off even worse at 27%) with just under a hundred reviews in. Regardless of how you feel about Rotten Tomatoes (IMHO: ratings aren’t gospel, but that’s a big red flag), the consensus is crystal clear: critics are not impressed. Let's break down what went sideways—and why folks hoping for a deep-dive into MJ's real life shouldn’t hold their breath.

1. Less 'Biopic,' More 'Greatest Hits' Playlist

The single biggest gripe is that this movie feels less like a biopic and more like, well, a flashy, feature-length music video. Sure, everyone expects a Michael Jackson movie to lay heavy on the music, but a bunch of critics point out the entire thing comes off like an extended tribute concert instead of a story about a guy with one of the strangest, most scrutinized lives in pop culture.

'Make no mistake about it: "Michael" isn’t a movie. It’s a filmed playlist in search of a story.'
— Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com

In other words, if you wanted a movie with substance about Michael Jackson the person—not just the performer—you’ll probably be disappointed.

2. A Movie That Cuts Itself in Half (No, Really)

I’ll be blunt: the film just stops cold after Michael’s famous Bad tour in the late 1980s. No, seriously—it wraps up right as things get actually interesting (and, yeah, messy). Apparently, the plan is to do a sequel. Problem is, what's here feels more like Part 1 of a miniseries instead of a complete movie. So if you’re hoping for a deep, self-contained biopic, you don’t get one. Critics aren’t crazy about this, calling it unbalanced and unfinished—this is supposed to be the life of Michael Jackson, not 'MJ: The Early Years.'

3. The Legend Gets Airbrushed (Hard)

This is where things take a weird turn. You won’t find even a slightly flawed Jackson here. Since his family is all over the production, the movie just paints him as some sort of pop music saint—far from the complex, deeply troubled human being people wanted to see explored. There’s zero mess, zero contradiction, and zero curiosity for what actually made Michael—well, Michael.

'Michael‘s deification of its subject makes it hard to enjoy the film as anything other than a work of devotional art or camp of the highest level.'
— Joe George, Den of Geek

So, if you were hoping for even a sliver of the real-life struggles, mistakes, or anything close to actual drama, don’t expect it.

4. Dodges All the Hard Stuff About Michael Jackson

Let’s get one thing straight: the movie completely ignores the ugly, painful chapters. The allegations, lawsuits, and controversies aren't just downplayed—they’re nowhere to be found. You’ll see none of the deeply disturbing, career-defining scandals that have followed Jackson for decades. The film’s happy to relive the tours and chart-toppers, but once Jackson’s life and reputation get complicated, the movie hits eject.

'The film turns the realities of a tragic, deeply complicated life into a sanitized popcorn film.'
— Derek Smith, Slant Magazine

5. Characters That Barely Register as People

• Michael (Jaafar Jackson): Treated almost like a symbol, not a person. No interior life, no personal struggle, just the myth.
• Joe Jackson (Colman Domingo): Pretty much a cartoon villain—no shades of gray, no real exploration of what their relationship was like.
• The Rest of the Family: Barely there. Janet Jackson (who declined to be in the film) is basically missing, and everybody else is in the background, rarely getting more than a passing glance.

Bottom line: most of the real people in Michael’s life are so flattened they should be on a billboard instead of a movie screen.

6. Uninspired Storytelling — Even the Timeline Feels Off

Even if you just want an entertaining ride through Jackson’s early years, the movie stumbles with some bizarre jumps in time, awkward pacing, and scenes that feel disconnected. In trying to cover two decades in under three hours, Michael ends up being strangely tedious, despite the wild source material. It’s almost impressive how a life this dramatic could be made boring, but here we are.

Is There Anything Good About It?

Credit where it’s due: the music performances look and sound great, and there’s real energy in the way the classic tunes are staged. But for anyone wanting more than a sanitized MJ nostalgia trip—sorry, you’re out of luck. Maybe the (planned?) sequel will get into the complicated stuff, but for now, Michael is all sparkle and no soul.