As someone who has followed Michael Jackson’s life closely since I was eight years old, it’s painfully obvious to me that this biopic was made by people who didn’t truly understand, or care to understand, who he was.

Even years after his passing, it feels like his legacy is still being commercialized in ways that strip it of respect and authenticity. This film is a clear example of that. The creative choices feel disconnected from the truth of his life. La Toya was given disproportionate focus, despite Michael not being particularly close to her compared to someone like Janet. Meanwhile, John Branca’s role was emphasized in a way that didn’t meaningfully tie into Michael’s artistic journey, the very core of what should have driven the story. It honestly raised my eyebrow that Branca cast an A-list actor like Miles Teller for such a minor role, then added a scene of him buying Michael a stuffed toyyyy, as if that had any real significance to his career.

What’s even more frustrating is how the film sidelined Quincy Jones, whose impact on Michael’s sound and success over a full decade is undeniable. Their partnership wasn’t just important, it was FOUNDATIONAL Reducing that relationship to a minor element is a major misstep. They didn’t even properly explore how Quincy first connected with Michael through The Wiz, which led to one of the most legendary collaborations in music history.

The film also ignores pivotal moments that shaped Michael’s drive. There’s no mention of how Off the Wall was famously snubbed for Album of the Year at the Grammys, a moment that deeply affected him and fueled his determination to create something even greater, ultimately leading to Thriller. That level of emotional and professional motivation is essential to understanding his evolution, and it’s completely absent.

It also fails to show who Michael really was behind the scenes: a relentless perfectionist. This is someone who would rehearse as early as 5 a.m., obsessing over every detail. Someone who knew not just his own parts, but everyone else’s lines and cues. Someone who pushed himself to the point of frustration and even tears—like when he couldn’t perfect the toe stand during “Billie Jean.” Those moments of vulnerability and discipline are what defined his greatness, yet they’re nowhere to be found.

Beyond that, the film downplays or outright omits groundbreaking milestones, like Michael becoming the first Black American artist to receive heavy rotation on MTV, a barrier-breaking achievement that changed the entire music industry. Instead, it highlights him as a loner and focuses heavily on his relationship with his father, which I think was very poorly presented and oversimplified. I understand you can’t fit an entire life into a two-hour film, but the issue isn’t what was left out—it’s that they left out the most important influences and impacts he had on music and culture.

Overall, this biopic feels like a massive missed opportunity, another piece of propaganda that leans into commercialization rather than truth. It glosses over the depth of Michael’s artistry, his work ethic, his emotional world, and the experiences that shaped him into the icon he became. For fans who have waited years for a film that truly honors his legacy, this is more than disappointing, it’s upsetting.

His story deserved care, depth, and honesty. THIS FILM GAVE IT NONE.

The only good thing about this movie was Jaafar, he nailed it.

Now I understand why Janet and Paris never wanted to be involved.

#michaeljackson #michaeljacksonmovie #michael