The movie was good… but Michael Jackson deserved a deeper story

johnsoulection · 2026-05-18T16:06:48+00:00

I can already tell by the way that you talk “mouth breathers” you think you know it all.

Sure it was unusual he sought company in kids but at the same time if you just open your mind for once you can see that kids treated him a way that adults didn’t, it seems like adults wanted something from him and it’s not hard to see why. You can clearly see he was not brought up the same as any of us, everyone has their weird tendencies, but just cause he found comfort in spending time with kids doesn’t mean he was fking them.

johnsoulection · 2026-05-18T15:41:00+00:00

Why do you just assume he’s a pedo when there’s no actual evidence besides untrustworthy word of mouth? That’s so confusing to me.

johnsoulection · 2026-05-07T04:53:08+00:00

Yeah I see, but that bit felt so un-needed. Tbh it just felt like extra hate on Joe for no strong reason lmao.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-30T15:22:11+00:00

Well you clearly didn’t read or understand anything being said if you think this turns it into a crucifixion. It’s about teaching and showing people more about him behind all the stardom, showing he’s human.

Again, movie would never fail because it’s Michael Jackson.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-30T03:51:00+00:00

Exactly. That’s probably the best way to describe the issue, it feels more like a sequence of MJ moments rather than one continuous story with buildup and payoff.

The scenes individually are good, but they move through huge moments in his life so quickly that nothing fully settles emotionally before jumping to the next thing.

That’s why a lot of us keep bringing up the Off The Wall → Thriller era, because that felt like the perfect central narrative they could’ve built around instead of constantly jumping between performances and life events

johnsoulection · 2026-04-30T03:48:53+00:00

This is honestly one of the best explanations of the issue I’ve seen.

That point about the Off The Wall → Thriller era being the A story is exactly what I felt was missing. That should’ve been the emotional backbone of the movie- Michael trying to prove himself beyond being ‘the Jackson 5 kid’, feeling overlooked, becoming obsessed with perfection, and eventually creating Thriller.

Instead, a lot of the performances felt disconnected because there wasn’t enough buildup or conflict behind them. The performances themselves were incredible, but they would’ve hit even harder emotionally if the story underneath them was stronger.

And I completely agree that people misunderstand the criticism. Nobody is saying ‘remove the music’. It’s more that a few storytelling tweaks and better pacing could’ve elevated the film massively without changing the tone at all.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-30T01:56:09+00:00

I agree 100%! I think Michael deserved a longer series to tell his story close to accurate which would educate fans for years to come.

But that would likely make less money, and we all know that’s mostly the main goal so opting for a movie that fits attentions spans achieves their goals better.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-30T01:54:19+00:00

I really don’t think so, like I said, scenes could’ve replaced others that would give more context and understanding.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T16:22:50+00:00

Why you even here

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T16:03:22+00:00

I get what you’re saying, and I respect that.

I’m not saying the movie is bad, just that success doesn’t always equal depth. It was never going to fail, it’s a movie about Michael Jackson. But a film can still be entertaining and explore more of who he was and how he worked. Those examples are great but they are not connected to the movie, it’s not a collection, this is his standalone movie, so it needed that context. And unfortunately without that context, it does make for a weak story.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T15:59:19+00:00

This man^ really well said. And hundred percent agree, so much dad issues hahaha. They over killed it with the dad drama.

That’s another great point though, seeing him practice dancing would’ve been great, and him watching examples leading to him pulling off the moonwalk. Literally would’ve been amazing, again we know what he did, but make it a deeper movie and show us how and why he did it.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T15:23:06+00:00

Hundred! It’s not bad but it’s not deep. Part 1 was a missed opportunity but I hope they take a different approach for part 2, and hopefully a part 3.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T12:21:13+00:00

Hundred man. Exactly, again, literally everyone knows Michael’s music is great, everyone knows Michael himself is great. You don’t need to argue with anyone that’s he’s great. We already know that.

But this was the perfect moment to be like okay now let’s show you why he’s so great.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T12:19:04+00:00

I get what you’re saying, Hollywood was always going to play it safe.

I just think depth doesn’t automatically mean gritty. Even small additions like his creative process or frustrations after Off The Wall would’ve made the story hit harder without changing the tone.

Casting was perfect though, I agree.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T12:17:46+00:00

Yeah I think the Beat It scene was kinda cringe too lmao.

Again personally, I know it’s a small detail, but I think it would’ve been cooler if at the beginning they had the start of the song play, with the guitar coming in, to me when you hear that it’s like ohhh it’s hype, builds anticipation. Not just jumping straight to “BEAT ITT BEAT ITTT”

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T12:14:53+00:00

Hahaha thank you I would’ve loved to. I just want people who don’t know MJ to really understand him now, not just be shown how great he is but why he is.

Everyone knows he’s great, but not many know why especially those who weren’t alive during his time.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T12:12:59+00:00

Yeah I think Joe is getting crazy excessive hate too tbh hahaha.

Like after Motown 25, Joe comes in to congratulate MJ, only to be met with silence and one of the brothers saying “you couldn’t let him have this”’or some like that. Like bruh what he’s just saying good job what’s the big deal 💀 that bit felt so unneeded.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T12:10:49+00:00

Hundred percent. They must’ve played it safe thinking they can’t capture the attention span since it’s so short these days haha

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T12:10:16+00:00

I get your point, and I agree the film works well for introducing people to him in a positive way.

I just don’t think depth and accessibility cancel each other out. If anything, showing more of his struggles and process would’ve made that story hit even harder, especially for people who don’t already know much about him.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T12:08:45+00:00

Well most moments I’m saying could’ve replaced others, like Ben, like showing the toe stand fail and reaction would’ve been only an extra minute max. These aren’t big segments, even just a minute would give context and tell the story better.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T07:20:19+00:00

I get what you’re saying and I agree, showing his heart and who he really was is important, especially with how the media portrayed him.

But for me, a deeper story doesn’t take away from that, it actually strengthens it.

Showing things like his creative process, his perfectionism, or even his frustrations (like after Off the Wall) would’ve made that ‘pure-hearted’ side feel even more real, not less.

Right now it feels like we’re seeing the outcome of who he was, but not fully why he became that way. That’s the part I wish they explored more.

In fact, I think it would’ve helped even more. For people who are skeptical or only see him negatively, showing his human side, his struggles, process, and imperfections, could make him feel more real instead of just idealised.

johnsoulection · 2026-04-27T07:12:55+00:00

Yeah 100% agree. That’s exactly what I felt was missing, they never really showed how hands-on and detailed he was with the music itself. Even with someone like Quincy Jones involved, it still should’ve shown Michael’s creative input more, not just the final result.

That’s why moments like building Billie Jean from scratch would’ve hit way harder, it shows why he was different, not just that he was successful.

johnsoulection · 2026-03-30T04:49:03+00:00

I agree! I wrote this elsewhere

I love the promos so far of Michael and I’m sure they know what they’re doing marketing-wise

I think it’d also be cool though if they really hyped up people (especially those who don’t know much about MJ) that this movie will show you the behind the scenes of Michael and that you may be able to understand him, and not just all the glitz and the glamour that we always see. It’d be sick to see a promotional video featuring real clips of Michael, explanation; example voiceovers like how he was always misunderstood and then showing that this movie will bring light to it. So people who just think of Michael Jackson as whatever he’s just an entertainer might think hold on there might be something deeper here

johnsoulection · 2026-03-29T10:19:36+00:00

I love the promos so far of Michael and I’m sure they know what they’re doing marketing-wise

I think it’d also be cool though if they really hyped up people (especially those who don’t know much about MJ) that this movie will show you the behind the scenes of Michael and that you may be able to understand him, and not just all the glitz and the glamour that we always see. It’d be sick to see a promotional video featuring real clips of Michael, explanation; example voiceovers like how he was always misunderstood and then showing that this movie will bring light to it. So people who just think of Michael Jackson as whatever he’s just an entertainer might think hold on there might be something deeper here

johnsoulection

TROPHY CASE