So yes, walking into Michael, I carried excitement, nostalgia, and a quiet hope that I'd walk out knowing him a little better. What I got instead was a glittering concert of memories - dazzling, yes - but carefully curated, almost too careful to feel real.

The high notes: When the King takes the stage

Let's be honest - when the music begins, the film comes alive. Jaafar Jackson, playing the adult Michael, doesn't just imitate; he channels. The body language, the voice, the sheer magnetism - it's all there. In those moments, you stop watching a performance and start feeling the phenomenon.

Director Antoine Fuqua leans into spectacle, and it works. The concert sequences pulse with energy, reminding you why Michael Jackson wasn't just a star - he was a movement.

There's also a standout performance by Colman Domingo as Joseph Jackson. His portrayal of the domineering father adds tension and grit, briefly grounding the film in something emotionally real.

What works best:

• Electrifying stage recreations that capture Michael's global appeal
• Jaafar Jackson's uncanny resemblance and performance
• A few emotionally charged moments, mostly driven by Domingo

The low notes: What the film avoids saying

Here's where the film starts to feel… incomplete. Written by John Logan, who has delivered layered scripts like Gladiator and Skyfall, Michael surprisingly plays it safe. The story follows a straight, linear path - from child star in The Jackson 5 to global icon - but it never dares to wander into uncomfortable territory. The loneliness, the psychological scars, the controversies, the contradictions - all the things that made Michael human - are either softened or skipped entirely.

Even his eccentricities are presented almost whimsically. His attachment to animals, toys, and childlike fantasies is shown, but never questioned. The film observes, but refuses to interpret. And that's frustrating. Because the most compelling story here isn't just about the performer - it's about the person he was offstage.

The emotional disconnect

There are attempts at emotional depth, particularly through his mother (played by Nia Long), but they feel surface-level. Conversations that should have cut deep barely scratch the surface. Michael's inner world - what drove him, what broke him, what inspired him - remains largely a mystery. Even relationships feel underdeveloped. His bond with his lawyer, played by Miles Teller, and his inner circle never quite land with emotional weight. You keep waiting for a moment of revelation that never arrives.

So what stays with you?

Despite its hesitations, the film isn't dull. It's visually rich, musically immersive, and undeniably entertaining. You tap your feet, you hum along, and for brief stretches, you're transported.

But as the credits roll, a thought lingers:

I came in wanting to understand Michael Jackson.
I walked out having watched him perform - again.