There is only one King of Pop. And this movie made sure we never forget why.

I am going to be honest with you. I walked out ready to moonwalk all the way home. Michael is not just a biopic. It is an event. A full body, soul-stirring, goosebump-inducing cinematic experience that reminded every single person in that theatre exactly why Michael Jackson was and will always be the King of Pop.

Let us talk about Jaafar Jackson first, because everything begins and ends with him.

This was his first film. Ever. And he carried it like he was born to, because in many ways, he was. What you witness on screen is not performance in the traditional sense. It is DNA. It is bloodline doing what bloodline does. The way he moves, the way he holds a moment of stillness before exploding into a dance sequence, the softness in his voice, the precision in his hands, none of that can be taught in a studio. That lives in the body. You can see the years of work, the dedication, the almost devotional preparation he put into becoming this role. But underneath all of that effort is something that no amount of training alone could manufacture. He has it in him. Genetically, spiritually, it is there. And the screen knows it.

Before Jaafar takes over, it is Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael who sets the entire emotional foundation of the film. That boy carried so much: the wonder, the talent, the weight of a childhood already slipping away from him, and he did it with a naturalness that was breathtaking. And Nia Long as Katherine Jackson was the quiet heartbeat behind it all. Warm, dignified, and devastating in exactly the right moments. Every scene she was in, you felt the love and the helplessness of a mother navigating something far bigger than herself.

What made this film genuinely special as a piece of storytelling is how it takes you inside the music. Not just the performances, but the origin of each song, each beat, each creative decision. You understand where Billie Jean came from. You feel the emotion that built Thriller. Every snap of a finger, every spin, every sequined glove is given weight, context, and meaning.

This film treats MJ’s artistry with the reverence it deserves. The smoothness, the finesse, the detail in every choreographed moment, it is all there, and it is detailed. As a lifelong fan, you are not just watching, you are understanding. And that made it one of the most satisfying viewing experiences I have had in years.

Antoine Fuqua shot the performance sequences with pure visual electricity, and IMAX made it transcendent. Every beat landed in my chest. I genuinely could not sit still. I was snapping, my shoulders were moving, and I was in that seat, living every single moment. That is the magic of this film. It does not let you be a passive viewer. It pulls you in and refuses to let go.

Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson was outstanding. Chilling and layered in equal measure. The film does attempt to show Joe’s perspective, and there is nuance to it. But the abuse was real, it was severe, and its effect on Michael was lifelong. Understanding a man’s motivations does not excuse what he did, and the film, to its credit, does not let you fully forget that either.

The film’s only real absences are felt quietly but genuinely. Janet Jackson and Rebbie, the eldest Jackson sister, are both missing from the story. Their absence leaves a gap that fans will notice. But even without them, the film holds its shape and delivers.

Now, about Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB. Set those numbers aside completely. The critics have had their say, and the audience has had theirs, and the audience won. Viewers have voted this as one of the best biopics they have ever seen, and that is the only metric that matters here. The people in that cinema, on their feet, shoulders moving, eyes full, they understood exactly what they were watching.

This film was made for every MJ fan who grew up studying his moves, who still gets chills when the bass line of Billie Jean drops, who has never stopped missing him. It gave us the detail, the artistry, the heart. It gave us Jaafar. And honestly, it gave us exactly what Michael himself would have wanted.

A true musical feast. In cinemas now. IMAX only.