The new biographical film Michael has quickly become one of the biggest movie successes of the year. The film earned an impressive $217 million during its opening week, making it the largest box office opening ever for a music biopic and the second-biggest debut of the year overall.

The movie follows the early life and career of Michael Jackson, from his childhood in a struggling family to his rise as a member of the Jackson 5. It concludes as Jackson begins his solo career and separates from his father’s control to embark on his own tour. The filmmakers clearly set out to do justice to the legacy of the King of Pop.

One of the film’s most talked-about aspects is its casting. Michael Jackson is portrayed by his  nephew, Jaafar Jackson, the son of Jermaine Jackson, who was a member of the Jackson 5. Young Michael is played by Juliano Valdi, whose performance captures Jackson’s talent and innocence at a young age.

The film highlights many lesser-known aspects of Jackson’s life. Viewers learn about his lonely childhood, which was far from normal due to his early fame and demanding performance schedule. The movie also explores the abuse and control he experienced from his father, Joe Jackson, and shows how music became both an escape and a responsibility. Audiences also see memorable moments from Jackson’s career, including the infamous Pepsi commercial accident in which his hair caught fire while filming. The film allows us to see this glorified Pop stars as a human and a kind one at that. 

Many students at Darien High School hav not seen the movie but almost all those who have enjoyed it. Many said they liked hearing Jackson’s iconic songs throughout the film. The movie brought to light the many struggles Michael faced behind the scenes. Several students said they “knew that Michael had an abusive past from his father,” but “didn’t know how bad it was.” Others learned about the tragic Pepsi advertisement saying “I felt really bad for him and Jaafar did really good in that scene.” 

A second film is already in development and will cover the later years of Jackson’s life. Many DHS students expressed excitement about the sequel and said they plan to watch it when it is released. One question surrounding the next installment is how it will address some of the more controversial topics associated with Michael Jackson, including allegations of sexual abuse involving minors that were never proven before his death.

The first film presents Jackson in a largely positive light, highlighting his visits to children’s hospitals and his desire to bring joy to young people. The movie suggests that he felt a special connection to children because he never experienced a normal childhood himself due to his demanding career and fame at such a young age.

The film also has strong family connections behind the scenes. Jackson is portrayed by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, making the role especially personal. In an interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Jaafar said he had received “many incredible points and amazing advice” from his grandmother, father, and uncles. He also stated that he put his “heart and soul” into the role and wanted to “make his uncle proud.”

Because the project is not only a film but also a way for Jaafar to honor a member of his own family, it will be interesting to see how filmmakers handle the more controversial chapters of Jackson’s life in the sequel and how Jaafar approaches these new challenges as the story moves into a more complex period of his uncle’s career.

Overall, Michael is an entertaining and informative film that offers audiences a deeper look into the life of one of music’s most influential performers. Whether you are already a Michael Jackson fan or simply interested in learning more about his story, this is a movie worth seeing.