There Are Only Two Types of Music Biopics — And Michael Just Proved It’s One of the Best at What It Actually Tries to Be
Let’s cut the bullshit: not all music biopics are created equal, and pretending they are is why so many critics sound ridiculous right now. There are two distinct breeds. One is the serious, introspective character study that dissects the artist’s soul like a psychology thesis — music takes a backseat while we wallow in their demons.
The other? A big, crowd-pleasing, commercial ride that checks the major beats of their life, delivers a concert-like spectacle, and still gives you enough story to feel something. MICHAEL is proudly, unapologetically the second kind. And as far as that category goes, it’s one of the best we’ve seen in years.
Here’s the clear breakdown that explains everything:
- **Type 1 — The Dramatic Deep Dive**: Think heavy psychological portraits where the music supports the personal torment. These are the ones critics usually cream over — slow burns, oscar bait, endless brooding.
- **Type 2 — The Celebration Machine**: This is the concert-meets-biography approach. Hit the big milestones, flood the screen with iconic songs, let the performances slap. It’s commercial, it’s fun, and when done right, it feels electric.
*Michael* nails the second formula. It’s not pretending to be a haunting character autopsy. It’s a love letter that lets Jaafar Jackson channel the king of Pop through explosive live sequences — Dodger Stadium “Human Nature,” the thriller video recreation, those Thriller-era dances that blur the line between nephew and legend. The screenplay isn’t flawless (it leans hard on the father stuff), but the music hits like thunder in the theater, and the energy never dies.
At the end of the day, my positive response to this film is largely emotional, and I have no problem admitting that. I totally understand if some more buttoned-up critics take issue with the story or screenplay. But I am not one of those critics. I’m a massive MJ fan who went in protective and walked out buzzing.
If you want the concert experience mixed with real story and jaw-dropping performances, *Michael* delivers exactly what it promises — and it does it at an elite level.