The first reactions to Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic moonwalk between glowing and disappointed by the ending
Michael Jackson mania is about to start all over again when Antoine Fuqua’s Michael biopic moonwalks into theaters on April 24. The anticipation is overwhelming, and fans of the Gloved One are willing to spill blood on the dance floor to find out what people think of the movie before its release. To that end, the movie recently screened for select audiences, and first reactions to the epic feature are circulating on social media. We’ve gathered a handful and posted them here. From what I can tell, most people are losing their minds over Jaafar Jackson’s portrayal of Michael Jackson, while others note Colman Domingo‘s powerful performance as Joe Jackson. Some say it’s one of the greatest biopics ever, while others think the final act’s ending (reshot to omit content about child abuse allegations) is disappointing. Let’s take a look at some of the first reactions and see for ourselves.
First reactions to Antoine Fuqua’s Michael
What’s Michael about?
Michael is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.
Fuqua on how MJ influenced his life and career path
“It’s a very spiritual journey, making a movie about someone like Michael. Michael was a big influence on my career as a director. Seeing how he refused to be put in a box as a “black” artist only. To be a young black man in this country and see people who look like me achieve international fame meant that there was no ceiling. If they can do it, someone like myself can do it,” Fuqua says during a Michael featurette.
Fuqua continues, “So as a director, I’ve had that same battle of not getting put into a box. When I used to do videos, I didn’t get the million-dollar budgets. I got the $50,000 budget. But Michael was the first that I saw to really make an impact and cross over the way he did. Now, I’m not a Jackson. I can’t do Michael. But in my own field, it gave me a lot of inspiration.”
How excited are you about Antoine Fuqua’s Michael coming to theaters on April 24? My niece, who’s likely oblivious to Jackson’s checkered past, can’t get to the theater fast enough. I used to be a diehard MJ fan when I was a kid. I still enjoy his music a great deal, though I’ll wait for a digital release to experience Fuqua’s film.
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