Last day of April was a dreary blah day. I decided a movie could brighten the mood. Can't go wrong with a Motown beat. Michael proved entertaining to me. This film covers the beginning of the Jackson 5 in Gary, Indiana. Little Michael is clearly the star - perfect pitch, soul, and a sadness/joy mix to his tiny demeanor. Coleman Domingo as Joseph Jackson, the father, does a great job of showing the overbearing dad determined to use his sons for greater glory. He even uses the term "money machine" when referring to Michael.
Sure enough, Berry Gordy, Motown founder hears and sees the magic in Michael and his brothers. They skyrocket. The movie then pivots to Jaafar Jackson (yes, a relative of Michael) playing Michael as a teen, ready to move on from the J5. He has so much more to express. Jaafar does a very good job - the smile, the moves, the unique voice. The beat! Off the Wall, Billie Jean, Beat It, Thriller, the meteoric rise...
the Moon Walk dance!
The movie shows the Pepsi commercial incident, the final J5 tour, and then the Thriller phenomenon. The movie alludes to Michael's weird childhood, the Neverland connection, etc., but doesn't go to the dark side.
There have been other, better musical biographies but for $7 I escaped for two hours into good music.
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