{"id":409812,"date":"2026-04-21T10:10:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T10:10:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/409812\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T10:10:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T10:10:07","slug":"michael-jackson-film-michael-first-reactions-from-l-a-premiere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/409812\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael Jackson Film Michael First Reactions From L.A. Premiere"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tThe King of Pop is back! Well, kinda. The first reactions to the much-anticipated Michael<\/a> Jackson biopic Michael have hit social media after the film\u2019s star-studded U.S. premiere in Los Angeles on Monday night. <\/p>\n

\n\tThe Antoine Fuqua<\/a>-directed feature actually had its world premiere in Berlin on April 10, but social media reaction from American press has been limited. Full critics reviews for Michael drop on April 22, with the film released in theaters worldwide on April 24. <\/p>\n

\n\tThe first official biopic of the late Michael Jackson<\/a>, Michael tells the story of the music phenomenon from his early Motown days performing with his brothers in the Jackson 5 to his breakout as a solo artist. There has been much speculation about whether the film will include the more controversial aspects of Jackson\u2019s singular life. <\/p>\n

\n\tThe long-gestating Lionsgate film notably has the rights to use Jackson\u2019s music, and is produced by Graham King, the man behind the four-time Oscar-winning Freddie Mercury\/Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody which made a massive $911 million at the global box office. <\/p>\n

\n\tMichael is led by Jaafar Jackson (Jackson\u2019s nephew and son of Jermaine Jackson) who plays the singer during his transition from a member of an immensely popular boy band to becoming the era-defining solo artist the world fell in love with. The young Michael is played Juliano Krue Valdi. The cast also includes Colman Domingo as Michael\u2019s father Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Michael\u2019s mother Katherine Jackson and Miles Teller as John Branca, an entertainment lawyer and manager. <\/p>\n

\n\tLauren Farrier plays the music exec Suzanne de Passe, Kendrick Sampson plays legendary producer Quincy Jones, Larenz Tate plays the all-powerful Motown chief Berry Gordy, Liv Symone plays singer Gladys Knight and Kevin Shinick plays TV legend Dick Clark.<\/p>\n

\n\tMichael\u2019s brothers, both older and younger versions are played by: Jamal R. Henderson (Jermaine) and Jayden Harville (young Jermaine); Tre Horton (Marlon) and Jaylen Lyndon Hunter (young Marlon); Rhyan Hill (Tito) and Judah Edwards (young Tito); Joseph David-Jones (Jackie) and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre (young Jackie); with Jessica Sula playing Michael\u2019s older sister La Toya Jackson. Janet Jackson does not feature in the film. <\/p>\n

\n\tSee the early social media reaction to Michael below. <\/p>\n

Jaafar Jackson is tremendous in MICHAEL, truly making you forget he isn\u2019t the real thing. An off-the-charts performance.<\/p>\n

The rest of the movie is about as generic as you can get. Fans will love the musical performances, but there\u2019s sadly no humanity behind them. pic.twitter.com\/Fxax2ZHtID<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Daniel Howat (@howatdk) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

I usually enjoy a good music biopic but Michael is so boring and one-note, maybe because we already know MJ’s story and this is pretty much the Colman Domingo show\u2026 for the diehard fans only.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Edward Douglas (@EDouglasWW) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Just saw the Michael movie. <\/p>\n

Tough.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Van Lathan Jr (@VanLathan) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Media pel\u00edcula pensando que la magia negra de los biopics musicales ya no ten\u00eda efecto en m\u00ed\u2026 hasta que lleg\u00f3 el n\u00famero de Beat It, Michael se ech\u00f3 tres pasitos con flow y volv\u00ed a ser la perra de los biopics musicales.
Qu\u00e9 maldita leyenda es Michael Jackson, carajo. https:\/\/t.co\/U10hkgJTII<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Carlos Camacho | CHICO DUNE \ud83c\udf13 (@AyCarlosCamacho) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Jafaar Jackson is unreal in MICHAEL. I know the voice was assisted, but the demeanor and dance moves and overall presence is really amazing to watch.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Matthew Belloni (@MattBelloni) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

MICHAEL is an extraordinarily sanitized, overly audience-friendly music biopic that makes Bohemian Rhapsody look like a complex, nuanced character study. With the dramatic depth of a Wikipedia article, the film introduces but fails to even remotely explore fascinating aspects of\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/eCPTUTmVeX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The HoloFiles \u2013 Movie\/TV News & Reviews (@theholofiles) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#MichaelMovie<\/a> is the best musical biopic I\u2019ve ever seen, and it\u2019s fitting for arguably the greatest performer of all time. What separates this film is the fact that Jaafar is LITERALLY MICHAEL. It\u2019s insane. Gorgeously shot, beautifully performed, but the music is the legacy.\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/xARVCiUAAD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jones Vibes (@jonesvibesonly) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

MICHAEL is a must-see celebration of the King of Pop.<\/p>\n

Jafaar Jackson\u2019s spectacular spot-on recreations of MJ are a highlight in a powerful, albeit safe movie about a singular, legendary musician.<\/p>\n

Colman Domingo is phenomenal. Deserves to be seen with a crowd. #MichaelMovie<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/D6lrEbIgdY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jonathan Sim @ CinemaCon! (@TheJonathanSim) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Jaafar Jackson embodies MJ to perfection. The performances feel so real, you forget you\u2019re watching a movie, it feels like you\u2019re at a Michael Jackson concert.Musical nostalgia at its best. See it in IMAX for the full experience! #michaelmovie<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/jVwrVjvhNz<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 DapperDrFeel (@DapperDrFeel) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Not only is #MichaelMovie<\/a> the best musicial biopic of all time. It\u2019s a reminder that Michael Jackson brings everyone together. Jaafar Jackson is Michael Jackson and Coleman Domingo is terrific. Cried Multiple times this an experience not just a movie. pic.twitter.com\/hG6PdQDWmO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 movietalkwithbrock (@movietalkwithb) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#MichaelMovie<\/a> brought me back to the awe & wow I felt when first discovering Michael\u2019s music as a kid. Jaafar Jackson nails the role. Colman Domingo is a chilling presence. Fan bias aside it can feel safe\/surface level while just playing the greatest hits. Still really enjoyed it pic.twitter.com\/22r1vaucl4<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Cris Parker (@3CFilmss) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#michaelmovie<\/a> is easily one of the most entertaining biopics in recent memory. Jaafar Jackson is an unreal revelation, embodying this music icon in every way imaginable. The music sequences vibrate, Domingo is an unbridled force of nature, and to say it will please fans of the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/L33hju7Oyl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tom Chatalbash (@TomChatalbash) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Jaafar Jackson is a star to watch, but for a biopic about MJ breaking free from his father and trying to express himself creatively, #MichaelMovie<\/a> feels controlled to the point that we can practically see the heads of his estate pulling the strings. pic.twitter.com\/MI6v05oJhd<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Nick Spake (Cartoon Contender) (@NSpake) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#MichaelMovie<\/a> is another formulaic biopic that\u2019s more interested in shoving as many songs in front of you than exploring its central subjects in any sort of meaningful way. Jaafar Jackson does a nice job in the leading role and the performance moments are exciting but there\u2019s\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/usq8Y2EFET<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 adam patla \ud83d\udd1c chicago critics film festival (@apat10) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#MichaelMovie<\/a> is amazing. One of the best music biopics I\u2019ve seen in a very long time. Colman Domingo is amazing as Joe Jackson. One of the best performances of his career.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Greg Pomes \ud83c\udfac (@Greg_Pomes) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Easily the biggest standout from #MichaelMovie<\/a> is Jafar Jackson. He is simply phenomenal as Michael Jackson and completely embodies the generational pop star\u2014a performance deserving of accolades. pic.twitter.com\/bfrw8niVfs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ben Janzen (@benjanzenfilm) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019m still gathering my thoughts, but the #michaelmovie<\/a> was incredible. Jaafar, Colman, Nia\u2026 Academy Award worthy. If you go in looking for a caricature of Michael Jackson, you will be \u201cdisappointed\u201d because that\u2019s not who he was. If you go in with an open mind, you\u2019ll walk away\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jael Rucker (@RuckerJael) April 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

MICHAEL presents an overly audience-friendly take on Michael Jackson\u2019s life story (only up until the release of \u201cBad\u201d) that will work for the masses and devoted fans eager to watch one of the world\u2019s largest entertainers at the peak of his popularity \u201cplay the hits\u201d and find the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/CS2Q1HpbGP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) April 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

You won\u2019t stop until you get enough of #MichaelMovie<\/a>, an absolute thriller of a movie that speaks to the human nature of Michael Jackson. <\/p>\n

It\u2019ll have you smiling throughout and tearing up when you need to and is arguably one of the best musical biopics. It doesn\u2019t do anything\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/FhZ5hz262d<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Christopher Rates It \ud83e\udda6 (@LuminousDagger) April 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Jaafar Jackson delivers a truly remarkable performance in #Michael<\/a>, embodying the spirit, the ambition and the physicality of Michael Jackson in a way that’s dazzling to watch. The kid is so good, and longtime fans will adore this film.<\/p>\n

Director Antoine Fuqua delivers a fun,\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/owfYimBWCH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#Michael<\/a> features two absolutely smashing performances, Jaafar Jackson is ELECTRIC in his role, while Colman Domingo is monstrous as Joe Jackson. The ending leaves a bit to be desired, but the journey there is fascinating and fitting of the greatest entertainer of our time. pic.twitter.com\/SlZITFVrn6<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Hunter Bolding (@HunterBVideo) April 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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