Opening with a dismal 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, reviewers are heavily criticizing the sanitized narrative while simultaneously praising the lead performance. Here is a breakdown of what the entertainment industry is saying about the controversial musical drama.
The highly anticipated cinematic portrayal of the King of Pop has officially hit a severe critical roadblock just days before its wide theatrical release. While audiences have been eagerly awaiting a definitive look at the legendary artist’s life, professional journalists are expressing intense disappointment with the final product.
From complaints about a paper-thin script to discussions regarding unused footage, the conversation surrounding the movie is incredibly complex.
A Disappointing Debut Score
Debuting on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes with a shockingly low 27 percent approval rating, the film is currently ranking as one of the worst-reviewed major studio releases of the year. Sourced from almost fifty initial professional evaluations, the score reflects a profound dissatisfaction with how the director handled the dense historical material. While audience scores frequently differ wildly from professional reviewers, this initial wave of harsh journalism paints a deeply concerning picture for the blockbuster’s artistic legacy. Following the first wave, the biopic’s score has since risen slightly to 33 percent, based on 83 critic reviews.
Jaafar Jackson Shines Brightly
Despite the overwhelmingly negative consensus surrounding the actual movie, writers are nearly unanimous in their immense praise for the leading man. Stepping into his uncle’s iconic loafers, Jaafar Jackson delivers a magnetic, star-making performance that perfectly captures the legendary singer’s electrifying stage presence and soft-spoken demeanor. Reviewers consistently highlight his uncanny vocal abilities and flawless execution of the signature dance moves, proving that the casting choice was an absolute masterstroke amidst an otherwise flawed production. Many critics agree that, while watching the film, you momentarily forget you’re not seeing the real Michael Jackson.
A Highly Sanitized Narrative
The primary source of journalistic frustration stems from the movie’s extreme reluctance to tackle the darker, deeply controversial chapters of the global icon’s life.
Multiple publications have labeled the project as a feature-length piece of damage control that plays like a heavily filtered, estate-approved Wikipedia summary. By abruptly ending the overarching storyline in the 1980s before any major legal scandals emerged, critics argue that the filmmakers robbed the subject of any genuine human complexity.
Paris Jackson Distances Herself
Adding fuel to the critical fire, the late singer’s own daughter publicly stepped away from the studio project long before the premiere. Paris Jackson took to social media to clarify that she had absolutely zero involvement in the production, directly contradicting claims made by cast members during the promotional tour. She noted that her early script feedback regarding dishonest portrayals was entirely ignored, prompting her to officially wash her hands of the entire cinematic endeavor.
Box Office Hopes Remain High
Even with the brutal thrashing from the press, industry analysts still expect the musical drama to perform exceptionally well at the global box office. The sheer power of the legendary discography, combined with the promise of spectacular, stadium-level concert recreations, will likely draw massive crowds of dedicated fans worldwide. While reviewers might demand a gritty, warts-and-all psychological character study, general audiences are usually much more forgiving when presented with an entertaining, nostalgia-fueled celebration of timeless anthems.
