Some biopics aim to document a life. “Michael” does something far more impressive and ambitious- it resurrects one. Antoine Fuqua’s electrifying portrait of Michael Jackson traces the arc from his childhood in Gary, Indiana, as part of the Jackson 5, to his solo career with “Thriller”.

During its opening weekend, “Michael” made $217 million globally, marking the highest-grossing opening weekend for any musical biopic ever. Previously, “Bohemian Rhapsody” held the record with its $124 million opening weekend.

At the center of this movie is a performance that may very well be talked about for years to come. Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, doesn’t simply play the King of Pop; he becomes him. Beyond his similar physical appearance, every gesture, vocal run, signature dance move and mannerism is reproduced with uncanny precision that is eerily accurate. 

I’m not surprised that his performance was so incredible. Who better to channel the spirit of Michael Jackson than someone who grew up around him, shares his blood and has spent a lifetime learning to understand the man behind the legend?

Where the film truly excels, however, is in its recreation of Michael’s performances and musical acts, showcasing his legacy and impact. The concert sequences are full-scale spectacles, faithful to the original performances. Watching Jaafar Jackson execute the moonwalk, fedora tip and back-bending lean under an overwhelming flood of stage lights is the kind of cinematic joy that made me forget I was watching a movie.

The film also grounds its spectacle in humanity. The Jackson 5 chapters give the story its emotional impact, introducing Michael’s family, his gift for singing and the complicated machinery of fame that surrounds both. Coleman Domingo portrayed Michael’s father. Through an intense and gripping performance, Domingo perfectly captures the overpowering lust for control that possessed Joseph Jackson.

With that, the Jackson 5 embark on their Farewell Tour and Michael stands at the edge of something new and unknown. The film has put so much weight on this moment, making it genuinely emotional and heart-wrenching to watch. The announcement that the Jackson 5 era is ending is handled with quiet devastation mixed with a proud sense of relief for Michael.

However, it’s worth noting what the film doesn’t cover. The controversies that would come to define the later years of Jackson’s life are not present within the film. During the peak of Jackson’s solo career, he was flooded with child sexual abuse allegations that he denied until his death in 2009. There were also questions about his changing skin tone, due to vitiligo, along with numerous plastic surgeries that noticeably changed his appearance. A sequel covering those years with the same honesty and care as this film remains to be seen.

For now, “Michael” functions as a riveting story of Jackson’s early life, leaving the audience hungry for what’s next.

In a lineup of biopic films that feel like documentaries, “Michael” stands apart. It is a film that understands the difference between cataloging a life and dramatizing one. Every frame feels considered, every musical cue purposeful, every movement calculated and at its heart beats a performance from Jaafar Jackson that is without a doubt, extraordinary. 

The King of Pop has been brought back to life and only one question for me remains: Will there be a sequel?

Aiyana Curry can be reached at [email protected]