THE EMPIRE
This film was supposed to sit with the likes of Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody, it doesn’t deserve that.
I remember seeing Michael Jackson live after I’d aged out of being a fan for the Dangerous Tour in Auckland I’m guessing around 98 or so? – I had a blast and still one of the best sounding gigs I’ve ever been to, and I enjoyed and still enjoy the music. Controversy changed the attitudes for Jackson over the years, and I thought a biopic might shed some light or a new insight but it didn’t. There was nothing in here that most run of the mill fans wouldn’t have already known.
It touches on many points ( through the time line of the film) that were prominent moments in MJ’s early career up to about ‘Off the Wall’ release and the reactions to. This isn’t the first time movies have been made either about or by Jackson, however this one felt like it had a lot of the family having their opinions and wants added to change the story line. It depicts early years with abuse shrouded as drive which wasn’t news, but the level at which it was conveyed in the film didn’t seem to stack up with what we already knew about the abuse.
I had fleeting moments of enjoying Jaafar Jackson playing Michael, he does a good impersonation however hovers between convincing and clearly not having spent enough time watching source material to really understand the softer side we saw of Micheal Jackson over the years. However, probably still one of the best I’ve seen in terms of portraying such a unique entertainer.
The story is great for anyone that is new to the Michael Jackson world, many young people will enjoy the rags to riches story and if accompanied by parents will hear some great music and recreations of behind the scenes moments of some of the biggest songs to ever hit the charts. The story is filled with positivity around early career trajectories and that’s uplifting, however ‘real fans’ I feel likely will be underwhelmed at the lack of anything new and exciting around the insight to the life of Micheal Jackson.
I left feeling underwhelmed and a bit disappointed, the movie feels like something that made using a formula to make money for an idea that will live on, as apposed to any real points of interest to share over and above things that were headline news at the time.
The film looks good and is well acted however if you wanted something special from this, you might be disappointed. It’s basically a throw together of things we all already knew.
4/10
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