It’s a late May afternoon at The Paseo on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena, CA. I’m about to see Michael three weeks after its premiere. Though initially put off by the fact that I was about to see the film later than I would’ve liked to, I shake this pessimism off because I’m about to watch a biopic of Michael Jackson, just mere steps from the Pasadena Convention Center where the film was shot, and more importantly, where the King of Pop debuted himself as a solo performer in 1984 at Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, and Forever.

The 2026 Michael biopic pays homage to Michael Jackson, affectionately (and rightfully) crowned the King of Pop. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the film takes audiences through Michael Jackson’s beginnings and leaves us at one of his Bad Tour performances with a “his story continues” message, begging us to ponder if there will be a sequel.

What do I, an L.A. native, a dreamer, and a Michael Jackson fan think of the film?

The King of Pop’s very own nephew Jafaar Jackson makes his acting debut in playing the late musician. Jafaar did not have easy shoes to fill, though he executed the role well. Prior to seeing the film, I’d heard multiple talk show hosts say they thought they were watching Michael Jackson himself while they saw the film, implying that Jafaar’s portrayal was so spot on that he blurred the line between himself acting as Michael and being Michael himself. Jafaar’s portrayal was strong, but not once did I think I was watching Michael Jackson. How could I when I knowingly bought a ticket to a biopic of the King of Pop, not a documentary? This is to say, my belief was not suspended.

Moreover, I find it unfair to expect Jafaar, though any actor, really, to embody Michael Jackson with one hundred percent precision; it’s just not going to happen. Each person has their own unique body that moves in unique ways.

But I don’t make this note to detract from Jafaar’s performance. He clearly studied the great entertainer’s mannerisms, speech, and dance moves and put in work to execute these well. It’s difficult to decide which of the three was the best because they all were done very well. What stood out to me most of all was how Jafaar spoke in the film, with a lull that was signature of Michael’s speech.

I was moved by the scene where Michael meets the chimp Bubbles for the first time. I enjoyed Jaafar’s sweet and sensitive portrayal of Michael in this moment. The scene is pleasant and innocent, and it added levity to a story with darker moments.

Then there’s Juliano Valdi’s performance as the young Michael Jackson, particularly in violent scenes where Joe Jackson hit Michael. Valdi was sensitive and did not overly dramatize his performance in these moments. Valdi also demonstrated his strong dancing and singing skills in the earlier portion of the film.

So much of Michael’s plot took place in Los Angeles. To watch this film in Los Angeles was a real treat, especially as an Angeleno. And later in the film when the text “Pasadena” would come up on the screen, I’d felt so giddy in my seat at The Paseo because I was reminded that the legendary Michael Jackson traversed and lived in this city, and that Los Angeles really is a special place where artists live and legends rise.

I never felt like I was watching a string of YouTube videos of Michael’s performances. I also never felt like I could anticipate when a song moment would occur, nor like I was watching characters break out into song the way Disney Channel movies operate. I very much felt immersed in the story, and I attribute this to John Logan’s writing which was also very well paced, so much so that when the film ended, I asked myself that’s it? The film didn’t feel like it was two hours long at all. When I saw the Bad Tour scene, I was excitedly bracing myself for another segment of the film, but to my disappointment, the film came to a close.

Michael reminds audiences of Michael Jackson’s legacy and his enduring impact on culture 17 years after his untimely death. And while this is a biopic and not a documentary, the film also conveys Michael’s humanity and sensitivity — things that were forgotten and misconstrued by the media for so long. Similarly, Michael allows the entertainer’s family, though not all of them, to reclaim some control of Michael’s image.