Cinemagoers have defied dire reviews for the new Michael Jackson biopic, as audiences flock to see the film despite harsh criticism from reviewers.
Critical Reception
Critics have lambasted the film for 'whitewashing' Jackson's controversial life, with many claiming that the story ends in 1988, years before multiple child sexual abuse allegations against the singer emerged. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a critics' score of just 40 per cent at the time of writing, a 'Rotten' rating. Earlier in the week, the figure was even lower at 31 per cent.
Audience Response
However, the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes tells a different story, with a 96 per cent positive 'Fresh' rating. While it is possible for these numbers to be manipulated through 'review bombing', other platforms also suggest a warm welcome from the public. On IMDB, the film has an aggregate rating of 7.6 out of 10, and on Letterboxd, it has earned an average rating of 3.6 stars out of 5, with the majority of ratings between 4 and 5 stars.
Box Office Success
Directed by Antoine Fuqua of Training Day fame, Michael stars Jackson's own nephew, Jaafar Jackson, as the 'King of Pop', with supporting performances from Nia Long, Mike Myers, Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo. Despite controversy, the film is shaping up to be a major hit at the box office. In the UK and Ireland, it recorded the biggest ever opening day for a musical biopic, beating Bohemian Rhapsody, Elvis, and Rocketman.
Critic's Verdict
In a one-star review for The Independent, critic Clarisse Loughrey wrote: 'The draw of Michael isn't the desire to understand Jackson as a person or as an artist, or to grapple with the weight of his legacy. It exists to be consumed as an act of allegiance, as proof of fandom.' The film is now in cinemas.
