Is Michael a great biopic, or does it work because Michael Jackson’s music is simply impossible to resist?

We review the new Michael Jackson biopic, discussing Jaafar Jackson’s performance, the film’s massive audience response, Michael’s legacy, the controversy around his life, and the major moments the movie glosses over.

Plus, we end with a Michael Jackson song battle — from Thriller and Billie Jean to Beat It, Smooth Criminal, They Don’t Care About Us and more.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/V0bjX1WgtxU

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:34 Welcome to Cognitive Recalibration

0:48 Introducing Michael and why this episode needed a discussion

1:11 Box-office success and the scale of Michael Jackson fandom

2:34 Music biopics, Bohemian Rhapsody, and billion-dollar potential

3:35 Audience demographics and Gen Z discovering Michael Jackson

5:57 Critics vs audiences: why the scores are so different

7:00 Family involvement, controversy, and what the movie avoids

8:36 Release delays, sequel plans, and the film’s long box-office legs

10:05 Michael Jackson trivia, the moonwalk, and cultural mythology

10:29 Initial thoughts: enjoyable experience, flawed movie

12:37 Emotional connection to Michael’s music and why it still resonates

13:49 The ending problem and why the movie feels like Part One

14:45 Word of mouth, social media reactions, and renewed popularity

16:47 Box-office competition and why Michael has longer legs

17:11 Jaafar Jackson, the child actor, and Colman Domingo’s performances

18:56 Spoiler discussion begins: Joe Jackson and Michael’s insecurities

20:50 The media, Michael’s changing appearance, and vitiligo

22:49 The movie’s biggest flaw: not enough focus on musical genius

23:38 Missing the evolution of Michael’s voice, style, and creative identity

24:43 Quincy Jones, Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, and missed opportunities

27:08 Thriller, Bad, music videos, and Michael as a short-film pioneer

28:46 Why the movie still works as an experience despite its flaws

30:00 Michael as an underdog and Joe Jackson’s intimidating presence

31:51 Childhood trauma, loneliness, Bubbles, and the toy store scene

32:28 The Pepsi commercial, pain medication, and the start of his decline

33:39 Why the second movie will be harder to make

34:21 Michael’s estate, masters, streaming money, and artist ownership

36:55 Relationships, children, siblings, and the drama the film skips

38:48 Michael’s legacy living through the music

39:10 Why the sequel should explore albums, tours, and fame more deeply

40:27 Was Michael Jackson more famous than Taylor Swift?

41:34 Final thoughts on performances and the film overall

42:03 Michael Jackson song battle begins: Thriller vs everything

43:20 Billie Jean takes the crown

44:49 Human Nature, Stranger in Moscow, and underrated favourites

46:12 Dirty Diana, PYT, Black or White, and Michael’s deep discography

47:02 Favourite Michael Jackson songs and streaming numbers

48:30 Michael’s voice, vocal style, and why his songs are hard to sing

49:42 Paul McCartney, Beatles rights, and Michael’s music portfolio

51:22 Neverland and the stories still left for the sequel

52:15 Closing thoughts on Michael and who should watch it

53:39 Podcast movie draft talk: Michael, Moana, Minions, and Dune

54:53 Quick thoughts on Mandalorian & Grogu and upcoming episodes

55:27 Final sign-off

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