This was one of those biopics that has you in awe by how good it is. The Jacksons were one of my fave bands when I was younger and I caught this TV movie on true movies the other night. Wow I had no idea it was going to be so good. After watching this I can understand why Michael is the way he is now. He had absolutely no childhood mind you he did ask his dad if he could be part of the Jackson when he was a kid so he kind of cause what happened with all the fame and the fans. This follows The Jacksons right from when they were born up to when they became superstars and even Michael's solo career with Thriller. The acting is superb with star performances by Angela Bassett as Katherine Jackson the mother of the Jackson 5. Just like Tina, Angela Bassett shines as Katherine, her emotions and her strong character comes through on the screen. Lawrence Hilton Jacobs does a great job as Joseph Jackson the father who did push his kids too far for the sake of fame, fortune and glory but eventually you get to like him towards the end of the film. Terrence Howard also makes a very early debut as an older Jackie Jackson but kudos should go to Wylie Draper who gives an amazing portrayal as Michael. I mean he had him down to a tee. He spoke like Michael, he danced like Michael and yes even sung like him. Michael Jackson only gave his voice to only nine of the songs in this film. The song list that is in this that Michael actually sings in this are: I want you back, ABC, I'll be there, Rockin' Robin, Dancing machine, I want to be where you are, Human Nature, Billie Jean, and Beat it. All the rest were done by the cast who played the Jacksons in the movie. I was totally blown away as they did such a good job with the numbers that they genuinely only performed. The choreography was spot on, mind you they did have Michael's own personal choreographer Michael Peters helping with the steps in this and thank god he did cause made a simple teenage actor into the best portrayal of Michael that i have ever seen. I'm so sorry that I find out that Wylie died the year after this was made, my sympathy goes out his family.
The only thing I didn't like about this film was that they totally missed a massive chunk in the film. The chunk I'm talking about was that the period between when Michael becomes a solo artist. You don't see him do Don't stop until you get enough, Ben, one day in your life and even the Off the Wall album. The off the wall album was only spoke about briefly in this film and that was it. It also missed out the other great hits that Michael performed with his brothers like Blame it on the Boogie and Can you feel it. it completely missed out all those and went straight to Michael recording the THRILLER album. Although they did manage to include the horrific Pepsi incident where Michael got severely burnt but I'm glad to see the ending was electric with Michael singing a number that I have never heard before with his brothers. I really loved how it finished with a personal message from the Jacksons to all us fans. It was done by the actors but you could tell that the message was really from the real Jacksons which thanks us for the years that we were loyal fans throughout the years that they were recording. I'm so glad that this finally came out on DVD as I intend to buy it. If you love the Jacksons music or just Michael's you have got to see this film. It's so great it's dangerous. :)
The only thing I didn't like about this film was that they totally missed a massive chunk in the film. The chunk I'm talking about was that the period between when Michael becomes a solo artist. You don't see him do Don't stop until you get enough, Ben, one day in your life and even the Off the Wall album. The off the wall album was only spoke about briefly in this film and that was it. It also missed out the other great hits that Michael performed with his brothers like Blame it on the Boogie and Can you feel it. it completely missed out all those and went straight to Michael recording the THRILLER album. Although they did manage to include the horrific Pepsi incident where Michael got severely burnt but I'm glad to see the ending was electric with Michael singing a number that I have never heard before with his brothers. I really loved how it finished with a personal message from the Jacksons to all us fans. It was done by the actors but you could tell that the message was really from the real Jacksons which thanks us for the years that we were loyal fans throughout the years that they were recording. I'm so glad that this finally came out on DVD as I intend to buy it. If you love the Jacksons music or just Michael's you have got to see this film. It's so great it's dangerous. :)