The long-awaited Michael has finally arrived in theatres, and the response borders on hysteria. Crowds have turned screenings into celebrations, echoing the kind of global fervor once reserved for Michael Jackson himself. Fueled by nostalgia, curiosity, and controversy, the film is already rewriting box office history within days of release.

There is something poetic about how Michael mirrors its subject, defying expectation, breaking molds, and moonwalking past competition.

In a historic feat, Michael has officially surpassed Oppenheimer to claim the highest-grossing domestic opening day ever for a biopic, earning $40 million compared to Oppenheimer’s $33 million. When Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer debuted on July 21, 2023, it was already considered a massive achievement for a dialogue-heavy historical drama, making this overtake all the more significant.

After around a week, directed by Antoine Fuqua and backed by Lionsgate, Michael opened far beyond projections, surging toward a $94-$100 million domestic debut and nearly $200 million globally.

Despite early chatter around mixed reviews and attempted review-bombing, audience scores told a different story, cutting across demographics and driving momentum. What makes this even more striking is the context. Heading into release, Michael was tracking at $65-$70 million domestically, already enough to dethrone Straight Outta Compton ($60.1M) and Bohemian Rhapsody ($55M) as the biggest music biopic openings.

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What is driving this? Beyond spectacle, it is the emotional pull of legacy, audiences are not just watching a film; they are revisiting a myth.

Michael operates as both tribute and tightrope walk. The film spans from Gary, Indiana in 1966 to the Bad tour era, capturing Michael Jackson’s evolution from child prodigy to global icon. Its opening act, centered on the Jackson 5 can be regarded as its strongest segment. Young Michael, played by Juliano Valdi, becomes the emotional and dramatic core, especially in scenes depicting the abusive control of his father, brought to life by Colman Domingo.

However, once the narrative transitions to adulthood, portrayed by Jaafar Jackson the film shifts tone. It becomes more reverential, prioritizing spectacle over complexity. Concert recreations and music video sequences are visually striking, but the storytelling grows cautious, sidestepping deeper controversies that defined later chapters of Jackson’s life.

Critically, this has divided opinion. Some view it as a polished, crowd-pleasing homage in the lineage of Bohemian Rhapsody and Elvis. Others argue it sacrifices narrative depth in favor of legacy preservation. Still, as a cinematic experience, it remains engaging, elevated by performance, pacing, and an iconic soundtrack.

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What did you think of the film, does it do justice to the legend, or play it too safe? Share your take.