By Sarahí Gómez Esaa
The film “Michael” broke the box office record in its first weekend of release and became the best debut in history for a biographical film.
Lionsgate’s biopic about the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, It premiered in theaters on April 24 and grossed $97 million in the United States and $217 million worldwide in its first weekend.according to Diversity.
This film surpassed any other biographical film at the box office, including “Straight Outta Compton” (2015), nominated for an Oscar in the “Best Long-established Screenplay” category, which had a debut of $60 million. “Michael” surpassed “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the 2018 Freddy Mercury biography, which opened with $51 million.
Likewise, “Michael” achieved the second best debut of the year, only surpassed by “The Huge Mario Galaxy Film”, which grossed $131 million in its first weekend of release.
Critics were not kind, for the most part, to “Michael.” Rolling Stone assured that the film “settles to break the chronology without finding a clear structure to sustain it. Time jumps and advances without direction.” The magazine also criticizes the lack of representation of important figures in Michael Jackson’s life, such as Diana Ross, his sister Janet Jackson, among others. “’Michael’ is an exercise that exploits the figure of the king of pop and reduces his complexity as a person,” says the magazine.
Vogue questioned that the film focused on the idealization of the artist and missed the opportunity to demystify him, showing who Michael Jackson was offstage. “’Michael’ works as a spectacle, but fails as a portrait, and this only serves to reinforce the myth behind the greatest pop singer in all of history,” says Vogue.
Although the film received only 38% positive reviews on Wicked Tomatoes, the public has had a totally different opinion and the box office shows it. Audiences gave it an “A-” grade in CinemaScore exit polls.
“You don’t get these numbers unless you’re seeing very high numbers in every demographic imaginable. They’re clearly having a great time, and that bodes well for a great outcome,” said Adam Fogelson, president of Lionsgate’s film department.
“Michael” chronicles the rise to fame of the “King of Pop,” who died in 2009. The main character is played by Jaafar Jackson, nephew of Michael and son of Jermaine Jackson. Critics have claimed that the film sweetens the singer’s life and does not include shady aspects such as accusations of sexual abuse.
Initially, the film did plan to address an allegation of sexual abuse against Michael Jackson in 1993. However, those scenes had to be removed after the producers discovered a clause in the agreement with the young complainant that prohibited their representation or mention in film or television.
Keep reading:
·“Michael” grosses $18.5 million at the international box office
Pablo Escobar’s son claims that his father wanted to kidnap the idol Michael Jackson
·Jaafar Jackson cleared up the misconception that his uncle Michael Jackson wanted to be white