April saw the release of Antoine Fuqua's Michael, the instant smashhit biopic chronicling the life of the King of Pop, portrayed by Juliano Valdi and the star's real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson. One word above all fits both figure and film: divisive. Whilst initial reviews were scathing—one might say they were "bad, bad, really really bad!"—audience reactions have told a different story.

The film's $217 million opening has made it the biggest biopic opening ever, beating even Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, and a sequel going beyond the Bad Tour into the 90s and beyond is already planned. Social media is plastered with fans raving about the film and MJ's music, not to mention plenty of videos of packed cinemas cheering and singing along. Michael-mania is back in full force and it's as if the 80s never left.

Michael-mania is back in full force and it’s as if the 80s never left

Such is the divide between fans and critics that many have now been telling the early reviewers to "beat it." Whilst Jackson himself famously sang that "it doesn't matter who's wrong or right," GairRhydd asks: does the truth about Michael lie with its critics or its fans? Truthfully, the answer is somewhere in the middle. Writing as someone who has grown up around Michael Jackson's music, it's clear that love for MJ's songs quite easily translates into love for the film.

Showstopping recreations of iconic performances such as 'Billie Jean' and 'Bad' left audiences enthralled. The moment when 'Human Nature' is performed in its entirety is a particularly chillinducing highlight, as is the behind-the-scenes look at the legendary 'Beat It’ video’s creation. Both actors who portray Jackson are also phenomenal.

Valdi, who plays the singer as a child, brings an equally adorable innocence and heartbreaking quality to his performance. Nevertheless, it’s Jaafar Jackson that steals the show. Perfectly embodying his uncle’s mannerisms and demeanour, watching this remarkable, starmaking turn truly is like seeing MJ himself on the screen.

For those with an interest in the man beyond the music, though, Michael might be underwhelming. Above all, it's disappointing how a film telling the story of such a unique individual feels so familiar. There's little here that differentiates it from Bohemian Rhapsody, Bob Dylan-biopic A Complete Unknown, or last year's Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere.

The plot follows the increasingly tired arc of child prodigy to international superstar, lacking an emotional hook—like the in-depth character study of Elton John in Rocketman—to engage non-fans. Indeed, the 'Smooth Criminal' singer is barely characterised beyond being portrayed as saintly and slightly strange, and even that unusual personality is barely examined beyond the surface. The one real attempt at depth comes with the focus on the star's relationship with his father.

It is welldocumented how Joe Jackson's abuse brought his son's success at the cost of his childhood. Seeing this storyline played out onscreen is heartbreaking, with Colman Domingo's intimidating, domineering performance being a standout, bringing some much-needed emotional complexity to an otherwise very straightforward film. However, perhaps straightforward is all Michael needs to be.

Its admittedly considerable flaws might be off-putting if you haven't got an established interest in the film's subject. Yet, for any Michael Jackson fans— including my MJ-superfan aunt, Linda Vincent, who reviewed it as “absolutely incredible”—they're easy to ignore. If that's you, you would be wise to moonwalk down to your local cinema and book a ticket.

Michael isn't bad at all—to the right audience, it's a real thriller.