The Michael Jackson biopic is a glossy MCU movie. (Part II is just Avengers: Endgame.)
Michael is officially the highest-grossing music biopic and has crossed over $1 billion at the box office.
You’re welcome.
The music still moves.
The short films—not music videos—remain astonishing and timeless.
The Beat It jacket could use more zippers.
Michael is also a subtle testament to all of our ‘80s efforts as Smooth Criminals.
Michael Jackson is not Michael Jackson without our impatient efforts to tape songs off the radio. Well…as long as the annoying DJ didn’t talk over the Billie Jean intro.
We made mixtapes: greatest hits arranged by emotion.
We lent out his records to friends…and never saw them again.
We cursed out a Walkman’s mom when it ate a Thriller tape.
Then went back to the music store to get a fresh tape.
Windows down; system up: slowly cruising through the hood.
It was stunning to witness:
We Did That.
We Built That.
We said yes to so much because it made us happy.
We constantly pushed Play—because it was an irresistible invitation.
An architect only draws up plans…he presents a Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ vision.
He doesn’t summon a skyscraper with a hammer and nails.
It takes dedicated collective construction crews to properly pull that off.
Yo.
We Did That.
We Built That.
Say thank you.
Michael is now streaming on Starz: #SetTheVCR.
In Canada it’ll stream on Crave on August 14.
Sammy Verdict: We build up pop culture like a child builds using Legos.
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Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair podcast: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.
