2/5 starsThere is a huge elephant in the room with Michael, the slick but insubstantial new biopic about the “King of Pop”.Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) and made in cooperation with the Michael Jackson estate, the film features all the singer’s mega-hits, from “Beat It” and “Billie Jean” to “Thriller” and “Bad”. But it shirks the controversies that dogged the music star in his later years – when he was accused of child molestation, something he always denied.Originally expected a year ago, the film underwent reshoots when lawyers realised that a settlement with Jordan Chandler, one of Jackson’s accusers, prohibited any mention of him in a movie.So what does that leave us with? A flashy film with great tunes that skates over the wider picture – something the film’s producer, Graham King, faced with his Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. That movie took a staggering US$910 million worldwide; Jackson’s enduring popularity suggests Michael could do the same.What Michael does have going for it is terrific performances.