Rammed with every music-movie cliche, an almost mute supporting cast and a Michael who only produces endless smiley blandness, this is a frustratingly shallow film

"Michael," in theaters Friday, recreates Michael Jackson's greatest hits with the familiar shorthand for which biopics are rightfully mocked.

Rammed with every music-movie cliche, an almost mute supporting cast and a Michael who only produces endless smiley blandness, this is a frustratingly shallow film

A new biopic, titled Michael, sees the singer's nephew Jaafar Jackson portray his uncle's rise to fame.

Antoine Fuqua's biopic sidesteps any controversy by focusing on the singer's early career, but stands out for the way it recreates the electricity of his live performances.