The Michael Jackson fans online, a dedicated and persistent group, are very excited.
They see online that special screenings set for Wednesday, April 22nd are sold very well and almost sold out. They think that indicates a massive box office hit for Lions Gate, which is releasing the film.
Unfortunately, they’re not looking at the real preview night of Thursday, April 23rd or opening day of Friday, April 24th — or subsequent days.
Just looking at AMC Lincoln Square in New York, those dates are far from sold out. The good news is that on the Thursday, “Michael” is well sold at the 7:30pm IMAX screening. But other shows, in the regular and Dolby Theaters, are a little meh.
At Lincoln Square, the Dolby Theater — which is where I’d like to see “Michael” for the sound — is wide open at every hour.
This scenario is much the same Friday night, as well. IMAX in good shape, everything else quite iffy.
Things are much the same for April 23rd at The Grove in Los Angeles. The prime time showings are totally open. Same at The Grove for Friday as in New York.
IMAX seems to be the best for Antoine Fuqua’s musical film. But it also feels like reviews and word of mouth are vital for this movie’s success.
A couple of things out in the public are hovering over “Michael.” First, the headlines about Michael’s daughter, Paris, suing the Estate. The details are unimportant to the moviegoing audience, but it’s a negative. There are also the posthumous sexual malfeasance accusations against Michael by the family he was close with during his life. The Cascios always defended him. Now they’re trying to get a chunk of cash from his legacy.
Smartly, “Michael” seems like it ends in 1990, just like the successful “MJ” Broadway show. Jackson is on a high from an amazing decade of “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” and “Bad.” This is because things get weird after that, and by 1993 he’s embroiled in scandals that last til the end of his life in 2009. (A sequel is ill-advised.)
Again, the only way around the darker elements is to create a real buzz beyond Jackson’s dedicated serious fans.
But with that incredible catalog of hits, and the dazzling re-enactments of Michael Jackson singing and dancing — from his nephew Jaafar Jackson — there’s a good chance that “Michael” will be starting something.
