'Michael' and 'Elvis,' the films

EPIC: Elvis Presley in Concert (2025)

I liked EPIC Elvis (in concert) better because it was authentic, a documentary with lots of actual film of the king performing, talking, and background scenes, while the story of Michael is acted, fairly much a hagiography endorsed by the Jackson family. (Michael's son, Prince Jackson, was the executive producer and on set a lot.)

As with books, I prefer non-fiction.

Peopl

Juliano Valdi is young Michael and Larenz Tate is Berry Gordy in Michael/photo by Glen Wilson/Lionsgate

Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew and the son of Jermaine Jackson, one of the Jackson 5, is the star who does sing the songs which was surprising to me, expecting lip syncing, but some of the numbers are his voice on Michael's tracks, according to his remarks on the Today show April 2, 2026.

Nevertheless, he and Juliano Vardi as the young Michael did incredible jobs, but they were not "Michael." Elvis was "Elvis."  (See my review of EPIC Elvis at the link above.) 

Jaafar Jackson is Michael Jackson in Michael/photo by Glen Wilson/Lionsgate

Whereas Elvis has many more of his top hits included in the film, almost all of Michael's are shortened and it's not until near the end of Michael that we get even close to a full version of one of his songs.

Colman Domingo is Joe Jackson, the father, in Michael/photo by Glen Wilson/Lionsgate
 

Colman Domingo is Joe Jackson, the father, and every bit as despicable as rumors have him to be, but spectacular here whom I hope will be nominated for an Oscar. 

Nia Long is Michael’s mother, rather weak and maybe she was in real life.  

The negative parts of Michael's life are generally ignored with the film ending abruptly, lamely with “to be continued." I'll say.

Save your IMAX money for something better than Michael since an IMAX screen is not as vital as it was for Elvis, but who's to know on the front end?  I am here to tell you. 

I'm glad I took the advice advertised at Cinema Arts Fairfax to see Elvis on IMAX.  What a difference it made!  

I tried to see it again on IMAX the following weekend, but alas, could find no area theatres screening it. 

Later, I rushed to see Michael at the same IMAX (Tysons, VA) where most of the seats were sold on the first Saturday afternoon after its release, but IMAX for Michael was not necessary and besides, it set me back $33+!  Even with my senior rate and a 15 % discount for an afternoon show, admission was $19.99. Add a small popcorn and drink for a grand total of $33.  Yikers!

Take me to the bank.

patricialesli@gmail.com

'Elvis in Concert,' yes, he is!

Elvis is alive and well up on the big screen and the surround sound music takes you there!

 It’s a must see at IMAX!

 Let the foot tapping and stomping begin!

Many times I caught myself smiling, laughing, and I had to exercise restraint to keep from clapping at the end of some songs because I forgot I wasn’t at a concert! 

It’s a first-person experience!

The movie is all Elvis talking and singing, with backstage interviewers asking questions and other than that, the only voice is mostly his. 

His biggest hits are, natch, here and not just snippets but most with close to full versions and some, new to me.

He often, many times (!) kissed women in the audience who literally threw themselves at him, some even making it to the stage, hard to consider in our security-conscious world today.

His Army career from 1958 to 1960 didn't deter Elvis long, and after formulaic movies, he returned to the venue he loved the most: in front of a live audience which is what we were at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on April 8, 1972.

I must say it wasn’t a great show then: too short, he didn’t come back to the stage to sing one last song and from our vantage point (near the ceiling), he was no bigger than the size of the tip of my little finger. 

Readers: This film is much, much better than our personal experience!  This is live!  This is solid entertainment!

In Las Vegas he performed to constant sold-out shows, sometimes twice a day, losing four to five pounds.

His huge orchestra was much bigger than I ever envisioned. Elvis seemed to love joking around with his backup singers and crew, loved by all. 

He was such a sexually hunk of man, so appealing with those beautiful blue eyes, long eyelashes, and mannerisms.

Except for an accompanying song, his marriage to Priscilla (b. 1945) is treated wordlessly with videos of his daughter, Lisa Marie (1968-2023) as an infant and toddler.

Nearing the end of the film, I wondered how his death would be handled:  respectfully, as it was.  

Epic: Elvis in Concert is a great escape from the world today.

A note near the end says between 1969 and 1977 Elvis gave 1,100 concerts, sometimes three a day including the year he died, 1977.

It’s been years (say, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid? Waaay back in 1969 ) that I’ve wanted to see a movie twice. 

I be goin’ back to Elvis! 

And if you don't like Elvis (1935-1977), you'll like Elvis!

Congratulations to Baz Luhrmann for the Best Documentary and a rockin' good time at the movies!

patricialesli@gmail.com