A warning, this episode contains mentions of sexual abuse.

Michael Jackson was one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, so it's only natural that he's the subject of a glossy, big-budget biopic.

Michael dramatizes the singer's rise in the 60s, up through a performance of bad in the late 80s.

The film leans heavily on the depiction of live performances led by Jafar Jackson, who is Michael's real-life nephew.

But it steers entirely clear of the controversies that dogged the singer.

I'm Stephen Thompson.

Today we are talking about Michael on Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR. Joining me today is my co-host, Aisha Harris. Hey, Aisha. Ah, he, he, he. Hello, Stephen. Shimon! Also with us, journalist and host of the movie review podcast, Seated Trevelle Anderson.

Hey, Trevelle.

I'm just going to give y'all a regular old hello if that's okay.

Treville, you were the one I most wanted to hear saying, no offense to Aisha.

He was an excellent, excellent singer.

Thank you.

All right, so the new movie biopic of Michael Jackson follows a lot of traditional biopic beats.

Young Michael Jackson, played by Giuliano Valdi, is growing up in Gary, Indiana with his many brothers and sisters.

Their parents are overbearing Joseph, played by Coleman Domingo, and Catherine played by Neil Long.

And look, we all know where the Michael Jackson story goes from there.

The Jackson Five get huge, Michael is the breakout star, he goes solo, he becomes the biggest

pop star in the world upon the release of Thriller in 1982.

There are no spoilers for this movie because it shows you the stuff

everyone has seen, iconic performances, the making of videos for thriller and beat it,

bubbles the chimp, and the mishap during a commercial shoot in which Michael Jackson's

hair caught fire. The film itself has the buy-in and support of most of Michael Jackson's

...