Spike Lee Defends ‘Michael’ Against Critics as Box Office Success Continues

Spike Lee is stepping into the ring for ‘Michael’ and is not holding back. The iconic filmmaker spoke to CNN this weekend, defending Lionsgate’s blockbuster Michael Jackson biopic against critics who have raised concerns about its choice not to address the abuse allegations that followed the pop icon later in life. Lee emphasized that he has seen the film twice, loved it both times, and believes the criticism fundamentally misinterprets the type of movie it is.

Lee’s main argument is clear: the film concludes in 1988, while the first allegations against Jackson did not emerge publicly until 1993, making it impossible for those events to be included in the story’s timeline.

In his CNN interview, Lee pointed out that critics are evaluating the film based on elements they wish were included, which simply do not fit the narrative framework the filmmakers chose. This critique carries significant weight, especially coming from someone with a long-standing professional relationship with Jackson.

Lee and Jackson had a well-documented creative partnership. Lee directed Jackson’s 1996 music video for “They Don’t Care About Us” and later produced two documentaries celebrating his legacy, including “Bad 25” and “Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall.” During the CNN interview, Lee also expressed his personal feelings, stating he misses both Jackson and Prince, whom he described as brothers he was privileged to work with.

What many critics may overlook is how much the film’s ending was influenced by factors beyond the filmmakers’ control. The biopic was initially set to wrap in 2024, but production delays occurred when the Jackson estate invoked a legal clause from a settlement with the Chandler family, preventing their son Jordan from being depicted or mentioned in any commercial project.

The reshoots, which added an extra $15 million to an already hefty $155 million budget, were necessary to eliminate a finale involving a police investigation at Neverland Ranch and to shift the focus toward Jackson’s complicated relationship with his father.

The critical reception has been sharply divided, with ‘Michael’ holding a 37 percent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences have given it an impressive 97 percent rating. This disparity tells a compelling story.

The film opened to $97.5 million domestically in its first weekend and has since surpassed $423 million globally within just two weekends in theaters. These figures make it the highest-grossing music biopic since “Straight Outta Compton” in 2015.

With the first chapter of the story now complete, filmmakers are reportedly considering a sequel that would delve deeper into Jackson’s later years. Whether that follow-up will finally address the controversies remains uncertain, but for now, ‘Michael’ stands as a cultural phenomenon with a dedicated global audience and one of Hollywood’s most respected voices firmly in its corner.

Let us know in the comments whether you believe Spike Lee makes a valid point or if the film should have found a way to address Jackson’s complete legacy.