The 92% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes tells you exactly what kind of movie this is: it’s a prestige documentary. It isn't trying to be a tabloid-style exposé or a flashy concert film. Instead, it treats the transition from the Jackson 5 to Michael’s solo career as a serious piece of American history. For a parent, the value here isn't just the music—it’s the look at a young person trying to outgrow his family’s expectations and find his own voice.
The "Grind" Phase
Most kids know Michael Jackson as a finished product—the "King of Pop" who was already a global titan. This doc is more interesting because it shows him as a student. We see him moving from the rigid, factory-like structure of Motown to a place where he’s finally making his own creative choices.
If you have a kid who is into any kind of creative pursuit—whether it’s music, digital art, or even coding—there is a lot of value in seeing the "work" behind the genius. The film spends a lot of time on the technical side of the 1979 album Off the Wall, showing how he obsessed over specific sounds and rhythms. It’s a great counter-narrative to the idea that talent is just something you’re born with; it shows that even the best in the world had to hustle to be taken seriously as adults.
Pacing and Expectations
Let’s be clear: this is a "talking head" documentary. You’re going to see a lot of interviews with industry legends and musicians. For a generation raised on three-second hooks and rapid-fire editing, the 2016 production style might feel a bit static.
It’s the kind of movie that works best if you’re watching it on a decent sound system. The music is the main character, and the documentary does a great job of isolating tracks so you can hear exactly why a specific bassline or vocal hiccup changed the game. If your teen is the type to put on headphones and disappear into an album, they’ll find this fascinating. If they just want the "greatest hits" on shuffle, they might be checking their phone by the halfway mark.
Why the 1970s Matter
The film stops right before the Thriller era, which is a smart move. It keeps the focus on the art rather than the circus that followed. By sticking to the Motown-to-1979 timeline, the filmmakers avoid the heavy, controversial baggage of MJ’s later life. This makes it a very "safe" watch, but also a very focused one.
It functions as a time capsule of the disco and funk era. For a teen who thinks "old music" is just anything from before 2010, this is a solid education in how the 70s shaped everything they hear on the radio today. It’s less about the man and more about the evolution of a sound that still dominates pop culture. If they liked the vibe of recent retro-focused docs or even the "making of" features for modern pop stars, this is the original blueprint.
