The King of Pop vs. The Vampires: UDC Debates if ‘Michael’ Surpasses ‘Sinners
Move over, summer blockbusters—the conversation at the University of the District of Columbia has shifted toward the “King of Pop.” Since its release on April 24, the new Michael Jackson biopic, “Michael,” has become the primary topic of debate in student lounges and across the Van Ness campus.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, the film has set off a firestorm of comparisons to Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” which dominated the cultural zeitgeist just one year ago. While Sinners took a supernatural, horror-tinged approach to Black history in the Jim Crow South, Michael offers a sprawling, high-energy look at the rise of the world’s greatest entertainer. For many UDC students, the question isn’t just about box office numbers but about which film captured the “Black excellence” aesthetic more effectively.
The performances by Michael are on another level. Jaafar literally becomes his uncle,” said one student during a heated discussion in the Student Center. People loved Sinners for that dual Michael B. Jordan performance, but Michael feels like a once-in-a-lifetime cultural moment. It might actually be better than Sinners because of how much it means to the music.
There’s a clear divide,” noted William Hanff. “Students are responding to the nostalgia and the sheer spectacle of the performances. Even if the script plays it safe, the energy in the theater is undeniable. It’s the kind of movie that demands a second and third viewing just to catch all the references to MJ’s short films and tour setups.
Whether it truly surpasses the masterpiece that was Sinners remains a matter of personal taste, but one thing is certain: Michael has successfully revived the feeling of “event cinema” for the Firebird community.
