New Delhi, April 22 -- The release of Michael has triggered a split response, with critics and audiences reacting in sharply different ways.

The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and centred on the life of Michael Jackson, currently holds a 27% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The score reflects a largely negative critical reception, even as audience reactions continue to vary across platforms.

Early reviews from critics have pointed to familiar patterns often seen in music biopics. One widely shared reaction stated, "MICHAEL hits every biopic cliche without ever digging deeper into the man, or pulling back the curtain. Jackson is treated as a messiah, which makes for a pretty dull story. No doubt, the music is as stunning as ever, but the film...