Leaving Neverland II: Surviving Michael Jackson

This follow up to the acclaimed documentary 'Leaving Neverland' tells of the fight of the people abused by Michael Jackson for legal justice (that abuse having been the subject of the earlier film). The film is short and doesn't waste time repeating the claims made in the earlier film; it's more of an update for those hoping that after its showing, something would be done. Now justice needs to be timely, but it sometimes seems that with sufficient money, you can basically escape the law simply by fighting on every possible point. One can think about the current U. S. President as one example; and the fact that the case against Jackson's estate will not be held until 2026 while Jackson's music continues to make millions for his heirs is surely a sign that something is wrong with the system. Also, why is it socially more acceptable to be a fan on Michael Jackson than of, say, Gary Glitter? Answers on a postcard...

Whereas the original Leaving Neverland from 2019 was an important document of two men telling their version of the truth about what happened at Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch in the 1990s, this follow-up documentary is a feeble and vapid attempt at milking the old formula and placing blame where it arguably doesn't belong. Suing a business for what one of their deceased employees did in his own home outside of work seems a particularly dangerous path to tread - and a little too obviously motivated by money. The lack of such motivation was supposed to be exactly what made Jackson and Safechuck's testimonies so hard-hitting and valid in the first film.

A failed second attempt of a ' documentary ' that still doesn't cover the facts surrounding Michael Jackson's allegations.

The two proven liars in this along with the desperate director just come across as false and needy for attention.

There's also nothing new in this, just the usual sombre violin music played over shots of these men who have back tracked on their support of the deceased popstar.

Of course, the future court case will shed a lot more light on the facts surrounding this cash grab than the two past films.

And then I believe we are going to be treated to a third, a trilogy of this is beyond a joke.

More of the same, the same garbage without any foundation as in the first part. If you like to waste time and have an empty head, it's for you.

"Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson" - An Exercise in Sensationalism and Repetition

Dan Reed returns to the charge with Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson, a sequel that not only lacks informative value, but also insists on exploiting a worn narrative without providing strong evidence or new perspectives. More than a serious documentary, this production seems like a desperate attempt to remain relevant at the expense of the memory of Michael Jackson, without any kind of impartiality or journalistic rigor.

Repetitive and without new content

If the first Leaving Neverland was already criticized for its lack of verifiable evidence and its obvious bias, this second part does nothing more than recycle the same testimonies without adding anything substantial. Wade Robson and James Safechuck repeat their accusations, but without providing additional documentation or evidence to support their statements, which makes this "documentary" a redundant monologue.

Total lack of balance and objectivity

A serious documentary should present different perspectives, but Leaving Neverland 2 completely ignores any opinion that does not fit with its narrative. There are no interviews with impartial experts, with lawyers in the case, with Jackson's family or with people who lived with the artist. The absence of any attempt at contrast or rigorous investigation shows that this is not a documentary, but a propaganda pamphlet.

Dan Reed's shameless opportunism

Dan Reed presents himself as a denunciation filmmaker, but in reality he is a mercenary of the scandal. His only objective is to continue squeezing a controversial issue that has generated income and media attention. Instead of searching for the truth, Reed is dedicated to reinforcing a unique version of the facts, ignoring contradictions and elements that could weaken his story.

An unfounded attack against someone who cannot defend himself

Michael Jackson is not alive to respond to these accusations, which makes this "documentary" even more questionable. It's easy to build a narrative when the other party has no way to defend themselves, and that's exactly what Reed does: presenting testimonies without questioning them, avoiding any serious scrutiny.

An opportunistic and manipulative work

Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson is just an unnecessary and opportunistic replay of his predecessor. Without new evidence, without objectivity and without the intention of thorough investigation, this production is an insult to documentary journalism. Instead of shedding light on the truth, it only perpetuates the morbid and sensationalism. A junk product that doesn't deserve anyone's time.

What absolute dross.

Zero factuality, just more sad music and repetitive nonsense, zero explanation of multiple issues raised regarding the first instalment, and the same old circular reasoning of "it's true because they said it's true".

Despite the multiple issues raised casting serious doubt on these stories, including but not limited to literally alleging an encounter in a building that wasn't built until years after the alleged incident as proven by building permits and photographs, this was not touched upon and instead swept under the carpet in the hopes it would be ignored.

I do hope no one watched with the expectation of anything new or logical as it's a complete waste of time.