Read Mixed User Reviews for Rocketman

4

jakeshilohJun 1, 2019

Where's the band??? Guitarist Davey Johnstone, Drummer Nigel Olsson, Percussionist Ray Cooper, etc. --- guys who have toured with Elton for more than 40 years are quite literally non-existent. The director seems to go out of his way NOT toWhere's the band??? Guitarist Davey Johnstone, Drummer Nigel Olsson, Percussionist Ray Cooper, etc. --- guys who have toured with Elton for more than 40 years are quite literally non-existent. The director seems to go out of his way NOT to show Elton with his band. One gets that Rocketman is a self-obsessed, self-portrait and isn't primarily about the making of music. Nevertheless, you would think that anyone important in Elton's life during that period would (at least ) appear in a cameo of sorts. Yet throughout the 2-hour Rocketman film we catch not a word from --- nor even a glimpse of --- a recognizable band member. Instead Elton is occasionally seen solo at the piano, or more often on his feet surrounded by a motley cast of dancers, looking very un-Eltonlike. Sadly, one is left with the impression that the band means nothing to Elton. Nor does Elton ever seem to have any connection to his audience.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

All this user's reviews

6

SimonsRantsJun 5, 2019

The predominant style over substance approach only works partially in this half biopic half music video take on the life and career of Elton John. I left the theater with a smile on my face, but also wishing that those brief moments ofThe predominant style over substance approach only works partially in this half biopic half music video take on the life and career of Elton John. I left the theater with a smile on my face, but also wishing that those brief moments of brilliance had carried on throughout.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

5

screenplayhouseJun 5, 2019

I pulled my original review and am posting this because I've grown more and more annoyed by this disappointment. This film boils down to this tagline: "My life was unbelievably miserable & I had no fun being Elton John... THE MUSICAL."

I'mI pulled my original review and am posting this because I've grown more and more annoyed by this disappointment. This film boils down to this tagline: "My life was unbelievably miserable & I had no fun being Elton John... THE MUSICAL."

I'm a lifelong 47 Year Elton fan. I've been through thick and thin with him. Comebacks and misfires. When he went into recovery he was very happy to tell people two things: 1.) I did a lot of booze, drugs, bulimia, shopping & 2.) A lot of my music suffered because of it.

As this movie liberally rewrites history, so does Elton with this type of comment. "Oh? You didn't like LEATHER JACKETS? Me neither. But I was so drunk then, wasn't I?" Isn't that a little too simple? Too easy?

There's something wrong with this movie underneath the surface. In a weird way it's like yet another career suicide attempt, where the movie tries it's hardest to kill that happy place you had for this man's better music and happier moments.

Please understand. I'm not seeking a Disney version of his story. I'm an ugly truth guy. I actually despise most Disney films. But two hours of whining does not an entertainment make. If this film had included a third hour -- full of happier moments, comebacks, triumphs, finding the love of his life, adopting kids -- THEN you'd have something. And if the real events were married to the real music of that moment you'd have something wonderful.

As this film stands -- I can't tell a soul to see it. They'd have no idea why I recommended the man or his music. If you want to see a great 'film' about Elton John sit down, close your eyes, and listen to GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD from beginning to end.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

6

spongeswiftJun 1, 2019

Elton John is a musical legend and he had so much potential to have an unbeatable biopic but a lot of its potential was wasted in musical numbers. The exploration of his sexuality and substance abuse was so magical that it gave me chills butElton John is a musical legend and he had so much potential to have an unbeatable biopic but a lot of its potential was wasted in musical numbers. The exploration of his sexuality and substance abuse was so magical that it gave me chills but some of the film, especially the beginning felt way too much like a Disney musical. I did like some of these musical scenes but I would've preferred if half of them weren't there. Taron Egerton played the role so beautifully and gave Elton's discography such a smooth twist. Overall this movie is average, It's flaws hurt a lot of the beautifully executed parts.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

6

Rebecca31May 31, 2019

The musical biopics are still going strong, with the immense success of Bohemian Rhapsody it’s no surprise Elton John has hopped on the bandwagon and this is just the beginning. Give it a few more years and there’ll be a biopic for everyThe musical biopics are still going strong, with the immense success of Bohemian Rhapsody it’s no surprise Elton John has hopped on the bandwagon and this is just the beginning. Give it a few more years and there’ll be a biopic for every major artist, wait for it. I’ve nothing against these fairy tale biopics, though it would be nice to have a few documentaries to go along with it. We know a lot of Bohemian Rhapsody was made up or at the very least a lot of the more risky aspects of Freddie Mercury’s life were either downplayed or left out completely. Although Rocketman doesn’t hold back in many ways it also appears to be a work of fiction, entertaining yes but accurate? I doubt it.

You can let that bother you or you can just make the decision to get over it and accept what Rocketman has to offer. I didn’t believe half of it but it’s still very entertaining, for me it wasn’t quite as enjoyable as Bohemian Rhapsody (Yes I loved Bohemian Rhapsody, get over it) but Rocketman plays a lot more like a musical, a fact I did not know beforehand so I was surprised when the entire ensemble breaks into full musical numbers at every opportunity. Once the shock of that is over you eventually come to expect this every fifteen minutes or so. Dexter Fletcher did well to take on Bohemian Rhapsody and he was the perfect choice to direct Rocketman. It’s also not just about the song writing process but uses as many songs as possible to move the plot along, it’s very much incorporated into the film and it works because who doesn’t love a bit of Elton John? One thing is certain, Taron Egerton knocks it out of the park. I was more than sceptical when I heard he was using his real voice and not miming but those fears melted away very quickly and no doubt they’ll be some Oscar buzz around his performance next year. Or at the very least they should be sure to give a nomination to the fabulous costumes, some of which are used for only a moment, I can’t imagine all the work that went into that. The musical biopics will always do very well because of one simple reason, the music. Queen, Elton John, choose the right artist or band and as long as you have a director who knows what he’s doing, a cast who are passionate about the project then there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be a massive success. Recommended for all the Elton fans.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

All this user's reviews

6

tropicAcesMay 30, 2019

For my money, “Straight Outta Compton” is still the musical biopic to beat, but major props to this film for striving to be different. It’s much more of a stage musical than anything we’ve seen in this genre before, and Egerton is anFor my money, “Straight Outta Compton” is still the musical biopic to beat, but major props to this film for striving to be different. It’s much more of a stage musical than anything we’ve seen in this genre before, and Egerton is an entertaining Elton John.… Expand

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

All this user's reviews

4

FelicityFenwickMay 30, 2019

One of the "lesser" musical biographies I've seen. If you're going to strive for a true musical, like this one does, you have move the audience, and Rocketman simply doesn't. Sure, you get Elton John's life story (with a tragicallyOne of the "lesser" musical biographies I've seen. If you're going to strive for a true musical, like this one does, you have move the audience, and Rocketman simply doesn't. Sure, you get Elton John's life story (with a tragically truncated last 15 mins or so), but there's nothing really compelling about it. Nothing that a regular fan can sympathize with. I wish they'd have rather just done a straight drama with Talon playing Elton. The "musical" element was lost on my completely.… Expand

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

All this user's reviews

4

defdog99May 31, 2019

Bohemian Rhapsody was the best movie last year. I gave it a 91. I'm giving Rocketman a 45. Rocketman is basically a broadway show where they will breakout into song or dance at any time like Fiddler on the Roof. BR on the other hand madeBohemian Rhapsody was the best movie last year. I gave it a 91. I'm giving Rocketman a 45. Rocketman is basically a broadway show where they will breakout into song or dance at any time like Fiddler on the Roof. BR on the other hand made you feel like you were watching actual documentary about Queen. In BR you truly cared about his love interests. In Rocketman, they are just kind there on screen for a sec and then off screen for good. My friend loved Rocketman though.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

All this user's reviews

6

shpostalJun 2, 2019

I love music but I hate musicals. Always have. So "Rocketman" on that level does nothing for me. Let's look at the problem with a film that tries to be a bio but insists on inserting the usual "musical" interludes with bigI love music but I hate musicals. Always have. So "Rocketman" on that level does nothing for me. Let's look at the problem with a film that tries to be a bio but insists on inserting the usual "musical" interludes with big productions, seemingly coming out of nowhere, bad edits of some of rock's greatest songs of all time, and next to no real focus on John's and Taupin's songs as far as inspiration, the story behind some of the songs, and again poor editing that cuts some of the songs in the worst possible places. The other problem as a musician myself is how the film's directors and Elton himself as Executive Producer saw fit to totally ignore his band of those glory years, not even mentioning them by name. So I will. Where is Davey Johnstone, Elton's superb guitarist, who contributed the tough edge of the music and great rhythm work on John's remake of The Who's "Pinball Wizard" or the furious guitar on "The **** Is Back"? No mention of him, bassist Dee Murray or drummer Nigel Ollson. Not a very nice thing to do to a faithful band if you ask me. The attention given Bernie Taupin was certainly important because he was and for all I know is a gifted lyricist who had a knack for putting into words a lot of the angst, personal strife and emotions of John's life. And the forays into fantastical episodes such as the scene in L.A.'s legendary Troubadour Lounge where Elton John made his first U.S. appearance and featured part of "Crocodile Rock" and everybody on the floor floating around I found overblown and silly. What those scenes were trying to do was to mythologize the man to ridiculous degrees. He was already a mythological figure without resorting to unnecessary production numbers that only slowed the story down. But not all is lost. When the film stays focused on the real life and times of Elton John from childhood to superstardom, Taron Egerton does a great job as John. He indeed does a good job singing, although I would have preferred Elton's own vocals, as was the case with "Bohemian Rhapsody" and just some straight numbers without the song and dance routine. Like so many other icons in the entertainment industry, who are surrounded by sycophants, money grubbing thieves and hangers on all leaching the blood out of said performer, Elton John too suffered from the usual drug and alcohol addictions, struggled with his homosexuality at a time when it was indeed risky to step out and declare himself gay. All in all, if you like the musical format you'll find this a better film than I did, but it isn't bad by any stretch. It just irks me that the band itself was totally left out of the film. Of course Elton is sober now and has been 28 years, good for him. He and his husband have been together for a very long time and he has donated $450 million dollars to HIV/AIDS research worldwide. That is a lot of money and Sir Elton is to be commended. An up and down bio-pic aside, Elton John was one of the great rock and roll performers in history, wrote some of the most beautiful music ever created in a pop setting "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" my favorite tune of his that is on a par with timeless classics of anything by the Beatles, and even tunes that will always be with us like "Over The Rainbow" or "When You Wish Upon A Star", which were enormously popular tunes in their day and rightfully so. Sometimes the world gets lucky and perfect or near perfect music is bestowed upon us destined to last forever, like some of the classical bits Elton practiced as a youth.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

6

Rej72380May 31, 2019

Rocketman is a very good biopic about the early life of rock musician Elton John. While the film does a very good job replicating the story, it gets docked a few points for having the various musical scenes, which makes it play out more likeRocketman is a very good biopic about the early life of rock musician Elton John. While the film does a very good job replicating the story, it gets docked a few points for having the various musical scenes, which makes it play out more like a Rogers and Hammerstein play than a biopic. It's worth seeing, but be prepared for some off-kilter plot devices.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

6

BikerjamesOct 30, 2019

This is a really difficult movie to critique. Elton is my favorite musician of all time. This movie is filmed in a fantastical musical style, taking leeway with the timelines of the songs. For example, they have him starting with CrocodileThis is a really difficult movie to critique. Elton is my favorite musician of all time. This movie is filmed in a fantastical musical style, taking leeway with the timelines of the songs. For example, they have him starting with Crocodile Rock at the famous Troubadour show that rocketed him to fame. That song was written several years later and was never played at the Troubadour. The second half of the film is a complete downer, concentrating on his drug and alcohol abuse which is extensive. I can't help but think that Elton experienced SOME good times during this period as well. He even toured Russia with Ray Cooper during this time, something nobody had ever done before that was never mentioned in the film. I was very disappointed that his fantastic band mates, Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson, and Dee Murray were never mentioned and they certainly had a part in the overall success. As far as the portrayal, Taron Egerton does a great job. I honestly would have preferred he lip sang to Elton's songs, because his voice is nothing like Eltons and I found it distracting, but at least he can sing, and he looks somewhat like Elton. Overall the movie was such a downer that it isn't something I would want to watch again. The movie seems to have been made with Broadway in mind rather than a straight up Documentary style. Not my cup of tea.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

zembowerboyJun 13, 2019

Oh how conflicted I am after watching Rocketman.

As for the positives, it is very evident the heart and soul that went into this production. It's also refreshing that it doesn't resort to hagiography or making Elton out to be a saint. If youOh how conflicted I am after watching Rocketman.

As for the positives, it is very evident the heart and soul that went into this production. It's also refreshing that it doesn't resort to hagiography or making Elton out to be a saint. If you know his history or have seen his documentary Tantrums & Tiaras, then you know that Elton was prone to angry outbursts, not to mention his battle with drugs. The film doesn't paint him as a saint, and it's all the better for it.

As for Taron Egerton, he absolutely demands year end awards notice. If Rami Malik's lip-syncing, surface level, impersonation of a performance can win him an Oscar, it is Egerton who truly deserves the praise. His voice is beautiful, and instead of just trying to mimic Elton John, he finds the perfect balance of embodying him while still making the role his own. He is absolutely phenomenal.

Unfortunately, Rocketman never takes off the way I wanted it to. There are some stand out musical numbers, but more often than not they end before they are able to truly exhilarate. While placing certain songs at the wrong times in John's life. There are plenty of other fabrications or embellishments of his life (he didn't get his last name from John Lennon, for instance) that are just unnecessary.

I'm a huge Elton John fan, and Rocketman is far from terrible. But unfortunately it's also a bit of a disappointment. Still, Egerton is outstanding.

I just wish I loved it more.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

5

cag345Jun 7, 2019

The film sometimes lacks genuine emotion, which forcibly tries to introduce with a host of unnecessary and extremely incoherent musical numbers in certain points of the film. As a musical, it can be poor, but as a drama, that is where theThe film sometimes lacks genuine emotion, which forcibly tries to introduce with a host of unnecessary and extremely incoherent musical numbers in certain points of the film. As a musical, it can be poor, but as a drama, that is where the strengths of the film are shown. A musician who drags his own demons while trying to survive in the music industry is something that can be interesting, especially the way that the director conducted. Taron Egerton is incredible in his role (maybe not as Oscar winner) but rather credible and outstanding, also the actress Dallas-Howard, who is really good. Would I see it again? I doubt it, but I still applaud certain decisions in its execution, like the scene of forgiveness.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

4

marklaing1Apr 28, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I knew we were in trouble when I heard that Elton was making it himself as such vanity projects rarely turn out well. However, my wife saw it on a flight back to LA from NY and said it was great. OK, I'll give it a try.

Akk. It started out in rehab and ended in rehab. It's not so much a BioPic as a sort of tale of a star's rehab struggles, which is fine for a documentary.

Where was the story of "Yellow Brick Road", which was a flash on the screen in a montage, where are the rest of the band? What's up with that weird Kiki Dee scene which just kind of ends? I remember at the time Elton was so kind to help resurrect Kiki's career which was floundering and it just sort of drops into the movie. Weird. Yellow Brick Road hit us all at school like a bomb (I was going boarding school in the UK in the 70s so this was my generation) and it was amazing. We listened to it until the record was worn out. We loved, and still love Elton John's music.

Taron Egerton was sort of "OK". Too tall, too well-built but too little musical skill to carry off the famous tunes. I mean everyone in the world knows the great Elton John songs so why not use 'em?? Or start singing in the actors' voice then cut away to the real tune?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

5

TrevorsViewJun 13, 2019

Visualize: You are the Apollo 11. Your feet spit fire loud enough to launch you way, way high. You look down. You cannot distinguish the buildings. Suddenly, you see only clouds. Then, you see only stars. Too many to count. Days pass. WeeksVisualize: You are the Apollo 11. Your feet spit fire loud enough to launch you way, way high. You look down. You cannot distinguish the buildings. Suddenly, you see only clouds. Then, you see only stars. Too many to count. Days pass. Weeks pass. You must land on the moon. You must time the landing pads beneath you just right. The similar type of rough trip expressed by Rocketman drops you into what Elton John survived to semi-successful results.

If looking at this very okay movie based on its mixture of daydream and reality, it succeeds. But if looking at it based on how somewhat hopeful it achieves, it fails for the most part because of the terrible kid actors who never take off as tolerable to watch. The emotionally distant family setup around Elton John as he grows up reaches the point when the mom doesn’t even age at all over the many years depicted. There could have been a neat opportunity to utilize these traumatic flashbacks as context for his horrific concert costumes, but it was never taken.

Not to mention some brief moments suggest subliminal political incorrectness as if this movie was made back in the 1970s; the Blacks are portrayed as a group of people who exist only to lift White people higher, while an image of gemstones falling to the floor suggests inferiority of therapists compared to fame. But hey, at least the moment soars when he’s kissed by a guy to introduce his sexuality, while the lifestyle is objectional to some, at least that community is respectfully portrayed.

The cast does an alright job at acting like the influencers of him wanting to kill himself in order to change, but that’s no thanks to the producer’s influence. The product they give doesn’t know whether to be inspiring or depressing, but ultimately condescends to the viewer between the newspaper-fade editing and the slo-mo before his first live concert. Both of these overused filmmaking techniques end up increasing the emotional distance between the filmmakers and the audience.

Although this is still way worth the investment more than the tonally inconsistent Endgame, Rocketman knows not to win over the audience through stupid humor like Marvel immaturely resorts to. This is unfortunately one of those works of art downsized by the Disney franchises that rule the current box office, and deserves more attention than it got compared to what’s actually successful right now. Plenty of crowd-pleasing instances here succeed better than Marvel; the authenticity of its retelling about Elton John happens when he rocks out and everyone levitates, elevator boots brought up into the air. The fantasy imagery works particularly after his admittance of being an alcoholic, drug addict, and has a short fuse, which in another project would come off as gimmicky and cheesy.

After seeing how much Elton is shunned by his hateful parents who tell him he will never be loved, it excites even more to see the camera rotate around him on a piano for millions of adorers. By Mr. John’s side, Jamie Bell gives a performance that humanizes the dull hues to the childhood home, all blue and white without red.

Then those El Salvador colors transfer onto Mr. John’s epic glittering baseball uniform in a stadium that suggests a mastery over past pain. It echoes a childhood fantasy when a piano lights up Elton’s room for an orchestra, inspiring the purchasing of these Hermes boots when he’s older to fly past any competition. But none of these surreal images are quite as impactful as an underwater hallucination carrying the audio of outer space. Director Dexter Fletcher paces these events almost as if slowly inspiring the title song, right at the cold desaturated childhood neighborhood dance number while he flames red. For an affective attention to color, Fletcher could hold an Oscar sometime soon!

Still though, the blue steam on stage is no different than the basic imagery of other musician biopics. It attempts appeal to the homosexual community, but may not succeed to entertain either them or heterosexuals across multiple viewings because no one in the cast looks comfortable while singing. It also attempts to find common ground in appealing to older nostalgic audiences as well as younger folk, starting with the gripping intro of his backlit devil costume, a misfit. But odds are neither side will be attentive for long, as even one song that’s performed in a carnival gets pretty boring.

Now, visualize again: you fly back home from Luna. You finally land. You wonder, would putting a person on Mars really enhance humanity? Would extra-terrestrials come visit earth? Maybe they would, maybe they wouldn’t, it depends on whether they think Rocketman sets their line of priorities right. But there is one thing they will conclude for sure: while Elton John had a tremendous album of singles, the communication method taken here is not the answer to life’s questions.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

JLuis_001Jun 19, 2019

Sadly this wasn't the film I expected. I liked it, and I think it's a good film but it's also a film that stayed halfway to what it promised.

The story has its strengths and weaknesses and although the strengths help it a lot they neverSadly this wasn't the film I expected. I liked it, and I think it's a good film but it's also a film that stayed halfway to what it promised.

The story has its strengths and weaknesses and although the strengths help it a lot they never manage to compensate completely for their weaknesses and with this I mean the dramatic overload.
Rocketman is a good story about Elton John's life but I don't think that everything in it occurred with such dramatic and depressing weight that permeates for most of the narrative.

Music plays a crucial role and the musical numbers are the best that this story proposes. That helps to balance the tone and the rhythm is better after the first half hour.

Taron Egerton delivers the best performance of his career although unfortunately he will not receive the same recognition as Rami Malek despite having done a better job than him. Unfortunately, that's the way things are.

I would definitely recommend it. Like I said it wasn't what I expected but its quality sustains it well enough.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

geometricalMay 27, 2020

Far more self-indulgent than Bohemian Rhapsody, but still a great addition to the rock star biopic genre.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

amheretojudgeJun 3, 2019

Fletcher announces so marvellously in a smaller yet budding stage, what or how Bohemian Rhapsody should have been.

Rocketman Fletcher brags like no one. And usually that is not the key that would unlock a biography. But blending in theFletcher announces so marvellously in a smaller yet budding stage, what or how Bohemian Rhapsody should have been.

Rocketman

Fletcher brags like no one. And usually that is not the key that would unlock a biography. But blending in the musical genre, the calculative bragging or more precisely, celebratory note, turns this passionate project of, the director, Dexter Fletcher, into a crowd pleasing extravagance that is hungry for a round of applause. And I saw the film triumph, not on the roar it receives after the curtain drops down but the humming of these viewers in every musical number. The screenwriter Lee Hall is not taking any risks, it's just that, watching plenty of biographies himself, he has just decided to not steer down those repetitive mistakes as others did, and as a result, the film comes off as a breath of fresh air.

The textbook structure doesn't challenge me, nor the smartly installed levity in the narration, it is the surfing of the vital plot points as a highlight dashing across two straight hours and still not framing it as some dry news; that is surely challenging. And wishing luck to his script is Fletcher standing straight with an experience, that never takes over the film and instead respects the decision, room and pace of the storytelling by shattering these event into piece by piece.

Surprisingly, I never saw him put together all of it into one big puzzle, he is happy sharing them as memories rather than sweeping the floor in one big scoop. And his old time showbiz partner, Taron Egerton is flexing his muscles charismatically. Frankly, I didn't buy the casting choice earlier, but watching him dress up as Elton John and then later dress bling-y like him on stage is a whole new experience, You don't get to see someone prove yourself wrong in only two hours, nowadays, I was glad to be wrong as I was to watch him tune into the Rocketman of his own version.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

bataguilaJun 3, 2019

Es buena, la historia es buena. Los problemas por la que no es recomendable: la 1ra hora es un musical, la 2da hora ya es un película dramática; el drama se basa en que cada uno de los pesonajes le grita a Elton en su cara que es un fracasoEs buena, la historia es buena. Los problemas por la que no es recomendable: la 1ra hora es un musical, la 2da hora ya es un película dramática; el drama se basa en que cada uno de los pesonajes le grita a Elton en su cara que es un fracaso con su vida; y la resolución al drama es muy fácil y apurada; muchas escenas gay… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

ahmedaiman1999Sep 4, 2019

Elton John is one of my all-time favourite singers, so there's no need to say how much I was excited for this film. I also like Taron Egerton so much. I think he's one of the most talented young actors working today. My expectations were asElton John is one of my all-time favourite singers, so there's no need to say how much I was excited for this film. I also like Taron Egerton so much. I think he's one of the most talented young actors working today. My expectations were as high as a kite. The only thing I was concerned about is that this film is directed by Dexter Fletcher, the same man who was behind the abysmal Queen biopic. But what made Bohemian Rhapsody this bad is its troubled production anyway, right? Not really!

The first half is almost as perfunctory as Bohemian Rhapsody, and the second half is almost as messy as Bohemian Rhapsody. And it still has many outdated techniques that were used to force more events into sequences and make them more brief. Actually, it sounds as if Fletcher used here the same exact formula he used to make Bohemian Rhapsody. But these flaws can be partially justified this time by the fact this film doesn't intend to tell a story that captures the highs and lows of the artist, but rather to express them through the semi-fantastical approach it takes to tell its story. But there are also two major problems here that hindered the film to fully compensate for its shallow characters, clichés and messy structure.

I'm glad that Fletcher took some risks here. He tried to visually express Elton John's inner turmoil. He tried to tell his story of ups and down surrealistically using Elton's point of view. The thing is I couldn't even see there are ups and down; they are all downs. I believe that was intentional because the filmmakers knew that the plot is dramatically poor.

I think the fantastical elements don't add much to neither the story, nor the protagonist. Mostly, they ended up being nothing more than gimmicks. I believe no one can deny it was pretentious decision, and that Fletcher's ambition obviously exceeds his grasp by taking this decision besides using some other narration techniques.

However, I was quite entertained. Honestly, I think I never had a moment of boredom throughout the film's two-hour runtime! Mostly due to Egerton's powerhouse performance that definitely should earn him an Oscar nod. Jamie Bell who played Elton's writing partner, Bernie Taupin, is also great. I can say the same about all the actors and actresses in this film except for Bryce Dallas Howard and Steven Mackintoshwho played Elton's mother and father respectively. I know that it's their skin-deep, archetypal characters who are to blame, but I simply couldn't stand their appearances on the screen.

The second reason I enjoyed this film is that pretentious its narrative style as it is, I felt that it added some frequent and refreshing glimpses to an otherwise formulaic story that tries to conceal itself under the glitz and glamour of the irresponsible Elton John.

Finally, the third reason I kinda liked this film is that despite its glaring lack of dramatic heft, I found some rather emotional moments here and there that touched me quite a bit.

Rocketman really had potential to be a great, rather than an OK, film, if it was made by more efficient filmmakers. That said, I believe it's still better than Bohemian Rhapsody. I mean, at least it didn't make me stop listening to Elton John's songs!

(6/10)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

Mauro_LanariAug 7, 2019

(Mauro Lanari)
The music of the 70s was experiencing a new, different and involutionary phase. Baroque orchestrations, pianos instead of electric guitars, symphonic rock, glam rock, progressive rock, rock stars replaced by pop stars,(Mauro Lanari)
The music of the 70s was experiencing a new, different and involutionary phase. Baroque orchestrations, pianos instead of electric guitars, symphonic rock, glam rock, progressive rock, rock stars replaced by pop stars, performers and vocalists. Elton John and Bernie Taupin played a central role in this departure from the paradigm of rock composition. Very few of their songs are the exception, and it's no coincidence that they correspond to the more powerful scenes of the film: "Crocodile Rock" (which did not open the concert at the Troubadour since it had not yet been written), the cover of "Pinball Wizard" by Pete Townshend for the film "Tommy" (Ken Russell, 1975), the extraordinary "Rocket Man", which transcends any categorization. Director Dexter Fletcher catches two out of three cases to catapult himself into visionariness, more precisely into an audiovisual suspended between time and eternity. Decent and interesting the rest (a musical disguised as a biopic, yet sincere), but in those two moments one feels the thrill of great cinema.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

PrinceEurosteoJun 3, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It was gayer than I thought. And Going into this movie I knew he was gay. It was a pretty decent movie nonetheless.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

5

ShadtrainJun 9, 2019

Amazing film! Great costumes, music, acting, singing, dancing, editing! Do not miss it!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

5

TbonePdxJun 17, 2019

I've been a HUGE Elton fan since the late 70's when I was about 8 or 9 years old. So I went to see this movie without looking up the plot or reviews. I dislike musicals, so it goes without saying that this movie really didn't do it for me.I've been a HUGE Elton fan since the late 70's when I was about 8 or 9 years old. So I went to see this movie without looking up the plot or reviews. I dislike musicals, so it goes without saying that this movie really didn't do it for me. I did however appreciate the biography and in all fairness the songs took on a new meaning when paired with the storyline. But I don't like musicals...… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

5

madbrad61Jul 1, 2019

Found the movie disjointed and the music used to portray Elton John’s life not in sync with when the music was actually released.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

5

hnestlyontheslyOct 7, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Rocketman pulses with the energy of a lot of good people trying to do their best.

Right now, it’s nearly midnight and I’m writing this while looking down on the building that used to be my very favorite bookstore to visit across the street from my house, an old Borders and Books that went out of business probably more than ten years ago when I’d moved out and gone to college. Dad and I used to give ourselves forty minutes or more to walk down the street to the movies so that we could spend extra time browsing the stacks for new things to read. That place and that ritual were so special to me, the act of returning to a book I’d read before or planning the books I would read later. There were so many friends I met up with at that store, a lot of times that I got picked up there by my parents before we even lived nearby. I love being home and having time to spend doing small things with my family, my parents especially. Walking to the beach. Buying honeycrisps at the grocery store. Walking the dogs. Watching a movie for the first time together.

Walking out of the theater with my dad after seeing this movie, my first feelings were that it is hard to write true to life biopics about people who are still alive. Life is messy and without the neat marker of birth and dead, the totality of one’s choices, the trajectory their life seems uncertain and opaque.

Wife and Friend saw this the other day even though we’re apart, and both said that the winter sequence lasts the whole movie, which I think is another way of saying that Rocketman is a bittersweet portrayal of a complicated artist and a nuanced look at the people who shaped both his anxieties and success. Lots of reviews have commented on the fact that the biopic surprises by crafting Elton John as a sort of anti-hero. Rocketman doesn’t shy away from the grit underneath the glamor, the weight of John’s addictions and his lack of support from his family and business associates, save for the lone angel, Bernie Taupin. Long winter sequences require bigger stakes, more growth, and more patience from the audience. If your audience is willing to wait it out with you, the film’s unwillingness to tint rosy can be rewarding. Though Wife said she could do without John hugging himself at the end and leaving it to us to understand the interchange without training wheels. I wasn’t really expecting the young actor to play so much of a role in the film, but he has quite a few songs, not all of which are terrible.

At the same time, Big Brother says in so many words that he had “big problems” with the storytelling of this film, which, without following up with him yet, I take to mean that he finds the retelling of Elton John’s life story from the awkward confines of an AA meeting enervating. It does make for an inconvenient set to return to whenever the story calls for a break or jump in time. But maybe he and his wife are more unnerved by the way in which the action is sometimes swept up in musical numbers from John’s own catalogue? It seems like this is a bit of novel way to weave his music into the story, but at times it does feel a little opaque, like we’re looking at a mask of emotion rather than being let in to how John or others really feel. There are a few numbers where John shares his lines with others that I find really fun and disorienting. My two favorite numbers are probably Egerton’s duets with Madden and Bell (who plays Bernie). To some extent, it feels like the songs’ payoff is great the more of a fan of John’s music you are, and damn it must have been hard to write a script around these musical numbers while having some storyline cohesion. Whether it’s the stale trope of the AA meeting speeches or the musical numbers that communicate nothing personal or specific while also trying hard to communicate a lot about internality, I think I get the general sense of the film’s clunkiness.

The producers did a canny job of protecting this film from criticism about straight actors playing gay roles by having John greenlight the depiction by Egerton. It’s too bad that subjects of biopics don’t get asked for their opinion on who should portray them more often, but John’s involvement in the production kept a lot of knots from tangling on something simple like that. From what it sounds like, the bromance between Egerton and John is as adorable as it sounds. The depiction of John’s parents is excellent. Their affection and goodwill is evident, if not consistent, and the misplacement of their love, not its absence altogether, is its most lethal quality.

Take this recommendation from a person who never bothered to see the assumed trainwreck that was Bryan Singer’s Bohemian Rhapsody with a grain of salt, but Rocketman is a thoughtful portrayal of a work in progress that leans on some tropes and would not have been so warmly received had it not been given Glinda’s mark by the man it seeks to explain.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

6

THCJan 26, 2020

Rocketman tells us the story of British Music Composer Elton John and his rough family relationship. Although a great film, there are still many flaws in Rocketman concerning events that didn't actually happen. In a sense, the film wasRocketman tells us the story of British Music Composer Elton John and his rough family relationship. Although a great film, there are still many flaws in Rocketman concerning events that didn't actually happen. In a sense, the film was inspired mainly by Bohemian Rhapsody, which was released in 2018, a year earlier. Overall, Rocketman is a film that requires improvement.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews