Rocketman - Review

Rocketman

“ROCKETMAN” is part Broadway epic, part lavish musical choreographed production, part fantasy and part personal drama about the incredible human story of rock singer Elton John's breakthrough years. The film follows mostly the transformative early journey of then Reginald Dwight into his eventual twenty something days as the international superstar we all know as Elton John. Less a hard critical examination and more of an inspirational and nostalgic story all set to the incredible library of music created by Elton John and his collaborative lifelong writer lyricist partner Bernie Taupin. Running just slight over 2 hours the film is a wonderful reminder of the most beloved John’s songs.

REVIEW: “Rocketman” in the first 60 seconds we see Elton checking himself into rehab in full over the top costume in bright orange adorned with peacock flowery plumage. You realize then that this film may not tell everything in dark dramatic terms about the singer’s past it definitely was not going to wiz by glossing over the basic facts that he was both a great performer to fans on the surface and also had a dark addiction to multiple chemical drugs and on and off sexual excesses that together almost nearly killed him. And while the film overall feels overly safe with its light whimsical tone (apparently not wanting to really to offend anyone), it still managed to entertain being rooted in that old relatable small-town boy becoming an iconic music legion formula. It also is the classic and perpetually self-destructive rock star story of a man who had the world at his fingertips, never wanting for anything, adored around the world and yet was obviously shaped early by having a very lonely child hood from his parent’s lack of parental attention. A burden all through his early adulthood seemingly to have left him emotionally broken and terminally feeling being always alone in the world.

Directed by Dexter Fletcher who last year took over at the last minute to finished underwhelming Best Picture Winner “Bohemian Rhapsody”, this time out we see Fletcher manages to put some real substance into the full breath of this effort. This musical outing is filled with far more creativity, more authentic energy and more human value .And while the story moves along briskly it feels a bit too rushed moving for example past Elton’s suicide attempt as no really big deal. Maybe so, after all we know he is still alive today.

But the real standout to this film is the phenomenal work by actor Taron Egerton as Elton. Singing every song with his own voice, we believe its Elton for every wonderful song. For every painfully moment as the shy prodigy Reginald Dwight. For every young teen to adult moment desperately insecure; longing for his parent’s approval. As the clearly musical savant genius who would casually sit at a piano to then spiritually and instantly begin to feel the music come into him making the perfect notes that would breathe lasting life into unforgettable melodies from Bernie Taupin’s brilliant words. As the superb commanding master showman on the global stage. Yes, actor Edgeton pulls this all off without a single missed note and while the film falls a tad short of Oscar perfection Edgerton’s inhabiting of Elton John in body, soul and music deserves him some serious Oscar Nomination consideration.

On a side note some special praise go to the films editor and makeup costume specialist  as there were several scenes that were so vivid of previous Elton John’s past performances I could not tell for several seconds whether it was it old film footage or a screen reenactment (which is was the later).

The film is enjoyable to watch with tons of great songs to reminisce for………………as “it’s a little bit funny”, a bit campy, a bit heartwarming, at times silly and sometimes soaring……………..In the end it’s all about “Sir Elton John”…………..a genius singer and performer……………who after all he went through can say ‘He’s still standing and “How wonderful our life is with him in the world”.

3.75 Stars