An epic musical fantasy about the uncensored human story of Sir Elton John’s breakthrough years.
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Cast: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard
Release Date:
Biography, Drama, Music
Rated R for language throughout, some drug use and sexual content
Runtime: 2 h 1 min
Review:
Rocketman is a thoroughly entertaining jukebox musical/biopic of Elton John. Director Dexter Fletcher style and structure give the film a pulsating energy from the get go. Fletcher’s direction gives the film a certain type of energy that differentiates from the more paint by the numbers feel of Bohemian Rhapsody. As such, it’s feels like a better made film from start to finish and it’s hard not to think about Julie Taymor’s underrated Across The Universe which had a similar feel. At the center of the entire thing is Taron Egerton who deserves all the accolades that are sure to come his way during award season. Egerton has long been doing impressive work across multiple films outside of The Kingsman series but here he just embodies Elton John. His performance and singing are just superb throughout the entire film. The supporting cast is just as strong even if some of the characters feel a bit more like types as opposed to fully formed characters. Richard Madden is impressively enigmatic as John’s first manager and lover while Jamie Bell performance is quieter and more subtle but just as effective. Ultimately, your enjoyment of the film will come down to your enjoyment of musicals and Elton John’s timeless music, outside of those caveats, Rocketman is sure to please.
A
