A brash and exuberant musical; not unlike Elton himself, then! I enjoyed the film more than I expected - I'm more of an admirer of Elton's songs than the man himself - this is a well-made and creative piece that can be appreciated by fans and non-fans alike.
Vibrant and chaotic, a really great movie. Taron Egerton is a force of nature.
"Real love's hard to come by. So you find a way to cope without it."
Final review of 2019!
'Rocketman' is everything a musical biopic should be. Well, I wouldn’t really call it a biopic, as a musical told in a rated R fairy tale seems more appropriate. While occasionally falling into the “Walk The Line” of cliches, but never has a biopic be presented in such an extraordinary and yet sore fashion. Some things may be overly dramatized or just didn’t happen, but then again it is “based on a true fantasy”.
Taron Egerton as Elton John is perfect casting. I’m already aware that Egerton is a singer, and yet what surprised me the most was how much he sings just like Elton. No lip syncing or donkey teeth, just an honest portrayal of a national treasure. I hope Egerton gets some serious award consideration for this performance, because if anyone deserves some recognition for leading actor, it’s him. I no longer see him as Eggsy from Kingsman. He is Elton John.
Jamie Bell was excellent as Berine Taupin, Aka the sweetest eyes you will ever seen. The chemistry between Bell and Egerton was a match made in heaven just not the romantic kind.
Richard Madden was a brutal force as John Reed. A cold and controlling snake that sucks away any happiness in Elton’s life. Maddens vocals was pretty damn good, which I’m surprised people haven’t brought up yet.
I loved how the songs were integrated in the film. The fame and sparkly glitter can’t hide open wounds. There’s a scene that’s almost plucked straight out of Bob Fosse’s ‘All That Jazz’, where Elton is carried off in an ambulance after he attempts suicide, but thrown back into a stadium like a wild animal. I found it incredibly devastating how he pretends to be happy when performing on stage while being dead inside. I also noticed the lyrics had been changed to "I miss my LIFE" from "I miss my wife”. How one word can change the meaning and perspective of the song.
Perhaps my favorite scene in the whole movie is when Reggie sits at the piano and composes "Your Song" for the very first time. I thought the scene perfectly captures the overall feeling of the song. The overwhelming feeling of love and appreciation you have for a special person in your life. It gives you the impression that these people existed in real life and cared for each other. Men who are too afraid to open up their feelings and telling their friends how much they love them, while living in a world that’s so cynical and unkind. So yeah, I nearly teared up. Such a beautiful moment.
At his highs and lows, Elton has lived life like no other. “You will never be famous”, his father told him when he was a little boy. “You will never be loved”, his mother told him after he tells the truth about his sexuality. “I’ll still be collecting my twenty percent long after you've killed yourself”, his producer manage told him during his lowest.
Despite every obstacle Elton faced his life and how depressing the tone may be, but then again, you’re looking at a true survivor, because he’s still standing.
Overall rating: You can have that hug now, Elton
Happy new year everyone!
Wow this film was dark, I didn't know any of the backstory about Elton's life so it was eye opening. Very interesting in a very sad way.
The movie ends at the time I first heard of Elton John from MTV through that exact same video. I was never a fan in the true sense of the word but I like many of his songs and, similar to Bohemian Rhapsody, it was intersting to see where they'd came from. Althought there are similarities this is a different kind of movie. First, it is more along the lines of a musical. Not a bad thing, just saying. It hasn't had the emotional impact on me. Althought, that is probably due to the fact that Elton is, gladly, still alive. I think you know what I mean.
In any case this is, despite the seriousness of the story, an entertaining movie with lots of great music. I wish they had taken a little more time at certain points in his story. You pretty much fly through the movie. It's eerie how so many different musicans went through the same thing. Guess the worst thing is when you get a manager. The music industry is not a pretty thing.
It took a minute to get used to the way the store was being presented, but once it clicked, the whole movie was magic. The best way I can describe it is imagine someone taking your they the highlights of their life with all the music he's created. Just fantastic.
Saw it in theaters twice and cried both times. Did what Bohemian Rhapsody failed to do and got far less praise. The covers by Taron Egerton are simply amazing and it’s a truly human film. Elton John I have so much respect for you.
I went in expecting Bohemian Rhapsody, but the style is quite different - I wasn't aware that it would consist of full, musical pieces. Despite how quick the pacing of everything feels, you do get a sense that you've seen Elton's whole career unfold. It was great!
I have always enjoyed his music but haven't really appreciated the depth of his songs until I watched this movie. It made me understand him as a person and appreciate him as a musician. I loved it!
I came into this movie not being a fan of Hollywood movies and being somewhat skeptical about movies based on real-life events. I don't know how true this was to the actual events but I loved everything else about the film. The leads were excellent and the film had the feel of a musical without going to far IMHO. I really enjoyed it.
follow me at https://IHATEBadMovies.com or facecbook page IHateBadMovies
I fell asleep in two of the Harry Potter movies, those are the only 2 movies I fell asleep during until this movie came along....
Taron Egerton is fantastic and has a pretty good voice too. There are some great musical set pieces that are a joy to watch. Feels somewhat like a generic musical biopic but I did enjoy the few magical moments.
Rocketman has a lot of fun merging the musical parts with Elton’s story. But it felt emotionally cold and empty. Sorry seems to be the hardest word, and this film ought to be.
Really enjoyed this movie... the soundtrack was great courtesy of Taron.... He does a great job with the vocals and that’s what makes this movie magical. The story of Elton John surprised me in many instances... interesting for fans or not. His music is not hard on the ears and makes the movie even more enjoyable.... highly recommended.
I’m kinda baffled that the critical response to this has been so much better than Bohemian Rhapsody.
Yes, its presentation is more honest and creative than that film, which alone makes Rocketman better.
But other than that, it makes the exact same mistakes by being extremely cliched and having mostly uninteresting characters.
5.5/10
The casting for everyone except Elton himself is great. The scenes that weren't like gcse musical skits were quite decent, but even then, my reaction to a lot of what should have been big was small at best. The design seemed accurate, although the actors wearing it could look better. The cgi was terrible. The soundtrack was as expected. The story was very telling, but the time skips were seriously messy and jumpy. I'm sure Elton fans would love this, but as someone who isn't, this didn't do him any favours.
Mainly for fans of Elton, although on the plus side makeup and quite successful creations by Egerton (Elton) and Howard (mother).
At the beginning of his career, Elton John might have had everything - adulation, money, fame... but the one thing he really longs for: being loved which he's being cruelly denied. And so he attempts to drown out his pain until he hits rock bottom.
I enjoyed this quite much, of course the music, but also the relationship with Bernie - and Elton composing "Your Song" for Bernie was one of the highlights of this movie (especially considering that this is one of my all-time favourite Elton John songs). The coldness and cruelty of his parents felt jarring - adults who never wanted to have a child in the first place and took it out on him and who still take everything they can, feeling that they're owed for putting up with him, but who are incapable of accepting him for who he is. And then there's toxic John Reid whose greed and manipulation almost destroys Elton John.
Overall though, this movie remains rather generic. It's nothing I haven't seen before (and the similarities to "Bohemian Rhapsody", of a shy person being rejected, trying to be accepted, to drown in false fame and happiness... only to fall into drugs and alcohol and have to rethink his priorities, are striking).
Wonderful movie with every watch. The music is excellent (as expected), and the plot is engaging. Not to mention the cinematography and cuts / transitions between music and acting is seamless. Is it a perfect movie? Not at all. But it’s very enjoyable and I’ll happily watch this movie any time it comes on.
Rating: 4/5 - 8.5/10 - Would Recommend
What a fantastic flavorful movie about an iconic rock and roll musician. The movie had a very unique type of filming that made it perfect to fit who Elton John was. It presented flashbacks that tied to the current plot lines as well as making it a bit of a musical as it played Elton’s hits in the background during those flashback scenes. Although it could have focused more and gave more insight on how he got his first break through, the emphasis on the golden years of his career (also dealing with his sexuality) was brilliantly done. The actors were well rolled. Lastly, the storytelling to explain why and how he got cleaned up and sober was nicely done.
I did not expect to enjoy as much as I did! I didn't know anything about his tragic personal life, so I was caught off guard by the roller-coaster of emotions. And man I completely about all these Elton bangers!
Musical fantasy not only recounts Elton John's life but reminds you of all the great music he produced over the years!
Ofcourse, its the generic music biopic. It’s nice, don’t get me wrong and it’s definitely gotten me into Elton John but Bohemian Rhapsody was better.
Only made it a 1/2 hour in. Could not get past having to have to turn down the volume when the music was on & crank it way up to hear the whisper acting.
'You have to kill the person you were born to be in order to become the person you want to be.'
Honestly this biopic was amazing. The only thing that was a bit of a let down is I felt that it over dramatised some scenes but apart from that this was a really good watch.
I wanted to love this movie, but I didn't. So many times it was good enough to give it a 10/10 and then it just went poof 5/10. The music was never in sync with the timeline, so that kinda threw everything off. If I never saw this movie I wouldn't have missed anything. Can't give it more than a 6/10 and that's stretching it.
im not a fan of EJ, heck i dont listen EJ's music. Yet.
but i liked the movie, watched it only because i wanted to know whats behind "Rocket Man" song and im pleasantly suprised.
Acting is good and story is okay.
8/10
Decent with a very good central performance by Taron Egerton.
Othet than that, it's fairly standard biopic/musical fare. It looks like it was originally scripted for the stage and has that feel throughout.
As someone around 40, Elton John's life story is familiar to me. There's nothing revealed in here that shocked me - though to see his horrible mother depicted speaks to his searing honesty these days.
I'm not a fan of dialogue serving to just set up the next song and this does that tired old trope for the first half. The second half is slower but perhaps better for having more emotion.
It nevers reaches the highs or plumbs the depths of his life, for me at least. A little too paint-by-numbers to be considered excellent.
Coming so close after Bohemian Rhapsody (and sharing a director!), this is the lesser of the two.
6.5/10
I could talk about how Taron Egerton deserved more recognition for HOURS. Amazing movie.
One of my favorite movie
Yet another movie of a musician who has had a less than optimal life. Is creative genius only born out of misery? The format of the movie, the musical style, is off-putting. It made light of scenes that instead just became awkward, almost like Elton John, the film maker, wasn’t able to cope with the topics of his life. He needed to relinquish creative control and let the writer, director have the control. It was good. Not as good as Bohemian Rhapsody though.
Musicals aren't usually my thing but I decided to give this a chance and ended up really loving it. Don't have any complaints.
Quite a good movie, but not as powerful or emotional as I had hoped. Showcased his music quite well. But overall I was left a little disappointed.
Bravo for the great singing and acting from Taron Egerton. He was AMAZING in the spirit of an fabulous Elton John biopic musical....
It is unavoidable to compare this with "Bohemian Rhapsody". However, I'm not sure about the story. It is not as engaging as I would like. It doesn't draw me in, and it lacks a poignant climax. Perhaps the ending is a bit too introspective to be entertaining.
Incorrect history, badly put together, scenes that don't add up. Egerton did a great job, but why is this thing up for Best Picture? Let alone, rated as high as it is? Sure this was fun to watch, but musical montages one after another don't make a movie, and worse off, a movie made for the masses with details that culminate to what, maybe 20% of actually occurring in his life?
It took a long time for me to click with the movie. Precisely until the "your song" bit. That scene was so lovely, it made me sit up and pay attention till the last minute. Taron was brilliant. Though I can't say I'm a fan of the singing by everyone else, it was so awkward and reminded me why I used to hate musicals. Could've done without it.
It was not a bad movie. But also not too good. Acting was very fine and the story interesting. Sometimes really hard to not see Elton in Taron. Still, the movie felt slightly too long.
First off, Taron Egerton did a fantastic job in playing Elton John. I thought he captured the essence of him quite well, and his singing was pretty good. As for the movie, I thought it was good, but not great. It might be an unpopular opinion, but I would've loved a more straight-forward biopic, but if someone is ever going to get a musical, it might as well be Elton John! As a fan of his music, the timeline of events and songs was confusing at times, because some songs didn't exist for another 10 years in some scenes, (Ex: "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues"). After the Richard Madden character was introduced, everything sort of felt rushed, especially the ending - so nothing noteworthy happened in the last 35+ years?? I wished the film was actually longer.
good performance by Taron.
but it could be a better movie
the story lacks and there are unnecessary nude scenes just advertising lgbt ... that ain't cool
First: Taron deserves an Oscar. Outstanding performance!
Elton John always has been some kind of a comic figure for me - like Homer Simpson - simply entertaining but not real.
I went into the movie to maybe find out who the person behind this figure is.
The shocking fact: there is no one behind it!
Just a tragic existence of an unloved boy like the are so many. There is no depth or deeper meaning behind this figure.
If the movie wanted to prove the absolute shallowness of a well known tragic figure, it did well. Yes, there are many reasons to feel sorry for him, but not because of his special story - maybe I felt sorry for the huge emptiness behind the comic figure Elton John.
In that regard I will always remember this movie. It's very well done though.
This is a really great movie.
i I do not like this movie
Pride Month 1 film a day challenge:
#11
Amazing performance by Taron, i’m so in love with him. It’s hard to not draw comparisons with Bohemian Rhapsody, which i also liked, but I’m happy to see that this film wasn’t as afraid to take risks as the former was. It showed the good and the ugly, and it didn’t shy away from more disturbing scenes, which i applaud. The musical format also fits perfectly. Loved it!
8/10
Rocketman is a greatest hits album featuring familiar standards like 'Father Issues', 'Loneliness', and 'Price of Success'. Fortunately, there are enough favourite tracks in it to make the film impossible not to like.
Allow me to preface my brief remarks by stating I'm not an unconditional fan of Elton John, despite my present and past proclivities. As a writer, I've always been more enamoured of lyricist Bernie Taupin, and was pleasantly surprised to see that much of the film was consecrated to his contributions.
Rocketman doesn't deserve to be compared to Bohemian Rhapsody as stylistically it's closer to the (superior) 2007 Beatles' musical Across the Universe. Though, if you insist on placing Rocketman beside Bohrap, this film has bigger hits, thanks in large part to Taron Egerton's portrayal of the flamboyant Elton John. Egerton out-sings, out-acts, and out-performs Rami Malek every dance step of the way, making Rhapsody an overlong warm-up act to the pleasant tribute concert that is Rocketman.
Just plain bad but I don't normally like musicals at all anyway. Every time a song broke out it felt like a moment out of a bad movie in which I'm not sure if I'm supposed to laugh at how bad this is or simply accept it. I settled somewhere in the middle.
The only scene that I believed was legitimately good was Elton's first performance in California. Every other scene was dreadful.
Shout by chloeBlockedParent2019-05-29T22:37:06Z
taron gives an amazing performance as elton! the film creatively merges the biopic with the musical in such a fun, refreshing, and visually pleasing way. i love the well-crafted blend of the reality of elton's life with the more magical and spectacular musical performances