Rocketman Review

A soaring triumph.

2018 seen the release of 2 movies that I had bad relationships with. Bohemian Rhapsody and Robin Hood. Bohemian Rhapsody was the winner of 4 Oscars at this year’s ceremony. Fans adored it. Many people have told me it’s their favourite film of the last few years. I don’t get it. While granted Rami Malek delivers a showstopping performance. The film was a watered-down retelling of Freddy Mercury’s turbulent life. A film that was more concerned with playing it safe than telling Mercury’s riveting story. Director Dexter Fletcher is who most people assume was the director of Bohemian Rhapsody. However, Fletcher only worked on the film for the final few weeks of production after Bryan Singer was fired. Fletcher was the man being thanked in the award speeches despite it not really being his film. Fletcher needed to make his next film his own. Robin Hood was my lowest rated film of last year. To find out why just watch the opening 10 minutes. It’s a disaster. Taron Egerton, the lead of Robin Hood, was beginning to have a couple of duds on his plate. Egerton needed his next film to remind the world of how talented he is. Where does Rocketman tie into all of this? Rocketman is the film that tells the world that Dexter Fletcher is a director to be awed and that Taron Egerton is on his way to on an Oscar.

Rocketman tells the story of Elton John’s (Taron Egerton) rise to superstardom and the fall that comes with it. The film is cleverly told through flashbacks as Elton tells his story at an AA meeting. Having an unreliable narrator in Elton telling the story allows the film to move away from the traditional biopic structure. Instead of being a straight retelling of Elton’s life. Rocketman transforms into a musical fantasy. Periods of his life are told through song. “The Bitch is Back” and “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” are grand musical numbers. Filled with dozens of extras and a flurry of activity on the background. Each song in the film is used to tell a story about John. It may sound like a family film. However, Rocketman is not a film to watch with your grandparents. Elton is an addict who uses drugs and sex to fill the void in his life. Unlike Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman does not stray away from the topics mainstream movies often neglects. Elton’s drug abuse is shown is a way which never hides or glorifies his addiction. His sexuality is not hidden in the background either. Even though the press was not aware of his homosexuality. The audience gets to witness of a man trying to embrace his sexuality in a world that will not accept it. Rocketman takes risks when judging by the last year it could have easily gotten away with being generic. Like Elton, Rocketman is not interested in being normal.  Musical fantasy is a genre which I didn’t even know existed before this film. From start to finish the film is magical, heart-breaking, intense and joyous.

Elton John has both literal and metaphorical big boots to fill. John is one of the few stars today who can be considered an outright superstar. Taron Egerton not only does justice to the music icon, but he delivers a career defining performance. Not once do you feel like you’re watching Egerton merely impersonating John. This is the performance of a young man showing the world that he should never have been written off. From the plucky early years to the meltdowns of a man who is directionless. Egerton captures each aspect of John’s career wonderfully. It’s worth noting that Egerton does all the singing in the film. There is no miming. Egerton covers songs that many singers would shiver at the thought of.  Egerton’s dramatic chops are what really make the film. The final act of the movie that focuses on John’s downfall is tough to watch. Egerton expresses the anxiety and heartbreak of a man who no one cares about personally. If he puts on a smile and carries on with the show everyone is happy. One scene involving Egerton staring at a mirror will leave you with Goosebumps. It can’t be understated how good Egerton is here. It’s the performance of the year from a young actor who was going through a career slump.  By taking and nailing this impossible role. Egerton has secured himself an Oscar nomination (at the very least) and a career which will never have him in another film like Robin Hood ever again.

The supporting cast of Rocketman all contribute to the film magnificently. One of the films central themes is bad relationships. The lack of love of in Elton’s life resulted in him going off the rails. Every supporting actor adds flair to the film. Bryce Dallas Howard and Steven Mackintosh are Elton’s distant parents. Howard is unrecognisable as the overbearing mother who has no real interest in her son’s ventures. I spent the whole film trying to figure out which English actress she was. I choked on my popcorn when I seen her name during the credits. Mackintosh is superb as the father who won’t hug his child. Seeing how Elton’s parents treated him is devastating. The only love in his home came from his grandmother, played elegantly by Gemma Jones. The real stand out of the supporting cast is Richard Madden as Elton’s manager and former lover John Reid. Madden is charismatic, intimidating and detestable. Madden normally plays the good guy. To see him landing low blows in verbal spars with Egerton is a great change for the actor. Madden seems to be the Game of Thrones star who is destined to be a household name. Jamie Bell is no stranger to musicals.  In Rocketman Bell plays Elton’s only friend and songwriter Bernie Taupin. The Billy Elliot star is one of the few people in the film who’ll make you feel good about yourself. The sense shared between Bell and Egerton are delightful. The two actors do justice to the lifelong friends. Every single cast member is acting. There are no signs of impersonations to be found. Dexter Fletcher was here to make a movie not a tribute show.

Dexter Fletcher made all the right decisions when making Rocketman. The direction is flawless. Some of the musical numbers go to unimaginable places. The scene where “Rocketman” plays is mind boggling. Fletcher gives the film a similar feel to The Graduate, Chicago and Almost Famous rolled into one. It’s never exhausting. Fletcher knows when to slow things down before roaring into a song. Fletcher brings the best out of Egerton for the second time in his career. The two worked well together in the underseen Eddie The Eagle. Fletcher made a movie that up until recently would never see the light of day. The sensitive handling of the drugs and sexuality in Elton’s life makes sure that they are never played for shock value. Lee Hall’s cutthroat script leaves no prisoners. It is never made out the anyone is purely good. Every character has their flaws and demons, which lead to arguments that are as powerful as any fight scene. Cinematographer George Richmond installs vivid images that will stick with you long after the film. Dexter Fletcher has gone above and beyond to leave an impression on audiences. Whatever he goes on to make next will have eyes from all around the world watching.

Rocketman is a film which I had no expectations going into. I was expecting another film that would leave me angry like Bohemian Rhapsody. To say I was blown away would be an understatement. There are times you watch a film, and everything clicks into place. Rocketman’s pieces fit together perfectly. The music, direction, acting and heart of the film is all wonderful. If you are a fan of Elton John, you will be happy. If you are a fan of musicals, you will be happy. If you don’t normally like either of these things it doesn’t matter. Rocketman is the kind of film that doesn’t get made often these days. An experimental film which is a total success. If you are a fan of cinema, you will love Rocketman.

Liam’s Summary of Rocketman

Best Moment: The title track will hurt you emotionally.

Worst Moment: Movies need to stop with the writing at the end to tell us everyone is amazing. We just watched the movie.

Best Character: The Rocketman himself.

Worst Character: None to be found.

Watch This If You Liked

Kingsman: The Secret Service: Egerton’s arrival to the screen is still wonderful.

Whiplash: A music-based movie that will also hurt your feelings.

The Lion King: Another Elton filled music adventure.

Overall Rating: 5/5