"Rocketman" Review - These Films Say So Much

When one steps into a theater, whether it be for a musical or a movie, my hope is you are taken to a magical place. That can be hard though if it’s a biopic or if it’s on a darker subject matter. “Rocketman” hits every one of these words; dark, musical, cinematic, and magical. And yet, there is something else this movie has that makes it shine more than its predecessors. That factor is risk. Director Dexter Fletcher took on a wild man’s life and turned it into more than just a tale of a rising star. That right there is the reason why Rocketman is one of the best biopics I’ve seen in years. It’s such a triumph and has many shades of colors to showcase, and not just in the ridiculously creative costumes that would make Eva Peron say, “slow down buster".

First, Taron Edgerton is a star full stop. We always knew he had a perfect voice after “Sing”, but this film showcases all he has to show for. Not only is his acting raw, funny, dark, and many times so good as if it's ripped out of an autobiography, but his singing and ability to have so much energy non stop is such an important aspect of Elton John that he nailed flawlessly. He can’t replicate Elton’s iconic sound, but all of that is forgotten when he starts dancing and rocking out on a piano in the most flamboyant ways possible.

As I said, what seals the deal with this Elton John biopic is its risk. With Bohemian Rhapsody, Dexter was dropped into a film already in production, so I can understand why he couldn’t do as much with it as he wanted to. But Rocketman was always his baby. You can tell through the cinematography, the writing, the well paced editing and overall groove of the movie. What this cinematic story does is unique in the craziest way. It uses Elton’s music as a plot device, a biopic device, and best of all, a musical device. There are choreographed sequences that made my jaw drop to the floor, and dream like scenes that simply mesmerize you. But there are also beautifully poignant scenes that use songs to show the success of a musician’s life as well as the heartbreak that came with it. You may watch it and think some moments are very campy and Strawberry Fields-sesque. But that’s just it. THAT’S ELTON JOHN. Rocketman could’ve easily been directed by the man himself and I wouldn’t have even noticed. The whole film is told through both his imaginative lens and his musical lens. Historical accuracy and goofy director decisions suddenly don’t exist; you are just having fun in one man’s musical fantasy. I haven’t had so much fun in the theatre since maybe La La Land. There was never a dull moment, and everything felt as it was meant to me.

I will end my review on this note. I’m still amazed at how critics threw their Oscar Gold to Bohemian Rhapsody. I am also amazed at how The Greatest Showman for how okay of an overall movie it is, still manages to top the iTunes Charts after a year and a half. We are also coming off a big box office success for a remake of Aladdin that I still refuse to see because there’s so much that annoys me out of it. My point? If those three movies can garner so much success with everything that’s faulty about them, then Rocketman better take home every single Oscar next year. And audiences better throw their hard earned dollars at it. If not, them movie audiences are doomed.

Two Nebs Up!