Rocketman

Rocketman doesn’t have much to say. That a sensitive artist becomes addicted to alcohol and drugs because of a difficult childhood without the love of his parents is a week premise, even if it’s about a real-life pop star. It’s a story that’s probably similar to every other like it. And since I don’t like any of Elton’s songs, which don’t stir any emotion in me, and I find his costumes to be overly pretentious and even self-parodying, I can only appreciate Rocketman’s great filmmaking style and hardworking actors. (06/08/2020)

Since the producer of this film is Elton John himself, we can assume that Rockeytman was made to his image. But the musical inserts just didn't feel right for me. I’d prefer for the film to be a more typical biopic with everything it entails. Plus the songs I knew where altering with some I wasn’t familiar with, which I admit is my personal problem. Had it not been for the music moments, which start right from the beginning, it would have been a model biopic. You won’t recognize Taron Eagerton; he simply became Elton. And what does his singing sound like? I couldn’t believe that he sang all the songs himself. For this reason alone, Rocketman deserves your attention, but if it didn‘t include the musical moments, it would have been better. (01/30/2020)

An incredibly smart and cleverly styled almost-musical that presents the extravagant figure of Elton John through his colourfulness and creative musical set-pieces. The retrospective narration from a rehab centre is not a very original frame, but everything is well held together and Elton’s increasingly open confession provides the viewer with a complex picture that is fully celebratory in the end, naturally, but one that is 100% believable, unlike Mercury’s portrait in Bohemian Rhapsody. Rocketman might not be exceptional craftsmanship, but it manages to sensitively and believably balance complex motifs like homosexuality, family mistrust and the hardships of stardom, without making the audience feel they’re being led by the nose. And it’s also distinctive filmmaking, which is good. And Egerton is really good. 80% (04/04/2020)

I wish Rocketman had been as well attended as Bohemian Rhapsody, because it's actually just as great – despite how different the two films are. However, I don't think Elton John has the same fan base here. But about the film – Elton is in rehab, addicted to just about everything he can be, and reminiscing. Or rather, "reminiscing". After all, his life is a string of amazing musical numbers. Colorful, exuberant, loud, but with plenty of room for silence, stuffiness, and gloom. And his hits have been given a new coat of paint in exactly that vein (for example, when Indian dancers appear in the scene with Saturday Night's Alright, Indian musical instruments are heard, and in other scenes the otherwise driving hits have become downright ballads thanks to the intimate delivery). It's all very imaginatively filmed – what the concert scenes and Live Aid finale are to Bohemian Rhapsody, the musical numbers are to Rocketman, but they're not just about entertainment, they're also about emotion, because... because the actors who do it all are perfect, and that finally brings me to Taron Egerton. If there's one thing I like more than last year's Bohemian Rhapsody, it's definitely his performance. The admirable transformation, the singing talent, the ability to smile and yet make it clear that he's not really into laughing at all. Hats off to him, it's great and completely unforgettable. (05/30/2019)

Last year we had a peek into the life of Freddie Mercury, and now we have a chance to visit the realm of Elton John. And what a colourful ride it was, full of catchy songs, drugs, alcohol, ups, downs and finding love for your fellow man and yourself. At times, Rocketman is more of a musical than a film about music – they did a great job of fitting Elton's songs into the flow of the story. I don't know how true to reality the events depicted are, but I was happy to be enlightened about Elton's life, which was not really easy - especially when it came to his relationship with his parents and the pervasive feeling of loneliness. The film does have a slower pace and you do have to get used to get used its concept, but then it all starts to pick up nicely and it only comes to a halt during the closing credits. (06/10/2019)