I loved it. However it felt like the story wasn't finished at the end. In all, a good entertaining movie with some heartfelt and heartbreaking moments about Elton.
Elton John is an unreliable narrator within the story (comically lying to his support group) but also, less forgivably, in the biographical story itself, with almost everyone in Mr. Hercules' life a little too blatantly contrived as loveless monsters. I'd hesitate saying this drama-queenin' feels stereotypically gay, but stereotypically gay is kind of Elton John's whole schtick. It's the narrative equivalent of "committing suicide" by overdosing on pills and jumping into the pool at a crowded party. Look at me! Feel sorry for me!!
I don't know if I should appreciate that on some meta level, but disingenuous art is also hard to like.
It may still fall in the same traps of most other music bio-pics but its stellar performances, stunning visuals, and inspiring directing more than make up for it. Plus a soundtrack of classic songs that feel elevated from their original form instead of simply relying on nostalgia to carry them. Effort was clearly put in to make the old story and old songs feel fresh again to surprising highs. Edgerton doesnt just impersonate Elton John, he plays a compelling and emotionally complicated character that is every bit worthy of the praise Edgerton receives.
Everybody's comparing Rocketman to Bohemian Rhapsody, and for good reason. On the surface of it, they tell the same story and are even visually similar. There are two big differences however. One is of course that Rocketman is a musical, which enlivens the predictable narrative with numbers that are more about feeling than fact, makes the music seem that much more personal, and excuses timeline distortions putting certain songs in the wrong eras, etc. The other big difference is in the point it makes about its lead. Rhapsody was about the remaking of one's identity and leaving it there, made the film more generic - from person to fiction, and in that fiction we lose something. Rocketman also deals with this, but focuses more on the why. Elton John was starved for love, and the theme runs through his life, the moments the film chooses to show, and the music. So in the end, it's just a richer and more entertaining picture, not simply saved by the music. And yes, Taron Egerton is a rock god. The only thing the movie is really missing is Egerton interacting with himself on the set of Kingsman 2.
Totally works for me, far better than Bohemian Rhapsody. Still suffers some story issues in the second and third act (HE'S ON DRUGS! HE'S PUSHING EVERYONE AWAY!) but it was still extremely entertaining.
The core story, while not new, and in fact quite cliché, works surprisingly well. There’s some lovely psychoanalytic moments, but only when there’s talking. The attempts and marrying the songs to meaningful analysis of events works only about 50% of the time. And the times that don’t work sometimes look like bad High School Musicals. Taron Eggerton is surprisingly excellent, as is Jamie Bell. Great performances.
Nonetheless, despite it working better without some of the songs ironically enough, it’s a fun ride and there is a freshness to the honest and open way they subject of homosexuality is treated. Recommended, but not ravingly good.
I didn't like the "musical" nature of the film. I'm not sure whether it served as a metaphor and tried to encapsulate how Elton was feeling during these pivotal moments of his life, but ultimately, it felt out of place and didn't belong in the film. More specifically, the over the top dancing segments really soured the experience for me. I would personally have preferred a more straightforward/gritty account of his life.
Regardless of stylistic preferences, Taron Egerton took the ball and ran with it and was great enough to keep me engaged!
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 11 of 11
danisanna
I loved it. However it felt like the story wasn't finished at the end. In all, a good entertaining movie with some heartfelt and heartbreaking moments about Elton.Earring72
Interesting story about Elton John. Musical format works, acting and music are outstanding. Didn't expect it too like it as much as I did. Very good!airi86ja
really sensitive and true,although didn't expect, but i was nicely surpised about this well-made film
Emiam
7+/10Really surprisingly good. Watch it! Very good music. Egerton surprises in the drama role!
greenhorg
Elton John is an unreliable narrator within the story (comically lying to his support group) but also, less forgivably, in the biographical story itself, with almost everyone in Mr. Hercules' life a little too blatantly contrived as loveless monsters. I'd hesitate saying this drama-queenin' feels stereotypically gay, but stereotypically gay is kind of Elton John's whole schtick. It's the narrative equivalent of "committing suicide" by overdosing on pills and jumping into the pool at a crowded party. Look at me! Feel sorry for me!!I don't know if I should appreciate that on some meta level, but disingenuous art is also hard to like.
nowhereman136
It may still fall in the same traps of most other music bio-pics but its stellar performances, stunning visuals, and inspiring directing more than make up for it. Plus a soundtrack of classic songs that feel elevated from their original form instead of simply relying on nostalgia to carry them. Effort was clearly put in to make the old story and old songs feel fresh again to surprising highs. Edgerton doesnt just impersonate Elton John, he plays a compelling and emotionally complicated character that is every bit worthy of the praise Edgerton receives.4.5/5
Forzelius
Makes one want to watch the Red Wedding againSiskoid
Everybody's comparing Rocketman to Bohemian Rhapsody, and for good reason. On the surface of it, they tell the same story and are even visually similar. There are two big differences however. One is of course that Rocketman is a musical, which enlivens the predictable narrative with numbers that are more about feeling than fact, makes the music seem that much more personal, and excuses timeline distortions putting certain songs in the wrong eras, etc. The other big difference is in the point it makes about its lead. Rhapsody was about the remaking of one's identity and leaving it there, made the film more generic - from person to fiction, and in that fiction we lose something. Rocketman also deals with this, but focuses more on the why. Elton John was starved for love, and the theme runs through his life, the moments the film chooses to show, and the music. So in the end, it's just a richer and more entertaining picture, not simply saved by the music. And yes, Taron Egerton is a rock god. The only thing the movie is really missing is Egerton interacting with himself on the set of Kingsman 2.Adrian B AWESOME
Totally works for me, far better than Bohemian Rhapsody. Still suffers some story issues in the second and third act (HE'S ON DRUGS! HE'S PUSHING EVERYONE AWAY!) but it was still extremely entertaining.frankqb
The core story, while not new, and in fact quite cliché, works surprisingly well. There’s some lovely psychoanalytic moments, but only when there’s talking. The attempts and marrying the songs to meaningful analysis of events works only about 50% of the time. And the times that don’t work sometimes look like bad High School Musicals. Taron Eggerton is surprisingly excellent, as is Jamie Bell. Great performances.Nonetheless, despite it working better without some of the songs ironically enough, it’s a fun ride and there is a freshness to the honest and open way they subject of homosexuality is treated. Recommended, but not ravingly good.
3.5 stars out of 5
Jace Lightner
I didn't like the "musical" nature of the film. I'm not sure whether it served as a metaphor and tried to encapsulate how Elton was feeling during these pivotal moments of his life, but ultimately, it felt out of place and didn't belong in the film. More specifically, the over the top dancing segments really soured the experience for me. I would personally have preferred a more straightforward/gritty account of his life.Regardless of stylistic preferences, Taron Egerton took the ball and ran with it and was great enough to keep me engaged!