Rocketman (Blu-ray)

I went to see this film at the cinema last night and was totally wowed! Talented Taron Edgerton didn’t just play the part of Elton – he literally morphed into him – both in appearance/mannerisms and fine singing voice!Big, bold and brash are the words I’d use for the portrayal of this superstar’s life. It’s done, not surprisingly and probably rather sensibly, as a musical; totally given the razzle-dazzle treatment and glossy sheen from director Dexter Fletcher but in keeping with what you would expect to find in the story of such a flamboyant, at times seemingly outrageous, and well-known star. The film comes across as telling it like it was (though many reports have said it’s only semi-biographical, with very much more being complete fabrication.) I beg to differ from that latter thought – I’d actually go so far as to say, on the contrary, I think this was ‘Elton’, aka Reginald Dwight, he of the humble Pinner-born roots, as best as can be shown. Yes, without doubt an exaggerated and flashy version but almost definitely not a total fantasy. After all, In his heyday, Elton John had very little hidden from the public eye - so it's all out there!No doubt much was glossed over (it was a film of over 2 hours duration as it was) but you get the impression that the great man himself was very much using Fletcher’s powers to ‘exorcise many ghosts’ and put a few records straight … It felt, in many ways, a very honest account, especially the drinking drug-taking binges (albeit shown as slick musical numbers) of someone who spiralled out of control for a number of very understandable reasons. Not least of these was his relationship with manager John Reid (his lover for many years) – scathingly depicted by Richard Madden as a nasty piece of work. I’m not sure to what extent those traits really went because I guess that Reid basically brought the millionaire status to the talented performer who he saw in front of him. Never-the-less, showing exploitation if ever you saw it in doing so (if indeed all is to be believed.) In many ways, Elton was naïve and perhaps almost allowed himself to be manipulated – and it was probably more of a two-way thing with he and Reid – but, all the time he had his past and childhood memories hanging over him, like a foreboding cloud, it was perhaps excusable. Rejection and the feeling of being unloved were the central causes of Elton’s inner demons I believe, again if what we see is based on fact. And the straight-jacket of conformity – coming from the home of such an uptight, undemonstrative and cold father, and the era in which he was born – meant he did indeed have to “kill the person he was born to be in order to become the person he wanted to be” (a quote from a fellow-performer in a night club in the film’s dialogue.)Elton’s song-writing partnership/friendship with Bernie Taupin (a superbly under-stated performance from ex-Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell) was of course the greatest thing, and yet the one-sided unrequited love he had for this quiet, sweet man could also be argued as being his greatest stumbling block and hang-up. Their relationship was never what Elton wanted and yet, in my humble opinion, needed to be the platonic brotherly one that it was in order to obtain that fantastic writing-music combination. (Surely a match that must have been made in heaven anyway?!)In conclusion, I feel this was an extremely clever – and perhaps subtly-disguised basic truth – warts and all take on the life of this popular British icon, arguably one of our greatest and most successful performers. Making use of the famous all-to-familiar songs (God, I’d forgotten how good some of them are) to musically illustrate the points/stages along the way – and frequently sung by other cast members – was inspiration at its best. And the incredible attention to detail, perhaps surprising for a film of this genre, is always right at the fore, complete with the complexity and accuracy of Elton’s over-the-top costumes! It’s an adaptation of a shy-at-heart showman; A colourful, sexy and slick musical feast – decidedly likeable whether you’re a dedicated Elton John fan or not.In my opinion, it was nothing short of genius to have Elton (from the beginning scene) attending a counselling session/AA meeting whilst dressed as a larger-than-life devil in red skin-tight costume, complete with horns and huge feathery wings that gradually get stripped-back to a dressing gown as more of his vices and story are exposed. This is the film’s constant ‘return-to-scene’ – and consequently its heart – in order to back-track and rationalize all that happened to him.The underlying message of this film is clearly about redemption and being honest and I’m delighted to see it used as a tool to expose both mental health taboos and prejudice issues. And that’s something that I know for a fact was Elton John’s intention.Perhaps my only gripe might be that, in my opinion, there was a little too much bad language (surely less-is-more guys - to illustrate certain dramatic moments - rather than so frequent as to become ‘mundane’?) But that is just a minor thing – and possibly something purely highlighting my age and lack of ‘rock-and-roll’ lifestyle!I can definitely say that this rocket man and his lively portrayal – as far as I’m concerned – have made it to the stars … !

One of my favourite films.Anyone hoping for a biopic will be sorely disappointed as this isn't a biopic, it's a musical. It uses the songs of Elton and Bernie to advance the story so they aren't necessarily in the correct order of when they were written or performed. This means that instead of having a copycat cover of songs you get a beautiful performance by characters, mainly Taron Egerton. 'Don't let the sun go down on me' is particularly note worthy, it is sung with such sorrow and pain that it made me listen to the original in a different light.Equally 'Goodbye yellow brick road' as an opening sequence gives me goosebumps every time (and yes, I have watched it many, many times). I think Taron Egertons performance is fantastic, while not copying in the same way he did in Eddie the Eagle he has certainly captured the essence of Elton which is what makes the film more appealing.If you want all the facts of Eltons life in chronological order this film will not be for you as it does not do that, it uses moments in Eltons life to forward the film but is more focused on portraying how Elton felt than what he was actually doing on a particular date. The film ends after rehab which any Elton fan would know is very much not the end of his story, which is again chronologically incorrect, but I think the whole works so beautifully well that it shouldn't be changed to shoe horn in the facts.Watch this in the right frame of mind and enjoy it, again and again.

If you enjoyed Bohemian Rhapsody and were hoping for more of the same, forget it, Elton has an amazing voice but all his songs throughout are sung by children, random actors and do not give you the feel or the power of his lyrics. Also way to artsy musical for us, not really a life story or biopic like Freddies at all. So overall disappointing, never really felt invested in the story and its felt way too bitty, no real insight into his life other than parents were not very nice people to put it mildly. One to miss.

The most over rated film in years, waste of time and money.

Rocketman is a very bland biopic. I don't mean to sound heartless but: parents didn't love me, check! Drink and drugs, check! Lots of sex, check! Recovery, check! I expected it to be fun and joyous, instead it was miserable and tedious. Edited music, strange fantasy scenes and edited triumphs (no mention of The Lion King soundtrack, Candle in The Wind etc...) It is a snapshot of his life and it's all rather mediocre. Bohemian Rhapsody was better and even that wasn't very good. Surely he had great moments in his career and happy times, like his marriage. Was Elton's life this depressing?