Rocketman (2019)

I had never heard of the song ‘Rocketman’ outside of a brief one liner in ‘The Rock’. I didn’t care for Elton John’s music. I wasn’t excited for Rocketman. I didn’t flock to the theatre to see it. I’ve never been a huge fan of biopics; for me they’re quite bland and usually hit the same beats over and over. Unless there’s a historical figure who I’m interested in, I don’t favour them. When Rocketman came out seemingly off the back of Bohemian Rhapsody’s success, which for me was a somewhat disappointment being a tremendous Queen fan, Rocketman seemed to be a mere cash grab. This is how you make a biopic - you take the defining trait of its subject in make the whole film pirouette around that. Dexter Fletcher, an unknown director, has probably my favourite film this year. This film is simply wonderful, putting you in Reginald Dwight’s life from boy to man to a world star. What Rocketman does so well it know it’s priorities. Above all else it had to portray Elton John’s theatrical presence and essence of his music to make it stand out. It makes a careful music video out of his life pumping Elton’s emotion into the aesthetic of the film. Notably, the ‘Crocodile Rock’ scene and the ending that’s complimented by ‘I’m Still Standing’ give you this phenomenal boost of what it’s like in that moment. Vivid explosive colours and bright creative cinematography paint the screen up as an acid trip - a dream in which every inch of shot is saying something. These segments of unreal surrealism are so well implemented and merged into the moment that you except it for what it is. You never think to yourself that this is the next musical number; you except it as part of the reality. Never once does it seem unnecessary, contrived or comedic. Every song hits the mark just perfectly which is an overlooked challenge for a musical, emphasised by almost every other musical nowadays. Not to forget the songs have been beautifully rescored to a grandiose orchestral remix with Taron Egerton’s awesome singing voice at the helm. I pray this film isn’t forgotten at the Oscars. When things are going down hill we can drop to a truthful note of realism. Aside from the musical numbers which are ‘gold’ the drama between these bursts of brilliance isn’t forgotten about. Some brilliant performances from Bryce Dallas Howard, Jamie Bell and even Kit Connor in his debut role. Despite, knowing nothing previously about Elton John, Taron Egerton delivers a performance that made feel like I had always known him. This film has the sign of a true masterpiece. It’s become my favourite against Bohemian Rhapsody which had the advantage of having me hooked with its music alone. Rocketman has to earn my attention with myself having no previous interest. I know that this is also the case for three of my other friend who also hadn’t heard Elton John before. I think the editing could be tidied up a little, but really this is a minor complaint - afterall its my job to nit pick. This is a must watch: Rocketman is one of the best musicals and biopics of the decade. A piece beyond worthy of its master. To finish on a heart warming fact for a heart warming film; David Furnish, Elton John’s husband, was a producer on this film and you can tell. This is a peep straight into the soul of his music. What else could make this film any more feel-good?