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Fan of Eltons music but not sure about the film - Rocketman review by TH

If you like the music of Elton John then it's likely you will enjoy this film like I did. However as a biopic I would say full marks for doing something a bit different but I'm not sure it's a film I would watch again. More likely it will just make you want to listen to the soundtrack instead.

Brilliant! - Rocketman review by cr

I love this film! I approached it with low expectations as i am not a big fan of Elton or taron Edgerton as i didn't like him in the kingsman films (taron not Elton). However i was pleasantly surprised. I think its brilliantly acted by taron and he deserves the Oscar. He did all his own vocals to which was impressive. Even if your not a fan of Elton you will know most of the songs. I sympathized with Elton with his tough upbringing but he showed them all. Great film recommended.

An Enjoyable Bio Pic - Rocketman review by CP Customer

I enjoyed this film about the early career of Elton John, which was enhanced by two stand out performances from Taron Egerton, as Elton and Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin who wrote so many lyrics for Elton to compose the music to them, which he did famously.  

A stunning Taron Edgerton powers this electrifying biopic of one of our greatest musicians - Rocketman review by TB

Elton John is a legend in every sense of the word: musician, campaigner, style icon, creative. His influence over the past 50 years cannot in any way be understated. And after the limp and (aside from the incredible lead performance by Rami Malek,) relatively poor Bohemian Rhapsody, we now have a modern day musician biopic that in every sense of the word is no-holds barred.

As much as it is a given that these two films will be compared, there is good reason behind it. Both are about stratospherically talented men, gay, extravagant, eccentric but also with extremely difficult personal lives. The difference, which is admirably put front and center of this film, is that this is in no way a vehicle to simply show the good/commercially/PR friendly side of John. There are times where he is actually extremely unlikeable and his behaviour and well-known tantrums are there for all to see, although it is also shown his extreme addictions to drink and drugs. The main theme that runs through this film more than anything is honesty, as much as there has been extreme pushback from members of John's extended family about the portrayal of particularly his father.

John was born into a working class family and at a young age, shows his incredible flair for and talent with music, especially his ability to be able to listen to a piece of music and then play it back on the piano. He then progresses up to playing as backup in various bands, before being introduced to Bernie Taupin and starting one of the most impactful & successful musical collaborations in music history.

There are many great parts to this film, but the performances are in a league of their own. Taron Edgerton has slowly but surely been building up his résumé, playing everything from a secret agent to an animated gorilla. But crucially he can also sing extremely well. Whilst there were many actors linked with the role of John before he was cast, none of them were able to both act & sing. Edgerton is great in both senses, able to not only show the enormous contrasting parts of John's personality, but also show the pain through song that Elton battled with. There is also no holding back on the sexual side of John's life, unlike in Bohemian Rhapsody, where Freddie's preferences were barely hinted at.

But it isn't only Edgerton who shines. For me, another outstanding performance was Jamie Bell as Taupin. He really embodies the role and shows again why he is such a fine actor. Richard Madden is also good as John Reid, who managed John and was also his lover.

The music and fantasy scenes are, as you'd expect, masterful. Great use of colour and light really combine for a visual treat for the eyes. The back catalogue is utilised to great effect, especially Don't let the Sun go down on me, detailing his short-lived and doomed marriage to Renate Blauel.

This is a great film, with many memorable performances and also is at times extremely sad. John is someone so talented, but it took many years and huge amounts of pain before he was able to be himself and find the peace with his husband David and children.

Great use of the EJ canon - Rocketman review by SE

Like most biopics, this one follows a chronological order in terms of story line. But the music doesn't. This might bother those who grew up with the music but it has been done to suit the song to the life stage and probably does help illuminate it.

Taron Egerton is a very good singer. In fact, whisper it, he may be a better singer than Elton, whilst nevertheless sounding a lot like him. He actually looks more like the young Bernie Taupin.

If it weren't for the use of the music, this would be a very ho-hum film, not really delving that deep into motivations or influences. You sense that the relationship between EJ and Taupin has hidden depths completely unexplored here, perhaps in deference to both men. And maybe that is fine whilst both are alive.

In short, if you like Elton's music, you will probably like the film, but if you don't...

Pleasantly surprised - Rocketman review by CP Customer

Really didn't like Bohemian Rhapsody and I was ready to hate yet another rock star bio pic to which the subject in question is a little too close — yeah, Freddie Mercury is dead, but the remaining Queen members were heavily involved. However, I was very pleasantly surprised thanks to the clever handling of the subject by writer Lee Hall and director Dexter Fletcher, and an excellent central performance by Taron Egerton.

Rather than a linear telling of John's story, Fletcher and Hall introduce a number of what can be called fantasy sequences that give the film extra interest, while musical numbers are not just concert performances but shared among several members of the cast in these fantasy sequences.

Yes, many of the songs are out of chronological order, but this only adds to the appeal of the quirky and slightly unreal story structure. That said, I thought it was well documented that Elton John took his surname from Long John Baldry rather than the way that is depicted in the film.

Even though the film doesn't flinch from detailing the low points of EJ's life, one still ends up liking the bloke, thanks to Egerton's fantastic performance.

Dragged - felt like 4 hour film - Rocketman review by DH

Ok, I'm not a fan of Elton John, this certainly did not change that. If someone had made this movie about him he'd have gone mad and sued them for every penny but as he is the exec producer of Rocketman he is clearly happy with this version! Can't think why? If I'd been the emotional wreck as he seems to have been then I'd have not wanted to expose it to one and all but clearly he thinks differently. He has turned his life around now, all credit to him but his early days are quite pitiful. I wanted to like him and feel sorry for him, but I just didn't. I loved the Queen biopic, but this just feels like jumping on the band wagon with less success. Perhaps you need to be a mega fan of Elton John to enjoy this!