Rocketman Soars

Rating: 10/10 (2 June 2019)

This moving, heartfelt film documenting the life of Elton John is magnificent. It spans the years from his boyhood growing up in Pinner, England yearning for love from his cold father, his partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin and his rise to super stardom.
This is a warts and all tale featuring both the success and drug-fueled sadness of a man searching for love in his Circle of Life story. If you are a fan of Elton John, this film captures all of the notes and the tales you've read about. Director Fletcher has created a spectacle perfectly suited for an entertainer who has thrived on lavish lifestyle, costumes and crowd-pleasing performances.
The songs chosen from the Elton/Taupin songbook perfectly mirror the particular scenes portrayed in the film, even if they don't match the specific era they were created in. This film is magical. A musical is the perfect fashion to present Elton John's life story, comprised of soulful solos to high-octane choreographed production numbers.
Elton John's lift-off performance at the famed Troubadour in Los Angeles was the gig that catapulted his career. It's only fitting that both Elton and his mesmerized audience levitate into space as the gifted piano man bangs out an uproarious rendition of Crocodile Rock.
Taron Egerton is a knockout and superb as Elton John, capturing all of the mannerisms, moves and speech patterns of this gifted, troubled musician. This is an Oscar-worthy performance that dances circles around Remy Malek. Egerton is a tour-de-force and triple threat as actor, singer and dancer. His vocal interpretations of John's music are rich and powerful. High praise too must be given to Jaime Bell for his poignant, touching portrayal of lyricist Bernie Taupin.
The film beautifully depicts the relationship of the two artists from young men to super stars, a brotherhood and a bond, it is a love story all its own. The attention to detail from John's outlandish costumes and changing looks through the decades is spot on, the resemblance of Egerton to Elton by virtue of talented hair and costume designers is miraculous.
This compelling, thoroughly enjoyable film will whisk you away and take you back to those golden days of youth and the Elton John songs you listened to growing up. Rocketman is one giant leap for biopic-kind. Bet it goes to Broadway where it will run a long, long time.