Competent filmmaking. Nothing new.

Rating: 7/10 (29 November 2019)

It filled a market after Bohemian Rhapsody. Essentially was a showcase for the music mixed in with some elements of his story LOOSELY interpreted. But that's the nature of these "Based on a True Story" things. Sure, the changes serve the story in a demanding medium, but they are still false stories.
Egerton was energetic and enthusiastic but was not really given much to work with. The rest of the cast were likely very good actors but were not able to fire up the screen. Madden was effective as the bad guy, though. And Bryce Dallas Howard is a good lookin' woman even when they put some pounds on her.
The direction was by-the-numbers with the big venues falling flat from unimpressive CG. It seem to take a lighthearted tone, although lighthearted is not what you'd call substance abuse. Apparently Elton John didn't want it to be PG-13, but I felt like it was in that ballpark.
The father elements were very ham-fisted and kind of melodramatic.
If you miss it, you're not missing much.