Rocketman

Elton John’s life was filled with chaos, addiction, and heartbreak in his younger years. This movie is an excellent portrayal of the ups and downs, unfortunately, as successful as he was there were more downs than ups. We really enjoyed the movie, the ease and convenience of watching it at home. If you love rock and Elton, it’s a must see.

THE REVIEW:Little Reginald Dwight pressed a piano key down. Then another. And another.It wasn’t much. But it was enough. His mother and grandmother watched the boy play along with the radio—finger by finger, note by note. From ear. Without a lick of instruction.For one rare moment, Reg felt like he was heard. Seen. His Mom, Sheila, rarely tore her eyes away from her own mirror to look at him. His father, Stanley, was rarely home. And when he was, the cold, hard man took no interest in him at all.But Dad did love music. He had a room filled with jazz records—records Reg wasn’t allowed to touch. The boy was allowed to come in and listen sometimes if he was absolutely quiet. Maybe if he could play music, he’d find value in his father’s eyes.Maybe he’d find value in his own.In a few years, Reginald Dwight would change his name to Elton John. He’d team with lyricist Bernie Taupin and, together, they’d lay seige to the music world: 30 albums, more than 50 Top 10 hits, more than 300 million records sold. Acres of sequins. Vats of alcohol. Tables laden with cocaine. And the singer would, by his own admission, eventually have sex with nearly everything that moved. Marriage. Divorce. Sobriety. Knighthood.But once upon a time, he was just little Reg—a boy pressing notes on black-and-white keys. He’d taken his first step on his yellow brick road, and all the wonders and terrors of his own personal Oz awaited him.POSITIVE ELEMENTS:Rocketman chronicles the formative years, the greatest successes and the most colossal stumbles of Elton John, one of the world’s most famous, most talented and most successful musicians. But the movie also suggests that at his innermost core, Elton’s always been on the lookout for both love and meaning—often trying to find them in the very worst places.As Elton’s odyssey unspools, we can’t help but feel for the guy, especially as a young child when he’s desperately looking to his parents for love and approval. It reminds us that good parenting is critical to every child’s well-being. And when that’s missing, something else—something intrinsic to a child’s soul—goes missing, too. Only his grandmother shows the future Elton John unconditional love and support, and the movie suggests that she, not his mother, was the real rock in the family.Elton looks to fix that broken thing inside him in a bevy of terrible, self-destructive ways, as we’ll see. He has just one real anchor in his life: Bernie Taupin, his lyricist. They hit it off from the very beginning of their partnership (singing “Streets of Laredo” together at a café), forming a friendship so strong that Bernie calls Elton his “brother.” Though Bernie disappears from Elton’s life during some critical junctures, he always returns—supporting his friend during even Elton’s darkest days.And let’s also give Elton a round of applause, too, for getting help for his plethora of addictions and compulsions. It’s never easy for someone to admit weakness and seek help, especially when you’re someone as famous as Elton John.IN CONCLUSION:When we first see Elton John, it’s in a rehab treatment facility. “My name is Elton Hercules John,” he recites. “And I’m an alcoholic. And a cocaine addict. And a sex addict. And a bulimic. And …” The list goes on.So he was. So we see onscreen, often in lurid detail.Rocketman is many things: a celebration of Elton John’s incredible catalog of music, an examination of his success, a surreal festival of song and dance, a cautionary tale about excess.But its essence goes back to little Reginald Dwight sitting at the piano: How that little boy lost himself and, in so doing, lost his way. And how—at least on the movie’s terms—that little boy found himself again.Great Movie...

Wow! Truly AMAZING film, befitting of the one and only, Elton John. Taron Egerton’s performance was FANTASTIC - he was able to show not only the brilliance of the tremendously talented showman, but also the depth of his being, the nuances of his personality, the vast differences between the man on stage and the one at home (not that he had much time there). And, Egerton actually sang the catalog (can’t say that of Malik). This is a character film, an onion of many layers, just like Elton, himself.At no point should this biographical look be compared to Bohemian Rhapsody, anymore than you would compare a Queen concert to an Elton John concert. These are 2 very different artists, and as such, the 2 films reflect that. Just as you would expect, Rocketman has a lot more flash and pizzazz, and illustrates the fantastical nature of Elton John. Additionally, this film is told from Elton John’s POV, where Bohemian Rhapsody was told from the perspective of the band. Lastly, Rocketman does NOT put the music in order of release date, at times this may coincide with time of release, but rather uses the tracks that will best evoke the sentiment of each scene, deepening the feelings for the viewer.That said, if you have not watched the film yet, stop reading, go watch it, twice - first with the captions on (so you can sing along like karaoke), then off so you can digest the whole of its depth. Afterward, come back and read the remainder of this humble review with SPOILERS below.....Rocketman opens, with Elton John in full stage gear of the shiny red devil storming his way into rehab and stomping right on into his first group meeting, where he is asked about his childhood, and surreptitiously lies as anyone does the first time, but eludes to the reality - the condemnation from his father, the condescension of his mother, the lack of affection, and the only positive role model, his maternal grandmother.It isn’t long before you see how easily music becomes both his escape and his hope to build a loving relationship with his father, who abandons him, as well as how easily playing music comes to him. After seeing an advertisement in the newspaper, he goes to an interview at a producer’s office, who is intrigued by Elton, and introduces him to another hopeful who writes lyrics, Bernie Taupin. From there a fast friendship develops between the musician and lyricist. Let me just say, everyone deserves a friend like Bernie Taupin - someone who truly gets you and isn’t afraid to tell you about yourself.After being evicted from their apartment, when Elton, tells his girlfriend that he’s gay, they end up living with Elton’s mother, where over breakfast one morning, ‘Your Song’ is written (truth as stated by Bernie Taupin), and from there the fun never stops, beginning with the first live performance at the Troubadour to the moment he enters rehab (remember the songs only illustrate the feeling of the scenes).You see the shy, Elton John, become the performer, pushing himself outside of his comfort zone, in order to get in front of the audience night after night, while day after day a tape of condemnation and condescension plays over and over in his mind, feeding his insecurities. In order to keep going, he self soothes with shopping, weed, alcohol, cocaine, sex, pills, food, absolutely anything that will bring him comfort, as he feels starved of love/affection/self-worth. And, so you watch Elton John spiral, break down, get help, then rise again, like a Rocketman.Through every moment, the acting is superb, the musical arrangements poignant and befitting, the costumes resemblant of the originals. While keeping true to Elton John, it is NOT an exact duplication of his life, it is a truly amazing and fantastical adaptation, with a terrific cast. Each character well developed, and a stunning performance from Taron Egerton, the man can sing and does it well.Rocketman is an original, just like Elton John.

Good movie, but they could jave left out the gay sex scenes. IDGAF what adults do in their private lives, but I can do without seeing it. Took a star off what would have been a 5 start movie.

Loved how they mixed the music with the story so much that I read his book next. Brilliant

She packed my bags last night pre-flightZero hour nine AMAnd I'm gonna be high as a kite by thenI miss the earth so much I miss my wifeIt's lonely out in spaceOn such a timeless flightAnd I think it's gonna be a long long time'Till touch down brings me round again to findI'm not the man they think I am at homeOh no no no I'm a rocket manRocket man burning out his fuse up here aloneAnd I think it's gonna be a long long time'Till touch down brings me round again to findI'm not the man they think I am at homeOh no no no I'm a rocket manRocket man burning out his fuse up here aloneMars........Elton's second Top Ten Hit (U.K) peaking at Number 2.- Quite a film, quite a story beneath the razzle-dazzle, the songs and dance.The story telling of Reginald Dwights (Matthew Illesley a little older played by Kit Connor) early life, when he finds it difficult to connect with his mother and get the attention he wanted from his father.Early on, he develops a love for music finding he has a real talent on the piano keyboard, his grandmother encourages this.When starting out trying to break into the world of music and recording he is introduced to Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell) a talented lyricist the two hit it off almost immediately, now calling himself Elton John (Taron Egerton) he puts the tunes to Bernie's lyrics.This a friendship and partnership that will stand the test of time, the two penning many a song between them (may chart hits)However, Elton struggles beyond his friendship with Bernie to discover who he really is and who he can trust.In between the success he'll find real love hard to find, he'll drink too much, and take too many drugs.This the underlying story of Elton's early years, both as a boy and that of a pop/rock'n'roll superstar.Obviously the story with Elton involved in the film is how he wanted to be portrayed early in his life and indeed career.With many great memories in song, It's a moving watch. ......maybe not for all, but if you love the music give it a go.

Well, its pretty slow going to start with, the guy looks nothing like Elton John, singing is average to good, ive always been a big fan of Elton Johns music...never a big fan of him himself and im now glad im not. Maybe his true lifestyle should have been about his happier times but its not....full of drug and alcohol abuse and homosexuality at every turn...none of the songs were ever sung to the end and the ones that were sung was usually a bit weird ...a bit like Elton himself.....not a patch on Freddie Mercurys Bohemian Rhapsody......but i still love Eltons songs

once in a very blue moon a film comes along and makes a real impression on me, one where i turn it off and im thinking about it for days, this is one of those, im going to have to watch again soon. Absolutely brilliant and a powerful movie, the whole story line, the actor who plays Elton looks so like elton even elton himself has seen a photo of the actor in costume sitting on an airplane and thought it was an old one of himself. People mention the songs are not played in chronological order but they are played in a way that they tell the story in order.Very sad, amusing, shocking and quite frankly im suprised hes still alive but what a life!, as he said in the interview on the extras, His highs were extreamly high and lows were low!!.

I really don’t know what to make of this film. It doesn’t quite stack up in that it’s not a ‘musical’ ( hoorah) but it fails as a biopic.My heart sank in the early scenes where people started cavorting around suburban streets in poorly choreographed song. I was expecting more of a bio of Elton, particularly his early years. In that respect, disappointing. Bit of an overview but nothing was explained. Why was his father so off with him, did he actually go to the Royal School of Music, how far was he self taught..? All raised but no satisfactory explanation.His relationship with Taupin came across well an£ it’s good to see the extent to which Taupin is belatedly credited with EJ’s success. Struggles with sexuality, coping with success and the extent to which he was used by family, friends and managers were not well explained or explored. Numerous songs started but weren’t completed.The film failed for me because it seemed to lose its way. It wasn’t a musical, for which I’m grateful, but neither did it work as a reasonable biography of the ups and downs of his life. His difficulties seemed to be trivialised an£ d3spite great actor performances, I had no sense of sympathy for EJ. Disappointing overall.

Not as good as Bo Rhap but way better than Mamma Mia! Still an enjoyable movie.The film follows Reginald Dwight's / Elton's life from a young boy until I guess the early 80sWhist there are factual errors in the story it's still a glimpse into the life of Elton condensed into a 120 minute film using the songs of Elton to help tell the story of a talented musician battling with alcohol and drug addiction.It sits uneasy with me that most of the songs are not used in chronological order but I do like how the songs have been reworked musically.The star of the show is Taron Egerton who plays Elton. He's such a watchable young actor and he is supported by an amazing cast. Jamie Bell plays Bernie Taupin, Richard Madden plays John Reid, Elton's manager. Bryce Dallas Howard is unrecognisable as Elton's mum.Elton does have a great back catalogue of music but this film did leave me wanting more from the story. It's disappointing to learn that some parts of Eltons life were left out from the film and other parts fabricated or told out of order. Ie Elton and his manager did not have sex after his first American gig, but months later. For me, the scenes timelines jump without clarity of time. ie we go from His first American tour to his recording of a duet with Kiki Dee some four years later. And yes he did cancel A gig at Madison gardens, but he didn't enter rehab until years later.In some ways, I wish this film had followed the format of BoRhap, by including Eltons songs, rather than using the songs in a Mamma Mia style to tell a story. However, the escapism in the dance routines work well and add to the campness of Elton's life.This film earns a 3 and a half stars from me, but I know there's a five star film about Elton just waiting to be made somewhere. But without a doubt, Taron Egerton was born to play Elton.