Rocketman * * * * 1/2
Elton John is a musician I always admired more than appreciated. For instance, I have never bought an Elton John record, at the same time I have never turned off the radio when he has come on. And I have always found his interviews and observations very amusing. I'd readily take my hat off to such an obviously talented performer.
Rocketman is based on the first part of Elton John's life and career, through to the mid eighties. It focuses on his ascendancy and the crazy years that came with it - parties, drugs, orgies, drugs, affairs, drugs, depression, drugs..... you get the picture. You do actually feel for him. He had enough parasites and hanger-oners and exploiters to fill an auditorium. Meanwhile he is frightened to come out in regard to his sexuality. He is played flawlessly by Taron Egerton (the lad from The Kingsmen)
However, don't get the wrong impression: Rocketman is not melancholic. It's is a magical film. It's beautifully done. It tells a moving, inspiring and exciting story. In fact you wouldn't even need to know who Elton John is or what he has done to appreciate Rocketman.
It is almost like a musical at times as characters unexpectedly break into wonderful and elaborate song and dance routines.
Yet, all those wonderfully choreographed scenes aside, for me there were two moments which were utterly brilliant and rate among the most memorable I have seen in cinema.. Firstly the opening scenes as he crashes through door and walks toward us down a long white corridor in a comically demonic stage costume. Has he just emerged from hell or is that where he's going?
But the most beautiful and worthy scene is one that I have always wanted to see in every film I've seen on popular music. We know (or should know) it exists but no one has taken advantage of cinema to portray it before. It's early in the film, his reputation is growing, he is playing to a smallish crowd at the Troubador and the audience is literally lifted off the ground. The camera shows a metre of air between their feet and the floor. For those of you who have been at an intense rock concert you will know this is true. This can happen. Almost like an out of body experience. And if you've never experienced then you probably haven't got a soul and I feel sorry for you.
Anyway, after Bohemian Rhapsody this makes two highly successful well done rock-bios in a row. Who's next? My money is on David Bowie.
Rocketman is based on the first part of Elton John's life and career, through to the mid eighties. It focuses on his ascendancy and the crazy years that came with it - parties, drugs, orgies, drugs, affairs, drugs, depression, drugs..... you get the picture. You do actually feel for him. He had enough parasites and hanger-oners and exploiters to fill an auditorium. Meanwhile he is frightened to come out in regard to his sexuality. He is played flawlessly by Taron Egerton (the lad from The Kingsmen)
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| Elton in one of his less flamboyant outfits |
It is almost like a musical at times as characters unexpectedly break into wonderful and elaborate song and dance routines.
Yet, all those wonderfully choreographed scenes aside, for me there were two moments which were utterly brilliant and rate among the most memorable I have seen in cinema.. Firstly the opening scenes as he crashes through door and walks toward us down a long white corridor in a comically demonic stage costume. Has he just emerged from hell or is that where he's going?
But the most beautiful and worthy scene is one that I have always wanted to see in every film I've seen on popular music. We know (or should know) it exists but no one has taken advantage of cinema to portray it before. It's early in the film, his reputation is growing, he is playing to a smallish crowd at the Troubador and the audience is literally lifted off the ground. The camera shows a metre of air between their feet and the floor. For those of you who have been at an intense rock concert you will know this is true. This can happen. Almost like an out of body experience. And if you've never experienced then you probably haven't got a soul and I feel sorry for you.
Anyway, after Bohemian Rhapsody this makes two highly successful well done rock-bios in a row. Who's next? My money is on David Bowie.
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