I’ve never been a fan of Elton’s John music, growing up it just wasn’t around for me to listen to but that definitely will not hinder anyone from falling in love with ROCKETMAN and Taron Egerton who stars as the talented and flamboyant artist. So no matter what year you were born in or what genre of music you like, Rocketman is one of those films where you get to know an incredible human being not only for what they have accomplished in music but you will get to know a part of them as a person and the journey they had to go through, “Kill who you are to be the person you want to become” which in the end ultimately becoming ‘okay’ with you are, no matter how strange and the fact that you will be entertained the whole time is just a bonus.
The film opens when a bedazzled devil throws open a pair of doors and marches down a long corridor, feathers, beads and glitters from his ensemble falling down as he does so.
Its Elton John and he has just romped his way through a session of AA and begins telling his story, that he was once a shy boy named Reggie Dwight who wanted nothing more than the approval of his father.
The audience is taken to his childhood home, where there is an elaborate song and dance number, costumes, hair, make up and set pieces appropriate of the time.
It is beautiful.
It is impressive.
My friends, it is just the beginning.
You soon realize that you are familiar with Elton John’s music. You just didn’t know that it was him! I used to hear Saturday Night as a song in a commercial and I didn’t know that “Sorry Is The Hardest Word” was his song. And it turns out you have been hearing bits and pieces of “Your Song” and “Tiny Dancer” throughout your life! Now you know the story of the creative duo behind these iconic songs.
As mentioned in the vlog, “I’m Still Standing” is the first Elton John song I really liked, and probably still is my favorite. It’s interesting to note that I fell in love with the song because of the animated film “Sing” which also coincidentally stars Taron Edgerton voicing a Gorilla named Johnny with Daddy issues and ends up singing an Elton John hit! Who knew that things would come full circle when he finally put on those ostentatious glasses as Elton John and also be singing the same song but only this time as the artist himself! This fact never seizes to amaze me and I think I will always bring it up when I talk about ROCKETMAN. You can watch the video here.
More than just the dazzling production numbers with catchy songs and impressive performances is the story of a boy, ever seeking for love and approval and never finding it, because some people can just be completely cruel (even the people who are supposed to love can’t seem to get over themselves).
Yet in this crazy, crazy world we do get to find people who do love us and accept us for who we really are, amidst the glitz and glamour and rock and roll of the film, Rocketman is a FANTASY MUSICAL in every sense of the word and underneath all the glitter and sparkle is a BEAUTIFUL story about a TRUE and GENUINE friendship, one that has withstood time, distance, challenges and has made it through the trials and tribulations of fame and fortune, and yes, even sex drugs and rock and roll, and that is of course, also one of the most important creative partnerships in history, that of Elton John and his good friend and lyricist Bernie Taupin.
“Rocketman” is the INCREDIBLE true story of Elton John told through the MAGNIFICENT performance of Taron Egerton, who becomes Reggie Dwight in a once in a lifetime performance, as he faces his past, battles his demons and seeks for redemption.
You will SING, you will DANCE, you will LAUGH, you will CRY, you will HURT, you will HOPE and you will LOVE as this incredible tale which rings true to this day in so many ways captures you in its glitz and glamour, as well as its ugly hard to believe truths.
9.5/10 – Rocketman is a story about redemption, about finding your way no matter how lost you get and it is a story of love and hope. The music, the dancing and the production numbers are all just icing on the cake, an exquisite one, mind you.