Frost and Fire by The Watersons
Album
First released in 1965, Frost and Fire, A Calendar Of Ritual and Magical Songs was the debut album...
Offering: Live At Temple University by John Coltrane
Album
'Offering: Live At Temple University' documents a legendary concert by John Coltrane at Temple...
Maskelyne: Astronomer Royal
Rebekah Higgett, Jim Bennett, Nicky Reeves and Mary Croarken
Book
Nevil Maskelyne (1732-1811) was a hugely significant figure in the worlds of British science and...
A Tale of Seven Scientists and a New Philosophy of Science
Book
In his latest book, Eric Scerri presents a completely original account of the nature of scientific...
A Chevalier from Poland: The Memoirs of Chevalier Rafael de Weryha-Wysoczanski
Book
The memoirs of Chevalier Rafael de Weryha-Wysoczanski, a Polish nobleman whose nobility dates back...
General Percy Kirke and the Later Stuart Army
Book
General Percy Kirke (c. 1647-91) is remembered in Somerset as a cruel, vicious thug who deluged the...
Thundercat recommended The Chick Corea Elektric Band by The Chick Corea Elektric Band in Music (curated)
Boomerang Mail
Productivity
App Watch
Join millions who use Boomerang to email productively and save time. Boomerang’s iPhone email app...
productivity
DistanceMap
Navigation and Sports
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**Voted 2nd Best distance mapping app for iPhone and iPad by apppicker.com!! ...
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Rocketman (2019) in Movies
Jun 11, 2019
And...I would be wrong...for ROCKETMAN is a fun, fantastical fantasy musical depicting the rise and fall (by drug and alcohol abuse) of one of rock's most flamboyant showman of the 1970's.
Following the "Jukebox Musical" blueprint of something like JERSEY BOYS, Rocketman follows a young Reggie Dwight as he discovers his musical talent and grows into the Global Superstar known as Elton John.
I was happy that the filmmakers went this route (vs the bio-pic route that BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY went) for they were able to use the vast catalog of Elton John/Bernie Taupin tunes to their fullest advantage, when it made sense to drive the narrative forward - or to give the storytelling a shot of adrenaline.
This film had Elton John's blessings and he was not kind to a few people in his life - most notably his mother (an almost unrecognizable Bryce Dallas Howard in a strong turn), his father (Steve Mackintosh, who I had never seen before) and his Manager, John Reid (Game of Throne's Richard Madden). All 3 are pretty one-dimensional villains that help contribute to Elton's drug and alcohol abuse.
On the other side of the coin is his writing partner, Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell, the original BILLY ELLIOT in a performance that I think is the best of his career) and his Grandmother, Ivy (good ol' Gemma Jones BRIDGET JONES DIARY and Madam Pomfrey in the Harry Potter films). Both of these characters are generally positive influences on Elton's life, trying to understand and support our hero on his journey.
As for our hero, Taran Egerton (the KINGSMAN films) embodies Elton with panache and zeal while showing an underlying shyness and insecurity that helps lead to his abuse issues. Egerton is EXCELLENT in this role - both in acting and singing. He doesn't so much imitate Elton John but embodies the essence of Sir Elton and his performance is quite effective. If Rami Malek deserved his Oscar for playing Freddy Mercury in BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY then Taran Egerton better be in the Oscar conversation this year.
The film was Directed by Dexter Fletcher (who was brought on to finish BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY once Bryan Singer was fired from that film for his on-set behavior), so he puts to good use his experience on the Queen movie, keeping the action moving fast, the characterizations simple (but satisfying) enough while showcasing just enough music to fill a "Best of" Album.
While BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY was a "meh" movie with a buffo ending (the recreation of the LIVE AID concert was amazing), ROCKETMAN suffers from just the opposite problem. Starting off strong and growing weaker until it ends in "meh" fashion. The fact that this film musical fantasy decided to end with a faithful recreation of the I'M STILL STANDING music video is at the heart of the issue. I understand the implied underlying meaning of this song selection, but it just doesn't pack the punch that a live concert appearance would have.
Come for the music, stay for Egerton's performance and you'll be glad you did.
Letter Grade: A-
8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)