British musical drama based on the life and career of singer, songwriter and musician Elton John.
A sequin-encrusted delight. On paper it reads like a by-the-book biopic; on screen it explodes with the kind of colour and energy that only Elton John himself could invoke.
Egerton gives it his all, and there are moments of visual invention, but this largely formulaic rock biopic can’t hit the high notes.
Taron Egerton does a good impression of the flamboyant musician in this sucrose treatment, a by-the-numbers approach authorised by Elton himself.
Dexter Fletcher's authorised Elton John biopic uses lavish musical sequences to whisk his way through episodes in the now superstar's life.
Rocketman aspires to nothing more than colourful reportage of a life already well-known to the public, dissolving into an encyclopedia entry as the final title cards inform us that things turned out alright for this “Elton John” fellow.
Fantasy replaces fact in this fun biopic of Elton John, from director Dexter Fletcher.
Taron Egerton is terrific as the singer, but the real star of this electric biopic is director Dexter Fletcher.
Rocketman may be more camp and kaleidoscopic than wild – even though it never shirks away from the loneliness and frustration which fuelled much of Elton’s self-destruction – but as the title suggests it’s a blast!
Jamie Bell on Rocketman
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General release. Check local listings for show times.
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