I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this brand new Elton John biopic. The reviews have been very good, and I've been a fan of his music for years. So I'm happy to report that 'Rocketman' is very well done and has been put together with tremendous care, and it's well worth the two hours spent in the theatre.
The film started started slow for me, but what became clear very early on was the intensity of Taron Egerton's performance as Elton. He's brilliant, and he even sings all the songs. The action picks up when Elton meets lyricist Bernie Taupin, and by the time Elton and his band are showcasing at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, I was hooked. How did the production team get the crowd to levi --- , well, perhaps I shouldn't give that part away.
'Rocketman' is full of fantasy, and at the same time tells Elton's story in an extremely personal fashion. That's why it carries the R rating. Elton's dad, according to this film, was not the most caring soul, so when a montage of photos of the real Elton plays at the end, and a photo of him, his husband and two sons appears with the caption "now Elton is loved ... properly," the moral of the story is clear: all you need is love.