Yep, I'm giving it a full 5 stars. You'll see why in a mo...😉
I was given the DVD on my birthday this year (22nd March), and I'm eternally grateful for it! Thanks Mum! Love ya! 🥰

This is another one of those biopics where most of the events portrayed in the film are not quite as accurate as the events that happened in real life, and every moment is a "You'll never be famous", "Woe is me" kind of tale we've seen countless times before. BUT WAIT, this isn't just any old biopic. Instead of a full-on factual biopic, it's almost completely fantasised, which is very fitting given Elton John's flamboyant personality in real life. And it's a musical, which is rare to see in Biopic Land. Let me reiterate: this film is a dramatic musical fantasy biopic. I never thought such a thing existed until now. And wow! Does it make an impression!

The cinematography and choreography scenes were absolutely stunning. The colours, the sound, the energy; they all meld really well together! It's like something you'd see at the London Palladium or on Broadway. Sunshine On Leith, eat your heart out! (I don't dislike that film, though. It's a decent starting point for Dexter Fletcher before going on to direct Rocketman.)
Though he doesn't boast any striking resemblance to Elton John, Taron Egerton was utterly mesmerising in the role. He was clearly passionate about playing the gifted singer and he made that role his own. He completely tore apart his boyish and innocent exterior in order to play something that's rather challenging: to play a troubled musician with a troubled past and who suffered with terrible habits such as cocaine and alcohol addiction. Taron captured parts of the musician effortlessly and beautifully, never once demonising or damaging his personality in a parodic fashion. Like with Rami Malek's performance as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, it was a performance that was honest and filled with respect; an epic tour-de-force. His acting alongside supporting acts such as Richard Madden, Jamie Bell, Stephen Graham and Gemma Jones, felt real and personal. Taron's singing was also his own and not a parody of Elton John's, and which melted my heart into a pool of happiness as soon as I heard it. I love the fact that he was finally able to put his singing to good use after he sang one song for the film Eddie the Eagle alongside OMD of all people. My favourite is probably 'Crocodile Rock', a song which he performed at The Troubadour nightclub. The cinematography in that scene was gorgeous as well and very inventive, as if we're delving into the joyous and hopeful fantasies of a young, budding musician hoping to make it big in Hollywood and everywhere else around the world.

My only complaint? I hungered for more! No reason, really. Maybe it was too short? No matter. I still love it as it is all the same. I love that I was spellbound the whole way through, and I hope to start it all over again whenever I like sometime soon.

All in all, Rocketman isn't an accurate page-to-page story about Elton John's life. It's simply an affectionate tribute to Elton John, which showcased not only his talents as a musician, but it also showed the personal struggles he faced outside the music industry. It was a deeply emotional but a really entertaining and a feel-good film all in one. This is definitely (in my opinion, at least) 10x better than Bohemian Rhapsody!

Another grand achievement by Dexter Fletcher. I'm looking forward to seeing what his next project will be. Maybe he'll do a Beatles biopic in the near future? Who knows! He's full of surprises, so it isn't impossible! Fantastic work!

10/10