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ROCKETMAN (2019)

Jacob Nelson

11/24/19 - Rocketman (2019) - 6+/10

Much more of a truth to power musical than I expected, coming from the same man who really brought us Bohemian Rhapsody. This felt more of a personal tale that was more about delivering heart rather than solipsistically flouting about, for both gain and ill without any sense of wonder. Here we get the blending of magical realism along with hard realities to create fantastic special depth in what could be a simple memoir. 

Musicals aren’t my thing, in all honesty, but they did a fine job of encapsulating the bullet points of his life and deciphering the emotional resonance of each song and its application to the drama. A fine blend of story and song, which certainly helps when it is the forever catchy Elton John. 

Edgerton was a triumph, shining with his ACTUAL singing and bringing his acting chops down when necessary. This is the best showcase for his talents he has ever had and I hope to see more of him along these lines.

Where this film lets itself down was not in likability or watchability, but in not pushing the envelope. Yes, the morphing of costumes, sets, and songs in a whinsically magical dance of the otherworldly was delightful, but there isn’t a single moment that dives deeper than cutaneous. The themes aren’t only drilled into you without the delicacy of simply telling, but shown in flashback montage, pummeled repetitively and are unsubtly blared right into you ears. I think this film could have been really really good, if it gave credit to the audience and let us come to its meanings and modes.

You can’t really discuss this film without comparing it to Bohemian Rhapsody of the previous year. An artist with similar themes, similar fanbase, similar timing, and strong lead performances and  the same director (uncredited because he took over direction of BR). Both films are driven by their oh so likable musical accompaniment and their adept leading men. Rocketman surpasses BR by being artistically more inventive and boundary pushing. It blends the music in, tells a better story, and does not have the specific cinematic deficiencies that plagued BR. I believe that BR robbed the thunder from Rocketman, but such is the way of things. 

An ultimately enjoyable and musically exciting flick that doesn’t reach true amazement. Their song set-pieces pack some hit and miss hotness and you will be left humming the wonderful tunes. Still, can’t see saying more than “that was pretty ok”.