Rocketman (Limited Edition SteelBook / Plus Bonus Digital Movie 'Almost Famous') [Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD] [Region Free] [Blu-ray]

"Rocketman" (2019 release; 121 min.) is a bio-pic about Elton John, "based on a true fantasy" as we were promised in the movie's trailer. As the movie opens, Elton is in an outrageous costume and he staggers into what we then understand is his very first AA meeting. Elton begins telling his life story to the group, and as he starts singing "The Bitch Is Back", the movie morphs back to Elton's early childhood. We get to know Reggie Dwight as a 5 yr. old, living with his miserable parents (his dad is cold and aloof, to say the least), but Reggie takes an immediate interest in his dad's record collection... At this point we are 10 min. into the movie, but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.Couple of comments: Elton John's biopic has been in development hell for many years (at one point Justin Timberlake was attached to play Elton), but the movie is finally here, directed by Dexter Fletcher, who also came to the rescue for last year's Freddie Mercury bio-pic "Bohemian Rhapsody". The interesting thing is that these 2 movie's couldn't be more different. Whereas "Bohemian Rhapsody" follows the traditional bio-pic path, "Rocketman" does not, and cannot be relied upon to be an accurate reflection of Elton John's musical career (example: it shows Elton performing "Crocodile Rock" at one of the famed 1970 LA Troubadour shows, a song from several years later that he didn't perform in 1970). Later on, "Rocketman" (the song) is played out as a long fantasy scene in a pool. And so on. The movie feels more like a Broadway play, and in fact I will state right now that it's only a matter of time before this becomes a mega-Broadway show. The other big difference with "Bohemian Rhapsody" is that the songs we hear are sung by Taron Egerton (best known for his role in the "Kingsman" movies and also in "Eddie the Eagle"), and often in dramatically different arrangements than the originals. Let's be clear: Egerton is absolutely fantastic as Elton, and he also has a great voice, but there is something slightly unsettling about hearing these songs in such a different way. But in the end, the movie clearly is about love (or the lack thereof), and Elton's never-ending journey for redemption (which he eventually finds). The movie does not shy away from Elton's love for men (and the movie is rated R accordingly). "Victim of Love" is surely what he was, and the song is featured prominently in the film. But the ultimate redemption is equally deserved (as we see in the end-titles update)."Rocketman" was released wide this weekend, and I couldn't wait to see it. The Friday evening screening where I saw this at here in Cincinnati in a fairly large theater was sold out to the very last seat. I quite enjoyed the movie, although I don't think it's up to the same level as "Bohemian Rhapsody" but Taron Egerton deserves props for his performance. If you have any interest in Elton John or in rock history, I'd readily suggest you check this out, be it in the theater, on Amazon Instant Video, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

I loved Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star is Born so I thought I would like this. Hated it. Nearly every minute of it. Didn't like the weird musical numbers. Didn't like young Elton. Didn't like how they changed the songs. Didn't like the order of the songs. There was no rise to stardom moments. There was no interaction with other rock star moments. Two or three times in the movie they mention other rock stars are at a gig or party but there are no scenes with them. This left me feeling short changed. I'm going to put my Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy record on the turn table just to regain my love for Elton's music. I need to forget this movie asap.

If you loved Bohemian Rhapsody, RUN do not walk to Rocketman. By far, the superior film of the two. Where Rhapsody was carried by Rami Malik playing Freddy Mercury, Rocketman creates a unique storyline, with fine performances all round. The weirdest thing was watching Bryce Dallas Howard gain weight..but..I laughed, I cried (twice) and could not sit still. Taron Egerton BLOWS away the Oscar competition, so far. I can see Egerton possessing the Best Actor Oscar this year. Best Supporting Actor nods to Richard Madden and Jamie Bell (as Bernie Taupin).This is also a Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Soundtrack, Best Cinematography and Best Director (same director as Bohemian Rhapsody) nomination film. The fastest and best 2+ hours I have spent in awhile.

Ugh, sucked. Want my $20 back. Didn't know it would be a cheesy musical.

Who knew this was a full blown musical? They damn sure don’t advertise that. So, for those that don’t know, this is a full blown musical. No thanks. Wasted 20.00

The actor deserves an Oscar for his Elton performance. He's a great actor and singer in his own right.

I'm a BIG Elton fan... been to couple of shows. Respect him as a professional and a musician... BUT, this movie was HORRIBLE. Couldn't even get through 30 minutes of it... like some dis-jointed dream sequence that turns into a musical, complete with dancers... it's like they are planning to make it into a musical and said... "let's see how this turns out on film first".... seriously, was SO looking forward to a linear storyline about Sir Elton's life... (A GREAT story on it's own merit) without seeing the little 10 year old Elton all of a sudden jump up and start singing "Saturday's All Right for Fighting" along with the accompanying dancers... which, BTW, Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics what, 15 years after this supposedly takes place ? Yeah, I get it, they took his fantastic library, and then placed it at points in his life, suppose to represent what he was going through, along with the constant street dancers appearing all of a sudden... sorry, just didn't work.... Really, if you are a Elton Fan, maybe there is a book or something available, and put in a LP or CD and listen... just don't waste a minute on this disaster...

The fact that Elton John's music provided the soundtrack to my high school years skews any objectivity I might have in reviewing this film. The musical/fantasy style is not my favorite but given the subject it seems fitting. The budget for flamboyant spectacle frames would probably fund two or three indie films! I can't begin to guess how much was spent on the numerous over-the-top stage costumes and elaborate 'street' clothes worn by Mr. Egerton in the movie, there must be over 70 wardrobe changes. Speaking of Taaron Egerton, he does a superb job as Elton, looks a bit like him, and is a decent singer. The story told here is no hagiography; it's an honest look at EJ's early life with his family, his struggles with his sexuality, later drug & alcohol addictions, and his ultimate rehab and recovery. With so many songs to choose from we're treated to many old favorites that fans will find themselves mouthing the words to. Despite the production numbers "Rocketman" is a moving tale about a gifted, shy kid who rises to superstardom which almost kills him. It made me happy to know Sir Elton has finally found sobriety, peace and love.

Well, its pretty slow going to start with, the guy looks nothing like Elton John, singing is average to good, ive always been a big fan of Elton Johns music...never a big fan of him himself and im now glad im not. Maybe his true lifestyle should have been about his happier times but its not....full of drug and alcohol abuse and homosexuality at every turn...none of the songs were ever sung to the end and the ones that were sung was usually a bit weird ...a bit like Elton himself.....not a patch on Freddie Mercurys Bohemian Rhapsody......but i still love Eltons songs

She packed my bags last night pre-flightZero hour nine AMAnd I'm gonna be high as a kite by thenI miss the earth so much I miss my wifeIt's lonely out in spaceOn such a timeless flightAnd I think it's gonna be a long long time'Till touch down brings me round again to findI'm not the man they think I am at homeOh no no no I'm a rocket manRocket man burning out his fuse up here aloneAnd I think it's gonna be a long long time'Till touch down brings me round again to findI'm not the man they think I am at homeOh no no no I'm a rocket manRocket man burning out his fuse up here aloneMars........Elton's second Top Ten Hit (U.K) peaking at Number 2.- Quite a film, quite a story beneath the razzle-dazzle, the songs and dance.The story telling of Reginald Dwights (Matthew Illesley a little older played by Kit Connor) early life, when he finds it difficult to connect with his mother and get the attention he wanted from his father.Early on, he develops a love for music finding he has a real talent on the piano keyboard, his grandmother encourages this.When starting out trying to break into the world of music and recording he is introduced to Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell) a talented lyricist the two hit it off almost immediately, now calling himself Elton John (Taron Egerton) he puts the tunes to Bernie's lyrics.This a friendship and partnership that will stand the test of time, the two penning many a song between them (may chart hits)However, Elton struggles beyond his friendship with Bernie to discover who he really is and who he can trust.In between the success he'll find real love hard to find, he'll drink too much, and take too many drugs.This the underlying story of Elton's early years, both as a boy and that of a pop/rock'n'roll superstar.Obviously the story with Elton involved in the film is how he wanted to be portrayed early in his life and indeed career.With many great memories in song, It's a moving watch. ......maybe not for all, but if you love the music give it a go.

once in a very blue moon a film comes along and makes a real impression on me, one where i turn it off and im thinking about it for days, this is one of those, im going to have to watch again soon. Absolutely brilliant and a powerful movie, the whole story line, the actor who plays Elton looks so like elton even elton himself has seen a photo of the actor in costume sitting on an airplane and thought it was an old one of himself. People mention the songs are not played in chronological order but they are played in a way that they tell the story in order.Very sad, amusing, shocking and quite frankly im suprised hes still alive but what a life!, as he said in the interview on the extras, His highs were extreamly high and lows were low!!.

Not as good as Bo Rhap but way better than Mamma Mia! Still an enjoyable movie.The film follows Reginald Dwight's / Elton's life from a young boy until I guess the early 80sWhist there are factual errors in the story it's still a glimpse into the life of Elton condensed into a 120 minute film using the songs of Elton to help tell the story of a talented musician battling with alcohol and drug addiction.It sits uneasy with me that most of the songs are not used in chronological order but I do like how the songs have been reworked musically.The star of the show is Taron Egerton who plays Elton. He's such a watchable young actor and he is supported by an amazing cast. Jamie Bell plays Bernie Taupin, Richard Madden plays John Reid, Elton's manager. Bryce Dallas Howard is unrecognisable as Elton's mum.Elton does have a great back catalogue of music but this film did leave me wanting more from the story. It's disappointing to learn that some parts of Eltons life were left out from the film and other parts fabricated or told out of order. Ie Elton and his manager did not have sex after his first American gig, but months later. For me, the scenes timelines jump without clarity of time. ie we go from His first American tour to his recording of a duet with Kiki Dee some four years later. And yes he did cancel A gig at Madison gardens, but he didn't enter rehab until years later.In some ways, I wish this film had followed the format of BoRhap, by including Eltons songs, rather than using the songs in a Mamma Mia style to tell a story. However, the escapism in the dance routines work well and add to the campness of Elton's life.This film earns a 3 and a half stars from me, but I know there's a five star film about Elton just waiting to be made somewhere. But without a doubt, Taron Egerton was born to play Elton.

The leading actor did well but I couldn't work out what the film was really trying to achieve. It jumped from crisis to crisis with disjointed fantasy interspersed with snippets from the misery and confusion of Elton John's life. It was more like a cartoon caricature than a representation of Elton John's rise to fame, fall, and rise again. The message I took away was that nearly everyone in EJ's life was rather unpleasant and, on occasion, so was he.