I’ve been enjoying my Movies With pride series thus far this year, and I hope to expand to even more titles next year. Every title I did this year had audio description, and I hadn’t already reviewed it. Rocketman initially released during my down period, while I wasn’t writing reviews, and was questioning my self worth. A lot. What I loved about Rocketman, is the reminder that Elton John is so non-traditional in the sense of the physical look of a rockstar, but his talent was so undeniable, and his drive so strong, that people gravitated toward him and he just kept singing.

This is not my first time watching Rocketman, and thanks to Paramount Plus, I was able to enjoy it again. I’m a fan of the film. The performances, the choices of the songs, and where they are put throughout the movie almost makes Rocketman a jukebox musical. Even though it is directed by Dexter Fletcher, who got credit for finishing what Bryan Singer had shot for Bohemian Rhapsody. Despite the fact Bohemian Rhapsody had more success at the Oscar’s, Rocketman is the better film. And because Fletcher is behind this 100%, it shows what he can do without footage shot by Singer.

Even Taron Edgerton is giving a terrific performance. I would call it a career best, but I’ve seen Blackbird, which he is incredible in. I actually forgot Richard Madden was in this, playing the eventual abusive boyfriend, but Jamie bell is excellent as the best friend. He’s such a solid and reliable actor, I feel like both Taron and Jamie will eventually get Oscar nominations.

The audio description on this is really pretty good. Other than the basic stuff, I loved the attention to detail with John’s wardrobe, as he was a fearless dresser, wearing some of the most outlandish and unforgettable outfits. Whoever wrote this audio description track clearly knows how important those iconic looks are to fans, and included them. The sad truth is, this film will always miss that one thing the audio description can’t really make up, which is “how close did they come?” In biopics, a lot of the performance has to do with pulling off the look and mannerisms, and the only way you’d really get to know that is by having seen both the original person in their element, and then the actor pretending to be them. that’s how you know if someone is truly nailing the performance, aside from maybe an uncanny accent.

I’m thinking they pulled it off enough, because enough people really enjoyed this. I’m one of them. the thing that keeps this from true perfection, is that Elton John is alive, and projects about subjects that are alive, or made with the participation of the family often pull punches. Any of the more salacious elements that might exist with any real life person rarely make it in, unless it is a movie about someone that society has accepted is on the other side of normal society. We’ll portray a villain as a villain,but we feel uncomfortable bringing out the darkness in our personal heroes.

My favorite Elton John songs are the ones he wrote for The Lion King, as well as Daniel, Benny and the jets, and my all timer of his, Your Song.

What are yours?

Final Grade: A-