Rocketman
The last 12 month have seen the release of two biopics about British melodious icons , both directed by Dexter Fletcher ( even if one was uncredited ) . Last year’sBohemian Rhapsody — the account of Queen and its fabled frontman Freddie Mercury — was in the conversation for laurels almost immediately . Not unfounded , it then saw four Academy Award go its way , including best leading actor for Rami Malek , the man that brought Freddie to lifespan again .
Now ’s the turn of Elton John andRocketman , an uber - stylize biopic starringThe Kingsmanfilms ’ Taron Egerton . Rocketmanis an unflinching retelling of Elton John ’s life and uses his medicine to with child effect , something which has already had critics suppose it ’s a just picture show thanBohemian Rhapsody . So , come award season next yr , willRocketman’sfilmmakers be in the conversation for some award of their own ?
But with these two projects so faithful together , we want to look at how they last blow - for - blow . So here are five things we thinkRocketmandoes well thanBohemianRhapsody(and five things it does n’t ) .
Better: The Film’s Main Relationship
Bernie Taupin and Elton John go manus - in - hand . Jamie Bell play the singer ’s long - time lyrist and best champion inRocketman , and it ’s a very convincingly present relationship that ’s sweet and tender . Bernie map a steady ship for Elton John and is someone that he employ to check in with world . It ’s also pretty affecting that he ’s the only soul that went to see him when he was in rehab .
The movie make a gunpoint of saying that , in 45 years , the two have n’t had an contestation , and even though they exchange harsh words , they do n’t even need to make up . And Jamie Bell play the fiber with such philia that you’re able to see that there ’s nothing but making love between them .
Worse: The Voice
A lot was talked about how Rami Malek would be able to keep up with the unbelievable vocals of Freddie Mercury inBohemian Rhapsodyin the run - up to the plastic film ’s vent . Thanks to some very clever audio technology , the movie did a bully job with the voice . Throughout the flick , not only do the vocal sound great , but they sense like Freddie ’s .
This had to be done because Mercury had such a distinctive voice . And while Taron ’s performance are very realized indeed , his vox is n’t as tightlipped to Elton ’s as Rami ’s was to Freddie ’s . Both work for their several films , though , becauseRocketman’smusic is an interpretation of Elton ’s , whileBohemian Rhapsodyis a realistic depiction of Queen ’s .
Better: The Star’s Reality
To say thatRocketmanis ‘ unflinching ’ is something of an understatement . Elton John ’s been on record this last workweek say that he fought to ensure his story was n’t a PG-13 - rated picture because he has n’t had a PG-13 spirit . And that ’s unmistakable throughoutRocketman .
The sequences of drug use and sex are fairly explicit and show incisively the experience Elton has had . A Mumsnet drug user review of the filmwent viral last weekafter discussing the gender view between Taron and Richard Madden , who plays John Reid , Elton ’s manager and sexual love stake . Reid , who does n’t come off well inRocketman , is coincidently the other connection between the two movie , as he was also the manager of Queen and is played by Aidan Gillen inBohemianRhapsody .
Worse: The Look
If we were all ask to pull in a movie of Elton John , he could be in any number of the luxuriant costumes and attend he ’s sported over the eld . And whileRocketman’scostume design is incredible , Bohemian Rhapsodyis better as far as the fundamental type ’s key look run low .
When many people remember of Freddie Mercury , it ’s him in his gloomy blue jean , white tank top with cropped disgraceful hairsbreadth , and shameful moustache . And not only did the costume clothes designer peg this , but the make - up on Rami Malek is also really something . At several points throughout the moving picture , you ’d be forgiven for thinking that it was actually Mercury on concealment . To roil it down : if this were a engagement of the false dentition , Bohemian Rhapsodywould take it .
Better: Musical Arrangement
The habit of music throughoutRocketmanis something really particular . A movie with liberal melodious numbers , Rocketman’suse of Elton John ’s songs is very different fromBohemian Rhapsody ’s kinship to Queen ’s medicine . While Queen ’s performances and music are used as central history points all the way through Freddie ’s narration , Rocketmanrearranges the Sung dynasty and ties them into meter in Elton ’s life in a really interesting — but chronologically discrepant — way .
While this does signify they ’re not in the right order — The Bitch is Backis spill the beans by a 10 - year - previous Elton John , for example — this esthetic licence when it comes to the music allows for some powerful melodic numbers and a really swell , original - feeling soundtrack . Saturday Night ’s Alrightis a particularly high spot with a huge melodious agreement that sees Kit Connor as a teenaged Elton commence the vocal before Taron Egerton takes over and executes a bragging dance routine .
Worse: The Humor
Rocketmanhas elements of humor to it , but it ’s much more of a stylistic musical than a comedic jaunt . Bohemian Rhapsody , on the other handwriting , has some great lines between the set members which add a great sentience of wittiness to the movie .
It also has characters who have clearly been overdone to dissemble as comic fill-in . While it take aim many a retentive time to acknowledge that it was Mike Myers under the makeup as Ray Foster , he had some great lines , including one really specific and really funnyWayne ’s Worldjoke .
Better: Style & Direction
Dexter Fletcher has created an incredibly stylized movie inRocketman — it ’s a recounting of Elton John ’s level from the singer ’s own point of view . That imply that whileBohemianRhapsodywas a much more straightforward telling of Freddie ’s story , Rocketmanfrequently verge on the surreal because that ’s how Elton saw that present moment in his biography .
This is mostly seen in Taron Egerton ’s performance as Elton throughoutRocketman , which let in dance numbers , floating interview phallus , and a brilliant chronological succession position toPinball Wizardwhere a spinning photographic camera allows for Taron to cycle through several of Elton ’s most far-famed costumes and live performances . And it ’s not just the carrying out : representing Elton ’s off - microscope stage antics , there are succession of drug use that are more than just trippy . They ’re improbably accomplished pieces of filmmaking .
Worse: Relation To The Outside World
ThroughoutBohemian Rhapsody , it provided tie to the outside world to give context to what was going on with Queen at that time . This was through news reputation in the desktop , mention to other artist , and dialogue about what way of music were popular when Queen recorded sure songs .
This is something that ’s missing fromRocketman . It ’s a very insular pic that focuses entirely on Elton ’s exploits without many relations to what was going on externally . You see him age and grow , but that ’s really the only indication . This is likely done purposely , as for a fate of Elton ’s sprightliness in the limelight , he was unaware of his surroundings , acting purely out of his own self - interests .
Better: Drama
Bohemian Rhapsodytells the story of Freddie Mercury without much eclat and circumstance . And while he ’s had his hassle , it tie up his story neatly in a bow . Rocketman , on the other hand , almost relishes in Elton John ’s pain in the ass and the loneliness he ’s experient . It ’s this that tests Taron Egerton ’s mettle as a dramatic actor , letting him really shine as Elton John .
Twinning his functioning with Dexter Fletcher ’s stylistic and storytelling choice makes for a much more dramatic movie thanBohemian Rhapsody .
Worse: No Iconic Performance
Elton John has had many iconic performance throughout his calling , but none are as far-famed as Queen ’s appearance at Live financial aid in 1985 . This performance is one that ’s considered by many as one of the best performances — not just of Queen ’s , but of anyone ’s .
And this succession inBohemian Rhapsodydoesn’t disappoint on any spirit level . The flick could have terminate with Freddie walking onto the stage at the former Wembley Stadium , but instead , the filmmakers doubled down , recreate the carrying into action step for step . The attention to particular in this sequence is outstanding ; you may even view it side - by - side with footage of the actual public presentation to see just how well it ’s executed .
NEXT : Rocketman Review : Taron Egerton Shines In Elton John Musical Biopic
