--- title: "Rocketman: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/rocketman/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/rocketman" critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 28 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Rocketman (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 72 from 28 reviews: 21 positive, 5 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics welcome Rocketman as an energetic musical whose fantasy sequences make inventive use of Elton John’s songs. Praise centres on Taron Egerton’s singing and committed performance, with Dexter Fletcher’s staging giving the numbers purpose beyond reproducing familiar hits. Many reviews also value the film’s candour about sexuality and addiction, finding more emotional honesty here than in a conventional account of fame and excess. The reservations concern how far that invention extends to the drama: familiar biopic beats, thin supporting characters and spectacle that sometimes crowds out emotional depth. The spread is wide, from enthusiastic endorsements to outright rejection. The New Yorker offers an unusual reservation about Egerton, finding his portrayal short of charm while enjoying key musical sequences. Vulture is more firmly opposed, arguing that recovery clichés and shallow characterisation leave the film dramatically flat despite his efforts. ## The Telegraph Rating 5/5. 22 May 2019. Fletcher's Elton John musical is a heart-racing, toe-tapping triumph that deploys the songs in inventive ways. Egerton delivers an uncanny, show-stopping performance as the star. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/rocketman-review-elton-john-story-heart-racing-toe-tapping-all/) ## Evening Standard — Matthew Norman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 24 May 2019. The critic praises the film as a dazzling, witty, and candid jukebox musical that boldly reimagines Elton John's life with fantasy elements and graphic honesty about his addictions and sexuality. Taron Egerton's performance and Dexter Fletcher's direction are singled out for their energy, charm, and emotional truth. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/rocketman-review-its-gonna-be-a-long-long-time-until-a-showbiz-biopic-tops-this-a4150611.html) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 26 May 2019. The film is a dazzling, nonlinear rock opera that mixes fact and fantasy through its jukebox soundtrack. Fletcher proves himself the master of the modern screen musical, with Egerton's central performance a standout. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/may/26/rocketman-review-right-spectacle-elton-john) ## Empire — John Nugent Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 17 May 2019. The review calls it a sequin-encrusted delight that sticks to biopic conventions but uses inventive, fantastical musical sequences to bring fresh energy and visual flair. Taron Egerton's electrifying performance and the film's willingness to depict Elton's hedonism and sexuality openly are highlighted as strengths. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/rocketman-review/) ## Radio Times — Terry Staunton Rating ★★★★. 21 May 2019. Egerton's performance is singled out as brilliant and substantial, carrying a dazzling, all-singing account that mixes fantasy with gritty undertones of addiction and personal struggles. The film is seen as more honest than similar biopics. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/rocketman-review-taron-egerton-elton-john-biopic/) ## Sight and Sound — Rebecca Harrison Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2019. The critic praises the film's kinetic energy, poignant moments, and especially its open, celebratory depiction of Elton John's gay sexuality and sex life, which avoids tragic clichés. Musical numbers are highlighted as dazzling and the film's greatest strength. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/rocketman-review-out-proud-elton-john-musical-biopic) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 4/5. 16 May 2019. The review lauds the film's turbo-charged energy, inventive musical sequences, and strong central performance that reinvents the movie musical while balancing highs and addiction lows. It credits the director for coming of age and avoiding biopic pitfalls. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/rocketman) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2019. Festival review. The affecting, sprawling musical treats performances of Elton's hits as psychologically revealing numbers and re-creates concert moments with meticulous accuracy. Egerton is game and gifted in the lead role amid the sweet sounds and bright visuals, though the ending holds no surprises. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-rocketman-review-elton-john-20190516-story.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2019. Festival review. The film launches spectacularly with bold musical fantasy sequences and Egerton's committed performance but suffers from narrative shortcomings that limit emotional depth. It remains flashy and entertaining enough for many viewers despite a shaky trajectory. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/rocketman-cannes-2019-1211566/) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 31 May 2019. Rocketman is framed as a therapeutic exercise and stands as the better film compared to Bohemian Rhapsody, allowing latitude with Elton's bad behavior and factual tweaks while delivering exultant musical moments like the levitating Troubadour scene. Egerton's impersonation has a curious blankness and shortage of charm, though the film takes off in key sequences. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/06/10/rocketman-and-the-art-of-the-acceptably-outrageous) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Rating NYT Critic’s Pick. 28 May 2019. The film offers a candid, fantastical retelling of Elton John's life with Taron Egerton delivering a tour de force performance that blends hard-living survivor and rock god elements. Fletcher's direction brings extravagant energy reminiscent of Baz Luhrmann, though it occasionally overreaches in spectacle and storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/28/movies/rocketman-review.html) ## The Times Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 25 May 2019. Rocketman is a flamboyant yet lightweight biopic that pulls off the same enjoyable trick as Bohemian Rhapsody. Taron Egerton is perfect as Elton the performer in this karaoke-style musical. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/rocketman-review-taron-egerton-is-perfect-as-elton-john-the-performer-fzccsz987) ## Variety Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2019. Festival review. Dexter Fletcher has fashioned an ebullient monument to Elton John featuring a committed turn from Taron Egerton that is clichéd in the telling but gets by on the strength of the early catalog and songs. The relentlessly razzle-dazzle homage transforms the piano prodigy into a top-selling pop musician with full-blown instrumentation. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/rocketman-review-elton-john-1203218116/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 17 May 2019. Festival review. The critic notes the razzle-dazzle biopic ambitions, Egerton's committed performance including singing, and impressionistic musical numbers, but finds the overkill and narrative predictability overwhelming in this tale of rock-star excess and recovery. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/rocketman-cannes-review/5139550.article) ## Total Film — Jordan Farley Rating 3/5. 16 May 2019. Egerton gives it his all with lively and flamboyant moments of visual invention in the fantasy sequences, but the film is largely formulaic and follows familiar rock biopic beats too closely to truly dazzle. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/rocketman-review/) ## IndieWire — Eric Kohn Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2019. Festival review. Dexter Fletcher's exuberant tribute is better than Bohemian Rhapsody but mostly a colorful vessel for greatest hits, functioning as a cheesy jukebox musical. It prioritizes spectacle over deeper substance in its Cannes premiere screening. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/rocketman-review-elton-john-cannes-2019-1202141842/) ## Slant Magazine — Pat Brown Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 20 May 2019. As a musical, the film is fun enough to mostly distract from its superficiality and formulaic biopic template, with dynamic musical sequences providing energy. However, one-dimensional characters, hackneyed elements, and a complacent moral leave it feeling dynamic and formulaic in equal measure. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review-rocketman-is-dynamic-and-formulaic-in-equal-measure/) ## Little White Lies — Charles Bramesco Rating 2/2/1. 17 May 2019. The film is criticized as a formulaic, paint-by-numbers biopic full of troubled-genius clichés that drains humor from its subject. Musical numbers and costumes are noted as relative bright spots but overall execution is seen as lackluster. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/rocketman) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 31 May 2019. The film boils down to self-pitying recovery tropes and fails to shape a strong dramatic arc from its jukebox musical numbers, feeling synthetic and flat despite Egerton's performance. Literal levitation sequences and shallow characters deflate the experience compared to similar biopics. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/rocketman-2019-review-oh-no-no-no.html) ## NME — Olly Richards Rating 5/5. 22 May 2019. The review hails it as a wild, inventive, blissfully energetic musical full of imagination and exuberance, contrasting it favorably with Bohemian Rhapsody for being fearless and honest. Egerton's performance and the clever use of songs are highlighted. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/rocketman-film-review-a-hurricane-of-imagination-and-exuberance-2490731) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 28 May 2019. The critic calls the film warts-and-all honest, compelling and inventive, a full-out musical that merges Elton John songs into story-driving numbers closer to Moulin Rouge than a traditional biopic. It soars thanks to Taron Egerton's sensational, three-dimensional lead performance and its unflinching honesty. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/video/rocketman-elton-john-biopic-taron-egerton-dexter-fletcher/) ## /Film — Jason Gorber Rating 8.5/10. 17 May 2019. Festival review. Dexter Fletcher's vision creates an intoxicating musical that adheres to emotional truth over biographical precision, with Egerton's powerful voice and charismatic performance elevating the film throughout its strongest sections. The result is a cinematically rich celebration of Elton John that soars despite some pacing issues in the final act. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/566497/rocketman-review/) ## Film Stories — Simon Brew Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2019. Festival review. The film has ambition and makes bold choices, emerging as the best mainstream musical biopic in recent years through its heightened fantasy approach and effective use of the songbook to drive the narrative. Taron Egerton's committed central performance stands out as a career high. [Read the review](https://filmstories.co.uk/news/rocketman-review/) ## Collider — Gregory Ellwood Rating B+. 17 May 2019. Festival review. The critic praises Taron Egerton's captivating and transcendent lead performance while highlighting the inventive staging of the musical numbers. Some formulaic screenplay elements and clunky structure are noted as minor drawbacks. [Read the review](https://collider.com/rocketman-review-taron-egerton/) ## Den of Geek — Rosie Fletcher Rating 4/5. 21 May 2019. The critic praises it as a magical, unsanitised, weird, outrageous musical biopic that soars with its musical numbers and performances, particularly Taron Egerton's. They note it's better than Bohemian Rhapsody in its honesty and emotional depth. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/rocketman-review-a-magical-musical-that-soars/) ## HeyUGuys — Jo-Ann Titmarsh Rating 4/5. 19 May 2019. Festival review. Dexter Fletcher delivers an exuberant, honest biopic that gets beneath the sequins to show Elton John warts and all, using the songs to enhance autobiographical impact in a true musical format. Taron Egerton's star performance as the gifted, troubled genius anchors this triumphant film. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/rocketman-review/) ## The Wrap — Steve Pond Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 29 May 2019. The critic finds Dexter Fletcher’s film a grand, fun and corny musical fantasy that reaches for the sky and gets there often enough to be diverting but also frustrating, with a narrative that can feel like a melodramatic slog. It singles out the bold, extravagant approach freely mixing fantasy and reality, along with dazzling choreography and Taron Egerton’s fine singing and portrayal. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/rocketman-film-review-elton-john-gets-a-musical-fantasy-that-sometimes-achieves-liftoff/) ## The Ringer — Manuela Lazic Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 17 May 2019. The film is seen as dazzling yet derivative, with straightforward literal storytelling that avoids subtext and fails to fully transport viewers emotionally. It handles John's queerness directly but remains too controlled and sincere overall. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2019/05/17/movies/rocketman-elton-john-review-biopic-taron-egerton) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/rocketman.md