birmingham, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 11/08/2019 05:51 PMReported by: Film Critic
    Plot: A fantastical portrayal of the life of Sir Elton John.

    While there are a lot of Elton John songs that I really like, I wouldn't call myself a fan.


    For the last 50 years, John has risen to become quite an titan within the music industry and has occasionally dipped his toes into the film world. Most notably composing the songs for The Lion King and most recently having a cameo in Kingsman: The Golden Circle.


    As for this biopic, I was certainly up for seeing it. I felt Taron Edgerton was a good bit of castings. Particularly for his efforts in singing 'I'm Still Standing' in the enjoyable animated film 'Sing'. Plus, his transformation in becoming Eddie The Eagle gave me confidence that he can become Sir Elton.
    Also with Dexter Fletcher at the helm, I felt confident in the route this film would be going. After coming in to finish off the production of Bohemian Rhapsody with great success, I was intrigued to see what Fletcher does with a similar topic for the entire production.


    From the very beginning, you can see Fletcher's intentions and how he wants to portray this story and it ended up being a strong and feel-good viewing experience. Having the added mix of fantasy sequences with the biopic aspect certainly felt fitting for a personality like Elton John. It certainly enhanced pretty much every part of Elton's story and gave us many memorable scenes.
    One bit that surprised me was that despite the trailer never really suggesting this, the film was more like a musical then anything else. That certainly had me changing my approach and there were some wonderful musical set-pieces that I feel were some of the best within the genre for the last few decades.


    The acting side was pretty strong. For a film like this to work, you need your titular character to a big strength and Taron Edgerton pulls it off so well. While he may not have the voice of Elton John, there was enough in his style to have enough authenticity in there. For me, Edgerton's biggest strength was the portrayal of his character at his lowest point and during his memorable 'queeny strops' that John was known for having.
    While Edgerton may get all the plaudits, the rest of the cast gave performances that I feel could compete with the leading role. Jamie Bell did a great job as songwriter Bernie Taupin. The chemistry with Edgerton was constantly strong, well developed and completely engaging and believable.
    There was quite a transformation from Bryce Dallas Howard, which too me a while to realise that it was actually her. The accent was very convincing and was a good support. I was certainly not prepared to see her in the cast list.
    I'll give a mention to Richard Madden, who while was perfectly fine, I still feel he is a TV actor rather than a film actor. I hope he makes the transition. But for me, he hasn't quite done it yet.


    With it being a film about Elton John, the costumes need to be up to scratch. They were certainly great to look at and just maintained the high level of authenticity. It would not surprise me if the costume department got an Oscar nomination.
    Other technical aspects that I felt were very positive was the cinematography, the production design and the editing. The energy of the camera movement was great to see when required. It also let the acting set the scene and just have the camera take a step back at the right times.
    As mentioned before, the general look of it fitted the tone perfectly and the look of the time period was on point throughout.
    When it comes to the editing, it doesn't become noticeable to me. But when a film is mixing in biopic, musical and fantasy all into one, the transition between all three was only noticeable for me, but done really well and managde to merge all of those genres into one and make it a great watch.


    I don't really any negative to speak of. I think not being a hardcore Elton John fan is what is preventing from going any higher with my rating.
    So that alone should prove how really good this was. The story was well told and portrayed. For such a unique and expressive character, the tone that was chosen was ideal. The performances all round worked really well and the execution of the songs certainly made me want to discover John's entire back catalogue.
    For my expectations to be in the biopic mindset and end up being more of a musical one, the film caught me off guard, but almost instantly had me settled in for a highly enjoyable cinematic experience that I would happily re-visit when it's available to buy.
    This film really works whether you are a fan of the subject matter or not. Seeing this will certainly make people think what Bohemian Rhapsody would have been if Fletcher was director for the entire production run.


    Rating: 8/10
     

  2. Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Birmingham / West Midlands
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Birmingham



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
birminghambirmingham News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
birmingham Bathroom Suppliesbirmingham Bathroom Tapsbirmingham Bathroom Furniturebirmingham Bathroom Showersbirmingham Shower Enclosuresbirmingham Bathsbirmingham L Shaped Bathbirmingham P Shaped Bathbirmingham Wet Roomsbirmingham Bath Screensbirmingham Bath Mixer Tapbirmingham Bidet Tapsbirmingham Toilet Seatsbirmingham Sanitarywarebirmingham Combined Toilet Basinbirmingham Stovesbirmingham Wood Stovesbirmingham Home Stovesbirmingham Cooker Stovesbirmingham Enamel Stovesbirmingham Designer Stovesbirmingham Contemporary Stovesbirmingham Multi Fuel Stovesbirmingham Accounts Softwarebirmingham Sage Softwarebirmingham Sage Line 50birmingham Sage Line 200birmingham Pegasus Accountsbirmingham Access Accountsbirmingham Car Servicingbirmingham MOTgbirmingham Tyresbirmingham Car Batterybirmingham Exhaustbirmingham Journalist Jobsbirmingham Reporter Jobsbirmingham Writing Jobsbirmingham Freelance Writerbirmingham Self Employed Jobsbirmingham Franchise Businessbirmingham Franchise Opportunitiesbirmingham Driving Schoolsbirmingham Driving Lessonsbirmingham Driving Testbirmingham Driving Theory Testbirmingham Driving Instruction, 0000 birmingham Driving Instructor, 0000 birmingham Insolvencybirmingham Insolvency Servicebirmingham Insolvency Servicesbirmingham Liquidation Servicebirmingham Business Recoverybirmingham Insolvency Practitionerbirmingham Bankruptcy Servicebirmingham Winding Up Petitionbirmingham Business Financebirmingham Business Recoverybirmingham Voluntary Arrangementbirmingham Individual Voluntary Arrangementbirmingham IVAbirmingham Debt Advicebirmingham Debt Managementbirmingham Company Administrationbirmingham Administrationbirmingham Corporate Recoverybirmingham Corporate Voluntary Arrangementbirmingham CVAbirmingham Corporate Insolvencybirmingham Corporate Liquidationbirmingham Members Voluntary Liquidationbirmingham MVLbirmingham Partnership Voluntary Arrangementbirmingham PVAbirmingham Tax Demandbirmingham Invoice Financebirmingham Bridging Financebirmingham Vouchersbirmingham Dealsbirmingham Matalanbirmingham Firewoodbirmingham Fire Woodbirmingham Kiln Dried Hardwoodbirmingham Logs For Salebirmingham Log Suppliesbirmingham Logsbirmingham Firewood Logsbirmingham Seasoned Logsbirmingham Hardwood Logsbirmingham Firewood Suppliersbirmingham Firewood Log Suppliersbirmingham Firewood Dumpy Bagsbirmingham Firewood Cratesbirmingham Cheap Firewoodbirmingham Homefire Logsbirmingham Cheap Firewood Logsbirmingham Kindle Conesbirmingham Pizza Oven Logsbirmingham Heating Oilbirmingham Home Heating Oilbirmingham Red Dieselbirmingham White Dieselbirmingham Keresenebirmingham Commercial Fuelsbirmingham Calor Gasbirmingham Propane Gasbirmingham Butane Gasbirmingham Heating Gasbirmingham Horse Trainingbirmingham Horse Trainerbirmingham Horse Whispererbirmingham Equine Whispererbirmingham Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithbirmingham Rattan Garden Furniturebirmingham Rattan Furniturebirmingham Rattan Sofabirmingham Rattan Dining Setbirmingham Rattan Directbirmingham Cheap Rattan Furniturebirmingham Rattan Corner Sofasbirmingham Rattan Day Bedsbirmingham Rattan Sun Loungersbirmingham Rattan Cube Setsbirmingham Rattan Bistro Setsbirmingham Chimeneasbirmingham Firepitsbirmingham Patio Heatersbirmingham Card Payments Processingbirmingham Credit Card Processingbirmingham Merchant Servicesbirmingham Merchant Accountbirmingham Merchant Paymentsbirmingham Card Machinesbirmingham Card Terminalsbirmingham Online Paymentsbirmingham Worldpaybirmingham Bouncy Castlesbirmingham Bouncy Castle Hirebirmingham Garden Trampolinesbirmingham Pramsbirmingham Pushchairsbirmingham Strollersbirmingham Hauck Pramsbirmingham Huackbirmingham Childrens Trampolinesbirmingham Baby Mobilesbirmingham Baby Activity Matsbirmingham Baby Bedroom Furniturebirmingham Childrens Bedroom Furniturebirmingham Hygiene Vendingbirmingham Washroom Vendingbirmingham Air Freshenersbirmingham Air Carebirmingham Aerosol Systemsbirmingham Gel Systemsbirmingham Water Savingbirmingham Urinal Water Savingbirmingham Eco Capsbirmingham Sensaflushbirmingham Water Managementbirmingham Urinal Dosingbirmingham Urinal V Screensbirmingham Legionella Risk Assessmentbirmingham Legionaires Bacterialbirmingham Odour Controlbirmingham Odour Eliminationbirmingham Odour Removalbirmingham Airsterilbirmingham Hand Carebirmingham Hand Creambirmingham Hand Soapbirmingham Hand Washingbirmingham Hand Dryingbirmingham Hand Dryersbirmingham Electric Hand Dryersbirmingham Fast Hand Dryersbirmingham Commercial Hand Dryersbirmingham Energy Efficient Hand Dryersbirmingham Hand Dryer Rentalbirmingham Hand Dryer Salesbirmingham Paper Towelsbirmingham Roller Towelsbirmingham Cotton Roller Towelsbirmingham Blue Roller Towelsbirmingham White Roller Towelsbirmingham Janitorial Suppliesbirmingham Janitorialbirmingham Cleaning Suppliesbirmingham Cleaning Productsbirmingham Cleaning Equipmentbirmingham Office Cleaningbirmingham Home Cleaningbirmingham Debt Recovery Servicesbirmingham Debt Recoverybirmingham Debt Collectionbirmingham Outsource Credit Controlbirmingham Collection Agencybirmingham Debt Collection Agencybirmingham Commercial Canopybirmingham Steel Canopybirmingham Bike Shedsbirmingham Bike Storagebirmingham Bicycle Storebirmingham Bicycle Storagebirmingham Bikes Storebirmingham Bike Storebirmingham Outdoor Canopybirmingham Cycle Sheltersbirmingham Cycle Shedbirmingham Cycle Storagebirmingham Cycle Rackbirmingham Cycle Compoundbirmingham Cycle Solutionsbirmingham Scooter Storagebirmingham Scooter Shelterbirmingham Canopiesbirmingham Canopybirmingham Play Area Canopybirmingham Entrance Canopiesbirmingham Entrance Canopybirmingham Waiting Shelterbirmingham Smoking Shelterbirmingham Parent Waiting Shelterbirmingham Parent Shelterbirmingham Teen Shelterbirmingham Nursery Canopybirmingham School Canopybirmingham Play Canopybirmingham Envirolawnbirmingham Astroturfbirmingham Cheap Astroturfbirmingham Artificial Grassbirmingham Cheap Artificial Grassbirmingham Astro Turfbirmingham Artificial Lawnbirmingham Fake Grassbirmingham Fake Lawnbirmingham Fire Stove Glassbirmingham Heat Resistant Glassbirmingham Fire Glassbirmingham Stove Glassbirmingham Fire Resistant Glassbirmingham Replacement Stove Glassbirmingham Glass For Stovesbirmingham Spill Kitsbirmingham Spill Control Kitsbirmingham Spill Kit Refillsbirmingham Spill Kit Refill GK6birmingham Chemical Spill Kitsbirmingham Oil Spill Kitsbirmingham Solar Panelsbirmingham Solar Panels Costbirmingham Solar Heatingbirmingham Solar PVbirmingham Commercial Solarbirmingham Photovoltaicbirmingham Dust Matsbirmingham Entrance Matsbirmingham Reception Matsbirmingham Anti Fatigue Matsbirmingham Floor Matsbirmingham Logo Matsbirmingham Washroom Servicesbirmingham Principal Washroomsbirmingham Washrooms Suppliesbirmingham Washrooms Solutionsbirmingham Sanitary Disposalbirmingham Sanitary Binsbirmingham Sani Binsbirmingham Lady Binsbirmingham Feminine Hygiene Unitsbirmingham Sanitary Waste Disposalbirmingham Sanitary Wastebirmingham Sanitary Unitsbirmingham Feminine Unitsbirmingham Hygiene Servicesbirmingham Sanitary Bin Supplierbirmingham Sanitary Bin Rentalbirmingham Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesbirmingham General Wastebirmingham Trade Wastebirmingham Commercial Wastebirmingham Business Wastebirmingham Waste Managementbirmingham Waste Collectionbirmingham Cardboard Wastebirmingham Paper Wastebirmingham Plastic Wastebirmingham Glass Wastebirmingham Biomass Wastebirmingham Metal Wastebirmingham Confidential Wastebirmingham Confidential Waste Servicebirmingham On Site Shreddingbirmingham Off Site Shreddingbirmingham One Off Shreddingbirmingham Contract Shreddingbirmingham Dental Wastebirmingham Dental Waste Disposalbirmingham Dental Waste Legislationbirmingham Dental Waste Compliancebirmingham Accupuncture Wastebirmingham Accupuncture Waste Disposalbirmingham Accupuncture Waste Collectionbirmingham Tattoo Wastebirmingham Tattoo Waste Disposalbirmingham Sharps Binbirmingham Sharps Collectionbirmingham Hazardous Sharpsbirmingham Non Hazardous Sharpsbirmingham Cytotoxic Sharpsbirmingham Cytostatic Sharpsbirmingham Ink Blockbirmingham Wet_Wastebirmingham Tattoo Inkbirmingham Drug Destructionbirmingham Drug Disposalbirmingham Drug Denaturingbirmingham Unwanted Drugsbirmingham Out Of Date Drugsbirmingham Pest Controlbirmingham Rodent Controlbirmingham Bird Controlbirmingham Bird Proofingbirmingham Guano Controlbirmingham Pest Call Outbirmingham Pest Preventionbirmingham Pest Deterrentbirmingham Nursery Wastebirmingham Nappy Wastebirmingham Nappy Binbirmingham Nappy Disposalbirmingham Nappy Wheelie Binbirmingham Nursery Waste Disposalbirmingham Nursery Waste Collectionbirmingham Incontinence Padsbirmingham Offensive Wastebirmingham Human Wastebirmingham Nursing Home Wastebirmingham Care Home Wastebirmingham Hazardous Wastebirmingham Infectous Wastebirmingham Pharmaceutical Wastebirmingham Medicinal Wastebirmingham Medicine Wastebirmingham Infection Controlbirmingham Hand Sanitisersbirmingham Clinical Waste Disposalbirmingham Clinical Waste Managementbirmingham Clinical Waste Policybirmingham EA Registrationbirmingham Hammocksbirmingham Garden Hammocksbirmingham Adult Hammocksbirmingham Childrens Hammocksbirmingham Baby Hammocks