Last Updated on July 30, 2021
In the midst of summer blockbuster season where one massive movie is coming out one right after the other like the world’s most expensive parade, Paramount has been hoping ROCKETMAN will cut through the clutter. The movie screened for the first time at Cannes last night, and the first reactions from critics and journalists who got to see it hint that the movie should have no trouble winning over audiences looking for both an entertaining musical and a potential awards season player.
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The movie screened out of competition during the festival, and word from the reactions is that the movie received a four-minute standing ovation, with star Taron Egerton moved to tears. IndieWire’s Anne Thompson noted in her reaction that even the movie was getting cheers while it was playing, with the rendition of “Your Song” getting applause. On the whole, critics have been praising the use of songs in this blend of the standard biopic and musical fantasy, with glowing reviews showered on Egerton, who many think could be in serious awards contention for his captivating work as John. While the Oscars are always a tough nut to crack, the Golden Globes could be primed for a heavy ROCKETMAN presence.
Not every critic has been blown away, like Peter Bradshaw and Eric Kohn, the latter saying “don’t hold your breath” if you’re looking for a great John biopic, all before giving points to the music. As for other reviews, the first batch has hit Rotten Tomatoes, and the movie has a strong 94% with 16 reviews, which will work in the movie’s favor when it hits theaters two weeks from today.
Take a look at some of the reactions below.
Taron Egerton is crying at the end of #Rocketman. #Cannes2019 pic.twitter.com/JdMeuFlZWB
— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) May 16, 2019
Huge standing O for Taron Egerton at the #Rocketman premiere pic.twitter.com/F5KZrgxSmm
— Tatiana Siegel (@TatianaSiegel27) May 16, 2019
Hot damn, Taron Egerton is the real deal. #Rocketman is a musical about picking yourself up off your ass and Taron delivers the sweat, grit and vulnerability it needs.
— Rebecca Keegan (@ThatRebecca) May 16, 2019
“Rocketman” is fantastic, a musical drama that hits all the right notes, especially the sad ones. #Cannes19
— Stuart Oldham (@s_oldham) May 16, 2019
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Taron Edgerton is absolutely brilliant, wow #Rocketman #Cannes19
— Stuart Oldham (@s_oldham) May 16, 2019
Pleasantly surprised that ROCKETMAN does not skimp on the gay sex, but the gayest thing about the movie is still Taron Edgerton insisting he’s fat when he isn’t
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) May 16, 2019
I’m not an objective viewer but I really enjoyed #Rocketman. It’s a lovely tribute to Elton’s partnership with Bernie & the fantastical tone suits his life perfectly. Oscar chances hinge on reviews & biz, but as a true musical it’s a great bet for picture & actor at the Globes. pic.twitter.com/e1AlNsqfvf
— Dave Karger (@davekarger) May 16, 2019
Dexter Fletcher’s Rocketman is a good-natured biopic-slash-jukebox-musical with Taron Egerton gamely doing a middleweight impersonation, more comfortable with the lighter side, better at the tiaras than the tantrums. Review later #Cannes2019 #Cannes72 #Cannes
— Peter Bradshaw (@PeterBradshaw1) May 16, 2019
Dexter Fletcher’s sexy dramatic and poignant Rocketman is an ambitious full-on bio musical with 20 songs—This Is Your Song got applause— sung by star Taron Egerton in a breakout performance. Watch for it to follow boffo global box office with a run on a roadway!
— Anne Thompson (@akstanwyck) May 16, 2019
Richard Madden is swaggeringly hot as Elton John’s manager John Reid who was also the villain in Bohemian Rhapsody. He really would make a great James Bond. #rocketman
— Anne Thompson (@akstanwyck) May 16, 2019
If you were wondering what a great Elton John biopic looks like, don’t hold your breath. But at least ROCKETMAN doesn’t skimp on the music. #cannes
— erickohn (@erickohn) May 16, 2019
ROCKETMAN also stars Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard and more and is in theaters May 31.
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