I had the unique experience of going into Rocketman not knowing it was a musical, but I was not disappointed to find this out. This movie is a great example of how to do a fantastic biopic, as it really does something different with it.

This movie deserved so much better that it was given. Not only did Taron Egerton give some of the best renditions of Elton John's music that have even been recorded, but the thoughtful, unflinching exploration of the singer at his best and worst is a sight to behold. It doesn't try to glorify John and is unafraid to show when he is consumed by fame, and Madden excells at playing a truly repulsive schemer. Pair this with sprawling, beautiful musical numbers that have to be seen on the big screen, and Rocketman may be one of the best biopics produced.

Musical biopics so often hit all the same beats, in the exact same order, that you could set a watch by them. Rocketman at least tries to buck the trend by telling Elton John's story in a discontinuous manner, framed as a story he tells in rehab. Fantastical elements help punctuate a story that's bigger than life, and Taron Egerton actually gives an amazing performance that evokes John without doing an impersonation.