Rocketman Blu-ray Review

Rocketman, presented on Blu-ray by Paramount Pictures, boasts an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Shot on Arri Alexa cameras in 3.4k and transferred to a 2K Digital Intermediate, the video quality is impressive. The film employs a dual visual style: the vibrant fantasy sequences pop with bright colors and hallucinogenic fervor, while the more subdued "real life" scenes employ browns, teals, and golds to capture the essence of the 70s and 80s. Detail is faultless throughout, from the glittery costumes to nuanced beard stubble and Elton's receding hairline, although some bar scenes and less flamboyant moments do exhibit a slightly milky contrast.

The color accuracy is exceptionally well-executed. Elton John's flamboyant attire is delivered in stunning detail, with glitter, sequins, and feathers sharply rendered. Black levels are impressively deep and inky, contributing to a solid contrast without unintentional blooming. Whites are icy crisp and enhance the visual appeal of the more dramatic moments. This near-constant primary presence maintains visual interest throughout the film. Although the camera movement during musical sequences can limit fine detail observation, the transfer remains solid, making it an excellent choice for viewers not equipped with a 4K setup. Overall, Rocketman's Blu-ray presentation captures the opulent and multifaceted nature of the film beautifully.

The Dolby Atmos track on the "Rocketman" Blu-ray is nothing short of exceptional, rivalling the aural perfection found in "Bohemian Rhapsody." The audio presentation is the life of the party, with rich vocals that are resplendent whether in a bar or stadium setting. Dialogue remains impeccable throughout, ensuring clarity in every scene. The music of Elton John flows effortlessly among all channels, making full use of the surround sound system to envelop the audience completely. During the film’s fantastical sequences, crowd noises and cheers emanate from all directions, creating an immersive experience that places you in the heart of the musical narrative.

This Atmos mix is particularly effective in fantastically energetic musical sequences, leveraging all surround channels impressively. Even in introspective moments, the immersion is substantial; instrumentals and vocals waft through and around the soundstage with clear precision. Crowd noises at club and concert scenes spill impressively around and above the listener, enhancing the realism of these environments. Fidelity on the songs, primarily sung by Taron Egerton, is superbly reconstructed, with both musical accuracy and emotional depth. Dialogue remains clean and clear throughout, ensuring that it never gets lost amid the more dynamic audio elements.

Mirroring its 4K UHD Blu-ray counterpart, this disc's Dolby Atmos audio mix adeptly juxtaposes quiet conversational moments with explosive song-and-dance numbers. The LFE is light yet impactful, providing depth when necessary and enhancing scenes with nuanced low-end sounds. This mix doesn’t over-rely on overhead effects but uses them effectively for discrete panning and added immersion. This careful balancing ensures that the audio presentation retains its energy and dynamism without sacrificing clarity or subtlety.

The Blu-ray release of "Rocketman" offers a comprehensive suite of supplementary content that enhances the viewer's appreciation of the film. The extended musical numbers and deleted scenes stand out, each introduced by director Dexter Fletcher, providing valuable context and extra insights. Noteworthy is the meticulous coverage of pivotal areas such as production design, costuming, and the technicalities of staging musical numbers. The transition of Taron Egerton into Elton John is meticulously documented, offering privileged behind-the-scenes footage. Additionally, the disc contains substantial features focusing on the creative vision and studio sessions, alongside a sing-along lyric companion and a jukebox feature for direct access to musical sequences. This collection of extras is well-curated, reflecting the film's vibrant essence and historical homage.

Extras included in this disc:

• Extended Musical Numbers: Additional musical performances with optional director introduction.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Extra scenes not included in the final cut, with optional director introduction.
• It's Going to Be a Wild Ride: Creative Vision: Insights into the film's stylistic choices.
• Becoming Elton John: Taron's Transformation: Behind-the-scenes look at Taron Egerton's portrayal of Elton John.
• Larger Than Life: Production Design & Costuming: Focus on the distinctive visual style of the film.
• Full Tilt: Staging the Musical Numbers: Behind-the-scenes of musical number productions.
• Music Reimagined: The Studio Sessions: Inside the recording process with Taron and Elton.
• ROCKETMAN Lyric Companion: Sing-Along with Select Songs: Karaoke-style subtitles for select songs.
• ROCKETMAN Jukebox: Direct access to the film’s musical sequences.

"Rocketman", directed by Dexter Fletcher, is a flamboyant and genre-blurring biopic that chronicles the meteoric rise and tumultuous personal life of rock legend Elton John. From its dramatic opening in a rehab facility, where Taron Egerton's Elton recounts his life in a captivating AA meeting, the film intricately weaves together elements of fantasy and musical theatre. Egerton's transformative performance is undoubtedly the film's highlight, displaying both his acting prowess and admirable, though not quite Elton-level, singing abilities.

The narrative structure utilizes John’s own songs to reflect on pivotal moments, heightening the film's emotional resonance. This unconventional approach, while innovative, can occasionally disrupt the storyline’s flow and emotional gravity. The supporting cast, including Bryce Dallas Howard as Sheila Dwight and Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin, offer mixed performances, with Howard's portrayal of Elton's mother being particularly criticized for miscasting. Jamie Bell shines as Taupin, though his role, like many others, is dwarfed by Egerton's magnetic presence.

The film does not shy away from presenting a raw and unfiltered look at John's struggles with addiction, identity, and love. Yet, its reliance on elaborate musical numbers and fantasy sequences creates a disconnect that can make deep emotional engagement challenging. Some dialogue comes off as overly explicit in addressing Elton’s psychological traumas. Despite these missteps, the final act delivers a profoundly moving conclusion that beautifully aligns the film’s eclectic elements. Rated R for language, drug use, and sexual content, "Rocketman" endeavors to balance its flashiness with heartfelt storytelling, achieving varying degrees of success. Yet, Egerton’s standout performance ensures this musical biopic remains compelling throughout its vibrant and tumultuous trajectory.

"Rocketman" on Blu-ray is an engaging tribute to the legendary Elton John that hits the right notes both visually and sonically. Taron Egerton’s electrifying portrayal of Elton John delivers a performance full of charisma and energy, seamlessly capturing the essence of the iconic artist. The film skillfully blends biographical narrative with vibrant musical sequences, though it occasionally veers into melodrama. Nevertheless, it remains a thoroughly entertaining watch, courtesy of director Dexter Fletcher’s dynamic storytelling approach and Egerton’s commendable acting.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray edition boasts impressive video quality. The 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio presents a visually satisfying experience, with vivid colors and sharp detail that enhance the film’s flamboyant aesthetics. The audio is equally noteworthy, featuring a Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1) track that envelops viewers in an immersive soundscape, capturing both subtle and grand musical moments with pristine clarity. The disc also includes an array of languages and subtitle options, ensuring accessibility for a broad audience.

In conclusion, "Rocketman" is more than just a biopic; it is a celebration of Elton John’s remarkable life and career. While it doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of his journey, the film underscores the immense impact he has had on generations of music lovers. The Blu-ray release is highly recommended, offering not only top-notch audio-visual quality but also a set of worthwhile extras that add depth to the viewing experience. Whether you're an Elton John fan, a lover of musicals, or simply someone who enjoys a well-crafted film, "Rocketman" is certainly worth your time. Solid Watch is my personal recommendation.

Technical Specifications:

• Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard
• Directed by: Dexter Fletcher
• Written by: Lee Hall
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 AVC
• Audio: English: Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1), Spanish, French, Portuguese, Thai, Turkish DD 5.1
• Subtitles: English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, Hindi, Korean, Malay, Mandarin (Simplified), Thai
• Rated: R
• Runtime: 121 minutes
• Blu-Ray Release Date: August 27th, 2019

Recommendation: Solid Watch