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Blu-Ray : Recommended
Ranking:
Release Date: August 27th, 2019 Movie Release Year: 2019

Rocketman

Overview -

Caaaaan youuuuu feel the Blu-raaaaaay toooonight!?! Rocketman cracks the rise, fall, and redemption of chart-topping superstar Elton John featuring terrific performances from Taron Egerton and Jamie Bell. The story follows the traditional biopic beats and the interrupting musical numbers may be a bit distracting for some, but it's an engaging flick with wild energy to burn. Paramount Pictures delivers a rocking-good Blu-ray with a great A/V presentation and some decent bonus features on backup. Whether or not you know much about the man or his music - you should have a treat with this one. Recommended. 

The story of Elton John's life, from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin.

"His music inspires you, his life will surprise you," Rocketman is a one-of-a-kind musical celebration set to Elton John's most beloved songs. Discover how a shy, small-town boy becomes one of the most iconic figures in rock & roll. Featuring an all-star cast, this truly spectacular and utterly electrifying ride is filled with show-stopping musical performances and is "unlike anything you've ever seen" (Jake Hamilton, WFLD-TV (FOX)).

OVERALL:
Recommended
Rating Breakdown
STORY
VIDEO
AUDIO
SPECIAL FEATURES
Tech Specs & Release Details
Technical Specs:
Blu-ray/DVD/Digital
Video Resolution/Codec:
1080p/AVC MPEG-4
Aspect Ratio(s):
2.39:1
Audio Formats:
English Dolby Atmos
Subtitles/Captions:
English SDH
Special Features:
ROCKETMAN Jukebox: Jump Straight to the Music
Release Date:
August 27th, 2019

Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take

Ranking:

Hold yourself closer tiny dancer and count the lights on the highway with Rocketman. Taron Egerton delivers a terrific performance as Elton John, costumes, drugs, warts and all. It's a hell of a wild show that doesn't sugarcoat the events to make the man look better. While I wasn't initially taken with how the film developed, I found my groove with the film's need for elaborate song and dance numbers. I wasn't much of a fan of Bohemian Rhapsody, but I found myself thoroughly entertained with Rocketman by the time the closing credits rolled. For my full review - take a look at our coverage of the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

Rocketman lives large on Blu-ray thanks to a two-disc Blu-ray + DVD + Digital set from Paramount Pictures. The discs are housed in a two-disc case with identical slipcover artwork. The disc loads to trailers for other Paramount home releases before arriving at an animated main menu with traditional navigation options. 

Video Review

Ranking:

Rocketman makes a show of things with a splashy 1080p 2.40:1 transfer! From the get-go, the film is all about costumes and color. Elton was certainly well known for his flashy costumes and lifestyle and this disc brings that imagery to the screen in fine form. Details are spot on, fine facial features, beard stubble, Elton's slowly receding hairline are all on display. The costumes are the main stand out allowing for all the glitter, sequins, and feathers to shine. Colors pop off the screen at virtually every turn allowing for a near-constant primary presence. Black levels and contrast are also on point with icey crisp whites without any unintentional blooming and some deep inky shadows that stay well out of crush range. If you're not 4K ready, this is a damn fine transfer that serves the film well. 

Audio Review

Ranking:

This disc is blessed with the same impressive Dolby Atmos audio mix as its 4K UHD Blu-ray sibling, which I loved for the way it juxtaposed quiet conversational moments with booming song-and-dance numbers. Check out our 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray coverage for a full review of the Atmos audio mix. 

Special Features

Ranking:

Rocketman comes loaded with some pretty decent bonus features. A lot of it is typical EPK stuff, but the content is pretty good. There's a lot to pick through here and should keep you occupied for a bit - especially if you're a fan of the man and the movie. 

  • Extended Musical Numbers (HD 14:48)

  • Deleted and Extended Scenes (HD 19:39)

  • It's Going to be a Wild Ride: Creative Vision (HD 7:08)

  • Becoming Elton John:  Taron's Transformation (HD 6:52)

  • Larger Than Life (HD 8:55)

  • Full Tilt (HD 10:09)

  • Music Reimagined (HD 11:33)

  • Rocketman Lyric Companion with Optional Sing-Along (HD 35:44)

  • Rocketman Jukebox (HD 52:49)

If you love Elton John or song-and-dance musicals or biopics, Rocketman delivers all three in one! Great performances splash across the screen with infectious energy. Paramount Pictures delivers a solid Blu-ray release with a flashy video transfer and a cracking-good Dolby Atmos mix along with some worthwhile bonus features. If you're a fan not looking to go 4K anytime soon, you won't be disappointed. Recommended.