Movie Review

Fantastical Rocketman shows reality of Elton John's musical impact

Most biopics tend to follow the same format no matter the person or people being profiled. Filmmakers, focusing on either a small or large chunk of the person’s life, go chronologically through that person’s accomplishments to try to demonstrate his or her full depth. This is especially true with music biopics, as the natural rise and fall of singers/bands is an easy way to build drama.

Rocketman, which tells the story of singer Elton John (Taron Egerton), upends those expectations from minute one. The film does move chronologically in a way, but it’s structured so that it never feels like director Dexter Fletcher and writer Lee Hall are just ticking boxes off a checklist. Using a fictional Alcoholics Anonymous meeting which John is attending, the film has him tell the story of his own life, dropping in on key moments over the course of at least 40 years.

More importantly, the filmmakers infuse the film with John’s songs from the beginning, making the movie into more of a musical than merely a film with John’s music in it. Different songs are used to emphasize certain moments of John’s life, with multiple characters, including John’s mom (Bryce Dallas Howard), father (Steven Mackintosh), songwriting partner Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell), and manager John Reid (Richard Madden), singing along.

This method also helps to dispel any fears about Egerton’s voice not living up to John’s iconic sound. By the time he sings for the first time, the film has already established that anyone could sing, so it doesn’t really matter whether Egerton sounds like John or not. That said, he does his level best to emulate John, and his mellifluous voice proves to be a boon for the film.

Befitting the musical feel of the film, fantasy elements are layered upon more realistic scenes throughout the film. Dance sequences, special effects, and more crop up to enhance both happy and sad moments of John’s life, to the point that you’re never sure what Fletcher and his team will do next.

One of the best moments comes during John’s first performance at The Troubadour in Los Angeles when he sings “Crocodile Rock.” It’s not something to be taken literally — John played The Troubadour for the first time in 1970, while “Crocodile Rock” didn’t come out until 1973 — but the way the film shows John’s elation in connecting with an audience is about as magical a moment as could be captured on film.

Not everything works as well as that, though. No matter the particulars of John’s life, the film relies a bit too much on the stereotypical booze and drugs life of a rock star. It also doesn’t have any real insights on the hardships of John’s life, including his difficult relationship with his parents or living life as a gay man at a time when he wasn’t free to live openly.

Egerton never fully disappears into the role of John, but he’s fantastic throughout, fully living up to the singer’s outsized personality onstage and his somewhat tortured life offstage. Bell makes the most of his limited time onscreen, showing what a true friend and partner Taupin has been for John. Howard was a curious choice to play John’s mother, as her over-the-top accent is distracting whenever she makes an appearance.

Rocketman doesn’t follow the conventions of most music biopics, and it’s all the better for it. Despite containing mostly snippets of John’s biggest hits, it’s a full-on celebration of the singer’s life and the impact he’s had on music lovers around the world. You can also probably start counting the days until the film is adapted into an actual Broadway musical.

Taron Egerton in Rocketman.

Taron Egerton in Rocketman

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Taron Egerton in Rocketman.

weekend event planner

These are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

Jim Gaffigan

Photo by Alan Gastelum

See Jim Gaffigan in The Woodlands this weekend.

Saturday is Free Comic Book Day, which means fanboys all around the city will be hitting all the comics stores, scooping up free titles. Over at the “Feed the Force” Community Food Drive, held by the Star Wars Enthusiasts of Houston at the Regal Edwards Houston Marq*E, attendees will find a food drive, free comic books, cosplay and photo ops, raffle prizes, giveaways, activities, and more.

Elsewhere in H-Town, this weekend offers a lot of cinema, a lot of comedy, and a couple Disney-related happenings (including one that’s tied to AAPI Heritage Month). Read on for this weekend's best bets.

Thursday, April 30

Family Houston presents 2nd Annual Laughing Matters Gala
Family Houston presents the second annual Laughing Matters Gala, featuring comedian/SNL alumnus/former co-host of the MTV game show Remote Control (that’s where we first saw him) Colin Quinn. It's an evening where laughter meets purpose — raising critical funds for mental health counseling, financial stability coaching, and community support services, while breaking down the stigma around mental health in a way that only comedy can. 6 pm.

Laura Rathe Fine Art Houston presents "Beneath the Surface" opening reception
Laura Rathe Fine Art presents "Beneath the Surface," a group exhibition featuring KX2, Audra Weaser, and Sydney Yeager. The show brings together women artists at pivotal stages in their careers, each navigating a challenging art world while pushing the boundaries of visual language and artistic practice. The exhibition explores what unites them: curiosity, experimentation, and the perseverance required to sustain meaningful creative work. Through Sunday, May 31. 6 pm.

Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center presents Joe Alterman: “The Sounds of Jewish America”
The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center presents acclaimed jazz pianist Joe Alterman in “The Sounds of Jewish America” at the Merfish Teen Center. Throughout the 20th century, Jewish people have always contributed to American popular music, from Irving Berlin to Carole King. Part performance, part storytelling, Alterman shares timeless American music with fascinating Jewish stories, woven into exploring the vibrant intersection of Jewish heritage and American music that defines a cultural legacy. 7:30 pm.

Friday, May 1

East River presents Beats on the Bayou
Beats on the Bayou returns to East River’s Bayou Park with live music, good vibes, and bayou-side views. Enjoy a genre-blending set from Midnight Navy, the Austin-based singer-songwriter, producer and saxophonist whose sound fuses Chicano indie soul, alternative R&B, and jazzy grooves, creating a smooth, laid-back vibe along the water. Houston favorite DJ Ortiz keeps the energy up between sets with his open-format, turntablist style—mixing hip-hop, R&B, Latin, and dance tracks that get all ages moving. 6 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Five Funny Films and Rice Cinema presents Houston Palestine Film Festival
All weekend long, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and Rice Cinema will hit local moviegoers with some international cinema. Over at MFAH, the 12th annual Five Funny French Films series returns with a new and fresh lineup of five comedies from France. Not that far away, Rice Cinema will present the 19th annual Houston Palestine Film Festival, showcasing seven features and eight shorts that are all about Palestinian culture. 7 pm and 6:30 pm.

Raye in concert
28-year-old British singer/songwriter Raye is only two albums deep (her second album This Music May Contain Hope dropped last month) and she’s already killing it. Her boisterous 2025 single "Where is My Husband!" went platinum in the U.S. and double-platinum in Australia and the United Kingdom. Now, she’s on her This Tour May Contain New Music world tour, making a stop at the 713 Music Hall. 7 pm.

Houston Grand Opera presents Messiah
These are but a few of the arresting images from Robert Wilson’s vision of the beloved Messiah, composed by Handel and arranged by Mozart. The director’s production will be staged in the U.S.for the first time at Houston Grand Opera. In Wilson’s hands, Messiah — a narrative-free meditation on Jesus’ role as the Christian messiah, originally conceived for concert halls — transforms into a surreal and mesmerizing theatrical spectacle reminiscent of Disney’s Fantasia. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Saturday, May 2

First Saturday Arts Market
The First Saturday Arts Market wraps up the first half of its 2026 season with fine art from three dozen juried artists, Vivre Coffee Collective, and live music by Wendy Elizabeth Jones. Visitors will find artists with paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, and more art mediums. A food truck is always on site, and local singer/songwriters can often be found providing entertainment. It’s a fun, welcoming community celebration of Houston creativity that returns in September. 11 am.

Rooftop Cinema Club presents Lilo & Stitch
Gather the family and head to Rooftop Cinema Club for a fun-filled afternoon honoring AAPI culture. Rooftop will be celebrating this by screening the 2002 Disney favorite Lilo & Stitch. Arrive when the doors open at 1:30 pm for island-themed crafts and a mini-hula show. It’s the ultimate family-friendly outing full of sunshine, movie magic and plenty of ohana spirit. Classic movie snacks and beverages are all available for purchase. 3 pm.

A Taste of Cy-Fair
A Taste of Cy-Fair will feature offerings from dozens of local restaurants, celebrating the very best of Cy-Fair and Houston’s culinary scene. Attendees will enjoy samples of dishes and treats from favorites like Alicia's Mexican Grille, Connie's Ice Cream, Dario's Steakhouse and Seafood, Tiff's Treats, The Backyard Grill, Las Mananitas Mexican Restaurant, and more. Additionally, guests can sip on a wide variety of wines and sample dozens of craft beers. The event will also feature live music, a market, and a silent auction. 4 pm.

Jim Gaffigan: Everything is Wonderful
Saturday is gonna be a stacked night of stand-up comedy around the city. Leading the charge is Jim Gaffigan, that Hot Pockets enthusiast, coming to The Woodlands as part of his Everything is Wonderful! tour, featuring all-new material. The comedian/actor/producer/two-time New York Times best-selling author is known around the world for his unique brand of humor, which largely revolves around his observations on life. His 11th special, The Skinny, premiered on Hulu in 2024. 7:30 pm.

Sunday, May 3

J-Bar-M Barbecue presents Cinco de Mayo Celebration
J-Bar-M Barbecue is celebrating Cinco de Mayo early with a high-energy event, featuring a live-fire Carne Asada Throwdown, live music, and a full day of cultural programming in Houston’s East End. The event will feature a Carne Asada competition with talented local chefs, judged by a panel of respected voices in the food community, to spotlight Houston’s growing Chicano barbecue scene and the city’s rich culinary influences. Houston artist The Real LOW-G will host and debut his new michelada mix, offering attendees an exclusive first taste. 11 am.

Jim Gaffigan

Photo by Alan Gastelum

See Jim Gaffigan in The Woodlands this weekend.

Asia Society Texas presents “Past, Present, Premiere”: An AAPI Celebration With Trio Menil
Asia Society Texas presents Trio Menil for a concert celebrating music by AAPI composers. Trio Menil is a versatile ensemble performing in both concert halls and classrooms across North America. The family-friendly classical performance will feature works written especially for Trio Menil, beloved classical favorites, and recent hits from Studio Ghibli and K-Pop Demon Hunters. The program will culminate with the world premiere of a new work by Chinese-Australian composer Sam Wu. 2 pm.

Houston Symphony presents Toy Story in Concert
Toy Story will always be the 1995 family classic that introduced the world to Pixar and officially set off the computer-animated feature revolution. The Houston Symphony will present Toy Story in Concert, featuring a screening of the groundbreaking film with Oscar/Grammy-winning composer Randy Newman’s musical score performed live to the film. The concert will be conducted by Houston Symphony Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke. 2 pm (7:30 pm Saturday).

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