"Rocketman" & "Pets 2" reviews

My husband and I have seen a couple movies in these first two weeks of summer – “Rocket Man” (the Elton John biopic) and “Pets 2.” Yes, we like a diverse selection of films.

Andrew thought it was a bit too self-indulgent for his liking and would have preferred to learn more about Elton John's music rather than all the crisis' he suffered throughout this life. I agree, but still mostly enjoyed it anyway.

I saw an interview on IMDB with some of the actors who were asked what was most surprising to them about Elton John:

Dallas Bryce Howard (who played Elton’s mum) said she didn’t realize he was a child prodigy. “It’s almost like as if Mozart was living today…someone essentially becoming a rock star and yet and they are an accomplished musician already.”

Taron Egerton (who played Elton John) said he was surprised by how shy he was as a young man. “…the transformation that someone can go through and how someone can go from being fairly timid to being 1975 Dodgers stadium there’s a great arc to that.”

Dexter Fletcher, the director, said he was a bit unsure of how far he could delve into certain things. But apparently Elton gave his blessing and said that nothing was off limits, which is obvious when you see the film.

(above from IMDB:

 https://www.imdb.com/list/ls064754641/videoplayer/vi181976089?ref_=tt_vd_jk_rm1_i_1)

“Even if the movie doesn’t make one penny…it’s the movie I wanted to make.” – Elton John introducing “Rocketman” at its Cannes Film Festival premiere (quote borrowed from June 3-10, 2019 issue of Time magazine).

"Bohemian Rhapsody" it is not, but still entertaining enough, especially if you like his music.  

Anyone who currently has or has ever had a cat or dog, or is just an animal lover, or someone with small children will definitely appreciate this movie. You can tell the writers and creators are obviously familiar with our four-legged friends as they nailed each and every trait or our beloved fur babies. In fact, this lesson is even brought to light when Chloe (a very pampered cat who blisses out on catnip in one scene) teaches Gidget (an equally spoiled dog who has a bit of a crush on Max) how to be a cat.

Everything from using a litterbox to no longer being interested in playing fetch to walking across your owner’s keyboard and destroying it by knocking a drink over onto it are covered in the lessons. I won’t give away why these lessons are necessary. You’ll have to see for yourself.

There are so many laugh out loud moments in this film that it’s difficult to cover them all. There are also many poignant moments, and at one point there was a collective “Awwww” from our audience of children and adults.

I can also say, that for a sequel, it was pretty good and not dependent on seeing the first one to be able to follow the plot (it’s been a couple years, so I certainly couldn’t remember who all the characters were).

Be sure to sit through at least the beginning of the credits as the film editor has included a few gems that are worth staying seated for, which is always a nice bonus (like the hilarious bit in the credits of “Ralph Wrecks the Internet” which is one of my all-time favorites when it comes to extras).

Next on the movie horizon for us will probably be “Yesterday,” (a sort of “what if” movie – in this case, what if no one but one person knows who the Beatles were?). Stay tuned…..