Rocketman UK release date, who’s in the cast with Richard Madden and what have the critics said about the movie?

ROCKETMAN, the critically acclaimed biopic about Elton John, has finally hit the big screen and fans are absolutely loving every minute of the thrilling motion picture.

Critics have raved over its intriguing storytelling to the all-star casting, giving the thought that this movie will be a strong contender at next year's Oscars. Here's everything you need to know...

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What have critics said about the film?

The Sun's Dan Wootton gave the film five stars, calling it an "old fashioned musical with superb songs and goosebump-inducing acting".

Tipping it for a Best Picture nomination, he explained: "It’s little wonder the main man has cancelled a gig that clashes with next year’s Oscars."

writer Geoffrey Mcnab notes that the movie definitely tackles some of Elton's darkest moments of his life, but that these are filmed by director Dexter Fletcher in a ”very flamboyant fashion” that ”manages to leaven matters with some ironic humour”.

He adds that the musical numbers feel like sequences to "whisk his way through episodes in Elton John's life", which Geoffrey deems as a standout choice for this particular film.

Robbie Collin from awarded the flick with an astounding five full stars, saying that people shouldn't even dare to compare the film to other biopics.

He describes the motion picture to be "a heart-racing, toe-tapping, all-glitter-cannons-blazing triumph on its own terms".

Rocketman has been heavily compared to the Queen biographical film Bohemian Rhapsody, which ended up grossing over £705 million at the global box office.

Critics do point out, however, that the similarity in both movies could very well come from the fact that both were directed by Fletcher.

The talented Hollywood star took on Rhapsody midway through filming after its previous director Bryan Singer was forced to pull out of working on the project any further.

David Rooney from gushed: “As a fantasia on the making of Elton John, Rocketman at the very least commits wholeheartedly to its flashy eccentricity, and for many, that will be more than fun enough”.

Despite positive reviews concerning the movie's rollout, 's Peter Debruge thinks otherwise.

He writes that the film "seems mostly preoccupied with the surface idea of Elton: the outrageous wardrobe, the spectacular showmanship, and his relatively unusual status as an openly gay megastar”.

In his opinion, behind the fantastic visuals and over-the-top costumes is a story that doesn't tackle deep on matters concerning Elton's personal life which, therefore, makes the narrative seem anything but authentic.

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When was Rocketman released?

Rocketman started its run in UK cinemas on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.

Venom star Tom Hardy was previously attached to the role but he revealed to The Sun that he struggled with the prospect of singing.

"I'm not a singer. I have no idea really. I'm really trying because of Rocketman but it's hard to open my mouth in that way."

He added: "I'm not really drawn towards singing and musicals and that stuff. I did some rap when I was a kid but I'm somebody's dad now so it wouldn't be too cool to crack that out!"

The fantasy musical explores Elton John's life from his early days at the Royal Academy of Music through his rise to music superstardom in the 1970s.

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What does Elton John think about the movie?

We can assume that Elton is a fan of the movie since he along with hubbie David Furnish are both producers.

Plus he even jetted out to the French Riviera to support the cast bringing his biopic to life - posing and smiling at the photocall at the Cannes Film Festival.

Speaking about lead actor Taron Egerton, Elton gushed to Apple Music's Beats 1 radio:

"For those of you who don't know, in 'Rocketman' I don't sing anything. Taron has recorded, re-recorded, all the songs that are in the movie, and sings them quite brilliantly."

He said: "It's not Bohemian Rhapsody where the brilliant Rami Malek, who played Freddie, lip synced."

Before turning to Taron and saying: "You're actually doing the whole thing. I can't congratulate you enough.'

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Taron Egerton impressed producers with his cover of Elton's 1983 classic I'm Still Standing in 2016 flick Sing and has since revealed he's performing the songs himself live on set for the new film.

He has also earned the ultimate approval by Sir Elton who was "blown away" by Taron's take when he heard three songs he recorded recently at Abbey Road Studios.

"When I played the songs for Elton, he was blown away, really blown away," Rocketman's producer and Elton's husband David Furnish told .

"Elton was like, 'It can't get any better for me.'"

"The rehab recovery moment was a real watershed moment in his life, and it's a great way to focus the storytelling around that," Furnish added.

"Elton has told Taron, 'Don't copy me. Don't think you have to sing it exactly the way that I sang it. Don't think you have to perform it the way I performed it'.

"I think it's the challenge for the actor to embody the spirit and not get into thinking they have to do an impersonation."

Who stars alongside Taron Egerton and Richard Madden?

Unlike Queen and Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman is set to be an explicit look at Elton's early personal life.

Taron Egerton 

Taron plays the Rocketman himself in the biopic.

The actor impressed Elton himself with his acting and singing.

And he even performed the songs himself live on set for the new film.

He's previously starred in movies such as Eddie the Eagle - starring Hugh Jackman - Sing, and Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

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Richard Madden

Bodyguard star Richard Madden transforms into Elton's former boyfriend and long-term manager John Reid.

Speaking about his role, Madden told that he was ecstatic to find out that the part was his - particularly because it would allow him to use his native accent for once.

He revealed: "Rocketman was so great because I got to use my [real] accent because the character was born where I was born, so it was a natural element."

Jamie Bell

Billy Elliot actor Jamie Bell plays Elton's long-term collaborator Bernie Taupin.

Bernie is responsible for many of the lyrics of Elton's songs.

Bell has famously starred in several major blockbuster hits including Fantastic Four, Jumper, Billy Elliott and more.

Bryce Dallas Howard

Jurassic World star Bryce Dallas Howard is playing Elton's mother Sheila Eileen.

Sheila played a part in nurturing her son's creativity.

From playing Claire in the Jurassic World series to Hilly Holdbrook in 2011's The Help, Howard has quite the resume when it comes to her acting credentials.

Gemma Jones

The Bridget Jones actress takes on the role of Elton's granny, Ivy.

She's previously been in Sense and Sensibility, Carnage, and currently plays Aunt Anne Lister in the new BBC show Gentleman Jack.