Creating a biopic is always tricky: there are too many of them being released and there’s the inevitable criticism that comes about the accuracy of events, especially if the person depicted has many fans or admirers. For some reason, moviegoers forget that this type of movie is not a documentary, but rather a dramatization of what might have happened.

This happened last year with Bohemian Rhapsody, when it suffered backlash from fans of the band Queen and Freddie Mercury alleging problems with the timeline of certain events and lack of scenes showing Mercury’s sexuality.

This year, there is another biopic that is doomed to face the same criticism. Rocketman, also directed by Dexter Fletcher (who finished directing Bohemian Rhapsody after its original director got fired), tells the life story of Elton John, showcasing some of his greatest hits.

As the poster of the movie already anticipates, this is, again, not a documentary, but “based on a true fantasy”. The whole story is told by Elton John (Taron Egerton) during a rehab meeting, so it is plausible that the timelines are blurred in his mind.

Rocketman starts with Elton’s childhood, when he was still Reginald Dwight, a shy boy ignored by his parents (Steven Mackintosh and Bryce Dallas Howard) but loved by his grandmother (Gemma Jones). She is the one that recognizes his talents with the piano and takes him to take lessons.

The movie, then, shows the audience how Reginald became Elton and how one of the best partnerships in show business started: Elton starts writing the music to Bernie Taupin’s lyrics (played by Jamie Bell) and, from that point on, his career skyrocketed, especially after a perfomance in the United States.

Rocketman doesn’t shy away from Elton’s problems. As he acknowledges right a the beginning of the film, he’s addicted to alcohol, drugs, sex, and shopping. He finds himself terribly lonely, betrayed by his manager (Richard Madden) and working too much. That’s when of the best scenes of the movie happen: Elton sings the title song with a younger version of himself.

It is also a musical, and not just a movie with songs (like Bohemian Rhapsody, where the songs were played as excerpts from concerts). Here, all the characters burst into songs, and there are even dance numbers.

There is also enough gay sex scenes to make the Russian government censor part of the movie, but apparently not enough to make American critics satisfied – so it’s basically impossible to know what is the right amount.

What should be undisputed, however, is Taron Egerton’s performance, both acting and singing. He may not look like Elton, but you can believe, for two hours, that he is Elton John, and appreciate his singing voice too (especially during Your Song).

Rocketman is a deliciously crazy portrayal of Elton’s life, with a soundtrack filled with hits that will stay in your head for a long time after seeing it.