Robbie Williams’ stylish biopicBetter Manis one of the wildest, most entertaining movies of the past year — and much of this reputation comes down to its bold musical sequences. It tells the story of Williams’ turbulent rise to fame and the many relationships that were irrevocably damaged in the process. It’s a very emotional story, never shying away from the darker periods in the singer’s life as his vulnerable narration takes ownership of his story in a very mature way. And yet, between all the tragedy and emotional turmoil,Better Manis filled with plenty of great songs.
Michael Gracey’s direction is one ofBetter Man’s biggest strengths, as he fully understands the energy and dynamism that’s necessary to bring a musical sequence to life on the big screen. There are several great instances of this inBetter Man, withRobbie Williams’ many recognizable songsserving a clear purpose in the story and pushing the narrative forward with their powerful lyrics. However, there’sone songBetter Manthat’s taken the internet by stormand has single-handedly convinced some audiences to watch the film.
The Sequence Was Released Early On Social Media
The “Rock DJ” sequence was published on social media several weeks beforeBetter Man’s wide release, and it proved to be one of the film’s strongest marketing strategies. The clip circulated widely on platforms such as X, Facebook, and Twitter, with many audiences blown away by Gracey’s direction in this particular scene. Accompanied by an updated version of Williams’ iconic song, the clip seesRobbie (portrayed by a CGI monkey) and the other members of Take That dancing through the streets of Londonand amassing a huge crowd in their wake.
When viewing the film in its entirety, many audiences will be surprised to learn that the full sequence is almost five minutes long in Better Man.
Interestingly, it wasn’t the entire “Rock DJ” sequence that had been published online. When viewing the film in its entirety, many audiences will be surprised to learn that the full sequence is almost five minutes long inBetter Man. The extended version is even more impressive, with a few hip-hop-inspired changes to the instrumentals that allow for some dynamic choreography and fast-paced dancing.
“Rock DJ” Is Better Man’s Best Scene
The Musical Number Encompasses Everything Great About Better Man
Better Manis a project tailor-made for the big screen, and the “Rock DJ” sequence perfectly proves that. It’s absolutely huge, both in musicality and scale, serving as an emotional climax of the film’s first act. It represents the singer’s transition from a working-class teenager from the Midlands into a global superstar, and Gracey reflects all of this in his direction and choreography.It captures the arrogance and swagger that Williams felt at this period of his lifebut presents it as something fun and bombastic instead of the curse that it ultimately becomes.
The camera movements and slick editing are flawless, effectively dragging the audience into this energetic scene and making everything feel continuous.
The scale of Gracey’s “Rock DJ” sequence is immense, with a huge ensemble of backup dancers who really capture the magnitude of Robbie Williams’ rise to fame. The camera is often positioned at a large distance from the singer, presenting him as just one of the hundred individuals who are swept up by this infectious chorus of music - even though he’s the star. The camera movements and slick editing are flawless, effectively dragging the audience into this energetic scene and making everything feel continuous.
Seeing “Rock DJ” On The Big Screen Is Worth Watching Better Man Alone
The Scene Is Made Especially For The Theatrical Experience
Better Man’s reviews are overwhelmingly positive, despite the hesitation that many viewers likely experienced about watching a film where the main character is portrayed by a CGI monkey. Admittedly, it was the biggest concern coming into the project. This reluctance was clearly reflected inBetter Man’s hugely underwhelming box office performance, but the “Rock DJ” sequence is worth the price of admission alone. It’s such an enjoyable moment in the film, and it serves as a brilliant contrast to the much darker moments that are to follow.
Seeing where Robbie Williams came from and understanding his struggles makes the energy of “Rock DJ” even more infectious. It’s both a celebration of his early ‘90s pop career and the last true moment of pure happiness in the film before things quickly spiral.
Additionally, watching theBetter Man“Rock DJ” sequence on the big screen is a huge upgrade from seeing it on social media through a phone screen. Not only is the format much more immersive, allowing viewers to catch even more details and appreciate the intricacies of the choreography, but it’s also much more powerful in context. Seeing where Robbie Williams came from and understanding his struggles makes the energy of “Rock DJ” even more infectious. It’s both a celebration of his early ‘90s pop career and the last true moment of pure happiness in the film before things quickly spiral.
Better Man
Cast
Directed by Michael Gracey, Better Man explores the life and career of singer Robbie Williams through his own eyes.
