Movie Review: Bohemian Rhapsody - #BohemianRhapsody

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
Release: November 2nd 2018
Director: Bryan Singer
Writers: Anthony McCarten (screenplay) | Peter Morgan (story)
Cast: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander, and Mike Myers
Genres: Biography | Drama | Music
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, suggestive material, drug content and language
Runtime: 134 min
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Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.

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It’s not necessary to be a huge fan of Queen to enjoy this film. The film takes a broad approach in showing the audience the history of the band and how they met, the creation of a few of their most notable hits, as well as touching on some of their low points, focusing mainly on Freddie Mercury. I feel like the teaser opening scene of Mercury getting ready to take the stage for Live Aid and closing out the movie with the performance was a great way to frame the story. You are immediately greeted with energy and excitement from the get-go. The film takes you through an emotional journey of laughter, tears (I am honestly not sure if there was a dry eye in the theater at one point), and overall appreciation of what thinking outside of the box can accomplish. After all – “fortune favors the bold”!

Bohemian Rhapsody tells the story of Queen from the vantage point of the very talented, however quite lonely, lead singer Freddie Mercury. From Mercury’s days as a baggage handler at Heathrow airport, then to the coming together of Queen with Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon, through the highs and lows of his personal struggles through superstardom, then ultimately resulting in his tragic AIDS diagnosis. Focusing mainly the lead singer, much of the complete story of Queen is left out. Granted it would be difficult to cover everything in one film, but the point of the band being a collaborative unit who prided themselves on creativity and not afraid to experiment was brought to attention and great effort was made in the story line to properly showcase that.

Rami Malek put everything into this role and embodied the spirit of the legendary Freddie Mercury. His performance was flamboyant, passionate, driven, and fun to watch. Not to mention he is a dead ringer for Mercury! I hate to admit that I did not know too much about the iconic lead singer until this movie. Malek’s performance was inspiring in a way which left me with a thirst to learn more about Freddie Mercury once the film ended. Malek did not sing a single note in the movie and the sound editing was done extremely well. You really have an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Mercury’s unique voice.

I realize I haven’t touched much on the other actors/characters of the movie, because honestly, I walked away from this movie smitten with the performance of Rami Malek and the legend of Freddie Mercury himself. I feel like the movie was well done and a fantastic film to shed light on who Freddie Mercury was for those like me who just barely missed the era of Queen in their prime. The acting was on point by everyone on screen and I felt invigorated leaving the theater. Bohemian Rhapsody is definitely worth the price of admission and a must see on the big screen!

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Bohemian Rhapsody is one for the books! This film is amazing from start to finish. The movie embodies the greatness that is Queen and was Freddie Mercury. I HIGHLY recommend for all to see on the big screen.

This is one of 2018 films I was highly anticipating. The acting by all was fantastic, but I was blown away by Rami Malek's portrayal of Freddie Mercury. I believe that if Mercury was alive today, he would be very pleased with Malek. I've been a fan of Malek for a time now, since he was part of the Egyptian coven in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, then he role in Mr. Robot. Malek is someone that stays under the radar as far as his acting, but I think that will all change once everyone experience Malek as Mercury. You can almost call his acting on Bohemian Rhapsody iconic, just like Freddie Mercury was. Now, don't think that Malek was the only actor in the film that blew me away, the whole cast was just perfection for this film.

The film caused "Goosies" as Jennifer Lopez would say. I would catch myself bouncing to the music, laughing out loud, getting misty eyed, and excited. You name it, I experienced it throughout the film. I did not want it to end, even after 143 mins. I will say, the movie had me googling all the things about Queen and Freddie Mercury. I was not a die hard fan before the film, Queen was a bit before my time. But I do love many of their songs, but seeing this film, I grew such respect and admiration for the band. This reminds me of one scene in the film, the Mike Myers's character Ray Foster says "Mark these words: NO ONE will play Queen."

Bohemian Rhapsody will ROCK YOU from start to finish! See it on the big screen to really enjoy every second. I'm already wanting to see it again. Seriously, just stellar! 5 huge gold stars! And if you didn't know, this film has been in the "works" since 2010. It has had cast, directors and film companies drop and pick up in the last few years. Glad it was given up on, if not we wouldn't have been able to see experience the greatness that Bohemian Rhapsody is.