Film Review - Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Not related to the big stage musical, We Will Rock You; rather focussing on the formation of iconic stadium rock band Queen introducing flamboyant frontman Freddie Mercury this terrific story is a biographical segment leading up to the mid-1980s Live Aid global charity concert.

Hands down Rami Malek (The Master, Mr Robot) is Hollywood’s best kept secret this guy can act!
Front, centre, enveloping perfectly the role of Freddie Mercury he is convincing beyond words, deserved of award recognition, Malek is Mercury.

Peeking behind the scenes how the band did unconventional things from writing to recording to performing their brilliant unique brand of music, nothing was really the same. Arguments are rife at times even a separation with Freddie succumbing to a solo offer however what seems to be watered down is the excess that led to the eventual downfall of Mercury.

Contracting Aids through his exploits to party hard are sad moments in an era that was new to the dreadful disease.
A greatest hits soundtrack amps up to eleven being almost standalone in itself while the finale on stage at Wembley Area Live Aid is like being in the front row singing along with thousands within the adoring crowd.

As big a fan of Queen but no aficionado I still learnt a few things such as Freddie was married to Mary (Lucy Boynton) and the actual song Bohemian Rhapsody was rejected by music label EMI.

All grown up, the kid form original Jurassic Park Joseph Mazzello plays Bass player John Deacon and like the pair who play Drummer Roger Taylor, Guitarist Brian May, they look exact to their real counterparts.

Mike Myers (Austin Powers) doesn’t do much acting these days however he’s good popping up here as the aforementioned EMI executive who says no more to Queen experimentation rejecting them. Ironically Wayne’s World used song Bohemian Rhapsody in a very cool moment returning it to the charts in the 90s. Not the perfect film it’s slow at times, riveting Malek makes it worth seeing and the music above all else.