Bohemian Rhapsody - Review

If you have a chance to watch this movie in IMAX, then do it. Strange to recommend seeing a film in such a big, epic set-up like IMAX when that film is a biopic, but this movie is truly too powerful not to be seen on the biggest screen possible with the best quality sound. When people ask about my favorite rock bands, I normally would bring up bands like AC/DC, KISS, Metallica, Genesis, Boston, Def Leppard etc. However, I would always overlook Queen for some reason. But throughout this movie, I constantly said to myself, "Oh yeah, this song is awesome. But I already knew that I guess." Hearing every song in this movie made me feel like it was the first time listening to it. This movie reminds us why Queen is one of the best rock bands of all time and it tells it in such epic proportions. That is why you need to see it in IMAX.

With that being said, I should mention that while Freddie Mercury is technically the protagonist and the lead character of the movie, this movie is really a Queen biopic rather than a Freddie Mercury biopic. I mention this because a large number of people I have discussed this movie with are somehow insulted by that fact. I don't really see why that a problem. Maybe because he is such a famous and influential person not only in the LGBTQ community but in human history, people wanted to see his full explicit story. Instead, we get a story starring Freddie Mercury about the band Queen and their rise to becoming rock legends. Instead of the film being an R-Rated film explicitly showcasing all the hardcore drugs and the underground of the LGBTQ community where Freddie spent a good chunk of his time (which is what I believe what most people wanted) we get a more uplifting PG-13 film about a kick-ass rock band who has a lead singer who struggles with his wife and becoming gay. Something to look out for, but for me personally, it wasn't like the film decided not to have Mercury's sexuality in the story whatsoever. And on top of that, we get to see Freddie front and center do some amazing things with his bandmates. So the whole notion of this film being more about Queen than Freddie Mercury doesn't bother me what so ever.

So with all the politics out of the way, I can safely say that this film had me hyped from the moment it started. Go down the filmmaking duties list and I can tell you that they did an amazing job. With directing, Bryan Singer and Dexter Fletcher (yes, Bryan Singer did not direct this entire movie) did a great job with the pacing and tone of the movie. The actors, Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joe Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander, all give great performances. The chemistry between the 'Queen' actors is remarkable. Not only do they look like their real-life counterparts, but they also feel like they are a real band making music, arguing about what songs to choose for the album. The cinematography was excellent. Now, I am a fan of the 'invisible filmmaker' theory, where you don't actually pay attention to the types of shot the filmmaker is using because you are too invested in the story to notice. When I am constantly reminded that I am watching someone's creation, it takes me out of the story. However, some movies come along where I am not only invested in the stories and characters on screen but also notice how amazing it looks. The cinematography, the production design, costumes, hair and makeup, well done guys! You brought Queen back in a big way. And don't forget the sound. Trust me, just listen to "Another One Bites the Dust" when it plays in the movie and I dare you not to get into the music.

This movie is absolutely wonderful. If a movie can get me to sing the soundtrack for days on end, and make me tell everyone about the movie the next day at work, then it's a thumbs up in my books.