Logan Sork Film Reviews
Bohemian Rhapsody
Whether you’re a fan of their music or not, there is no denying that Queen is arguably one of, if not the, most recognizable and popular bands to ever exist. With their unconventional style, innovation and the charisma of leading man Freddie Mercury, Queen has solidified itself in the cultures of man around the globe. A film based on the group was inevitable, but it has had a long and difficult journey getting to the big screen. With project being plagued by production issues from its conception nearly eight years ago to the actual filming of it, I was worried if it would be worth all the effort in the end. Thankfully, I’m happy to report that Bohemian Rhapsody is a truly epic look into the behind the scenes look of the iconic rock group, with enough energy and emotion to offset its flaws.
Bohemian Rhapsody is directed by Bryan Singer and stars Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury. The film charts the story of Mercury and the other members of Queen from their underground beginnings to the 1985 Live Aid Concert. On this journey, we experience the creation of some of Queen’s most iconic songs as well as the performances that made them legends. Along the way, we see Mercury’s life unfold from his high points as the front man of Queen, to the low points as he struggles with his sexuality and the relationships around him.
The cast in this film is absolutely phenomenal. Malek is not just playing Freddie Mercury, he became him for this role. Every little movement and action feels like it’s Freddie and shows just how much work and dedication that Malek put into the performance. Though Malek is truly exceptional praise must also be given to the rest of the actors in the film. Mercury’s other band mates are played to perfection by Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy and Joseph Mazzello, with each cast member bringing their own unique personality into the mix to make for an enjoyable group of characters with some great chemistry. Every other cast member gives a star caliber performance not matter how large the role. From the emotionally gravitating performance by Lucy Boynton as Freddie’s wife Mary Austin, to the scene stealing cameo of Mike Myers' angry records executive, there is not a single performance in the film that lacks charisma.
The films recreation of historical events in Queen’s history also adds a unique energy to the film. As the band goes on their Journey, the audience gets to take a ride with them and experience different stages in their career from the creation of their most iconic songs, to their showstopping performances across the globe. The film manages to cram almost 25 years of performances into a two hour and fifteen-minute extravaganza. The reproductions of the iconic concerts are nearly perfect, with the sets, costumes and cinematography lending themselves to the high energy of the environments. All of this was capped off with a nearly 20-minute recreation of the 1985 Live Aid Concert, which is worth the price of admission alone.
While the film has time for all of the great music and concerts that made Queen, the film also takes time to explore some of the more personal issues they faced. With Freddie Mercury, we get to see that despite having an almost god like presence on stage, deep down he was just a human with personal struggles. It is the struggles he goes through on a personal level, whether it be his family issues or his struggles with his sexuality, that help give this film a human edge to help balance out the epic scale of the band. There are some nice touching moments with Mercury and the people around him that help elevate this film above the conventional musical biopic film.
Though there is a lot to like about the film, it’s not without its flaws. The first ten minutes or so fell extremely disjointed and rushed. This had me concerned that the entire film was going to be like this. Thankfully it eventually finds its footing and doesn’t let you go until the end of the film. There were also some moments that I felt the film glanced over. This is understandable as it was trying to accomplish a lot in the 2-hour 15-minute run time, though I do think it could have benefited from some extra time to help flesh out some small moments that felt undersold.
Despite these flaws, Bohemian Rhapsody is an epic and moving tribute to Freddie Mercury and Queen. With great energy and pacing, a killer cast, and a great emotional story at its core to help balance out the epic musical moments, this film will most certainly rock you.
9/10