REVIEW | Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Are you ready, Hey! Are you ready for this? Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?

An uplifting, upbeat, and unapologetic celebration of one of the world’s greatest bands of all time.

You’ve heard their music, you know their name, and of course, there is — their illustrious frontman. Follow the biggest rock band of the 70s that brought the world together with their sensational songs, and shaped the face of music for their generation and beyond. From their early years to their greatest hits, and through their electrifying performances across time and space.

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*Minor spoilers for Bohemian Rhapsody ahead*

Right off the top, you should know that this is a fictionalised biography that presents exaggerated events and dramatised scenarios, think more Amadeus (1984) than First Man (2018). And I only bring that up simply because of how much this film reflects Queen and their apparent approach to any performance —

placing a spectacular show, before the dull and draggy details.

Bohemian Rhapsody breaks free from the average biopic and translates the historic accounts surrounding the band, into a soft-biopic intended primarily to entertain. Placing the emphasis on filling the scenes with fun, while following a carefully composed story, and of course — layering the experience with their sensational songs.

It’s like being a roadie for one of the most famous, fascinating, and outright fantastic bands in the history of music. And that’s gotta be something right?

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Probably in the same way you have “Don’t Stop Me Now” in your favourite playlist, and not know about the album its featured in. This film does the same by helping you enjoy an extravagant rendition of their story — without diving neck-deep into the facts and its loyalty.

Teaching us that nothing r̶e̶a̶l̶l̶y̶ ̶m̶a̶t̶t̶e̶r̶s̶ is supposed to be anything —  and that everything can so much more, with a flash of fantasy.

And speaking of sensational songs —

If there’s anything that can borrow the spotlight from Freddie Mercury, it’d be their visceral music. And we’re talking about music that’s used to set the tone for movies, moments, and events of all occasions.

Music that you [and millions of others] know and love, in which Bohemian Rhapsody turns the volume up on in more ways than one. Bringing a fresh new take, in an all new light, with a little more depth to the timeless work and wonder of Queen.

Just try not going through their greatest hits (and then some) after viewing this film.

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We may never have another out-of-this-world trip around Mercury again. But Freddie has made damn-sure that his shows and shadows remain intensely and eternally mesmerising to behold.

And despite Mr. Fahrenheit being absolutely irreplaceable — Rami Malek manages to channel this luxury with a cinematic performance that draws you in, both on-stage and on-screen.

Delivering a portrayal that serves as the character anchor to a talented line-up of distinct and diverse cast. Written and woven together to capture not so much the facts — but the fabric and flavour that would make up that supersonic singer alongside his band of misfit rock stars.

So if you’re expecting to go in to trade your telescope of Freddie Mercury for a microscope, then you may come away disappointed with the semi-fictionalised take of this film. But you could say that’s mostly because —

we all simply can’t get enough of that magnificent b̶a̶s̶t̶a̶r̶d̶ Bulsara.

And although widely fictionalised — Bohemian Rhapsody succeeds in trading a hyper-accurate movie to preserve the image of the unchallenged legend. Maintaining the enigma, while retaining the energy of that remarkable frontman.

Which is understandable if you consider what visual myths, scandals, and speculations can do to historical figures. Like Lance Armstrong and performance-enhancing drugs in The Program (2015), or homoerotic overtones in J. Edgar (2011).

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I mean after all, this is the story about the guys that infused operatic “Bismillahs” and “Figaros” into a rock song, that’s still relevant (and enjoyed) to this day! So whether historically accurate or not — pretty sure you’re in for a show that will rock you.

But if you won’t catch this film to relive and experience every musical beat and thump, every lyrical clap and cry, of their chart-topping, crowd-chanting music with anyone than yourself.

Then darling — you’d be missing out on such a good time.