Bohemian Rhapsody

[Boom]

Ultimately, it's their lives and if they want to preserve a specific image of themselves (albeit through rose-tinted glasses), I can get that.

Still, it's disappointing that the band couldn't open themselves up to a more honest tell-all. They may have gotten into some crazy stuff back in the day that would have had people raising their eyebrows, but at the end of the day their music is impeachable. There's no diminishing that.

 

[MAN O STEEL]

In this day and age of outrage culture and social justice did you really think Brian and Roger would put forth an honest account of their lives?. 20 years ago I reckon they would have done it. These days though you have to be careful what you put a spotlight on.

 

[terry78]

You just have to admit a lot of our talented geniuses weren't exactly upstanding citizens in their heyday. You dontd break down walls by following the rules and all that.

 

[jmc]

In this day and age of outrage culture and social justice did you really think Brian and Roger would put forth an honest account of their lives?. 20 years ago I reckon they would have done it. These days though you have to be careful what you put a spotlight on.

It's not even that. Queen have been very particular about what content gets produced in their name, even something simple like getting one of their songs approved for a compilation album requires a checklist most other artists don't require. Like, did you know that the stipulation is if you want a Queen song on your album is has to be the first track regardless of what other songs are on it? That's how particular they are and how much value they place on their work. Having that type of control probably doesn't make for a very creative environment, which is ironic given who the band is. So, reading this being a sanitised film is not entirely surprising, but it is very disappointing.

 

[InvisibleWoman]

I think the movie has always been pitched as a love letter to Queen and Freddie from day one. It was never going to be a gritty, hard hitting biopic.

I'm seeing it later and I'm really looking forward to it

 

[Mandon Knight]

One review I've just read in the UK press, has made me now, not want to see it,

Spoiler

they have omitted Jim Hutton completely from the film, there's wanting a 'clean version of events' and there is taking heart & soul out of your story because it may be difficult to show

 

[InvisibleWoman]

One review I've just read in the UK press, has made me now, not want to see it,

Spoiler

they have omitted Jim Hutton completely from the film, there's wanting a 'clean version of events' and there is taking heart & soul out of your story because it may be difficult to show

Hmmm that's strange as...

Spoiler

he's listed as being played by Aaron McCusker and other articles refer to him featuring in the movie. I shall let you know later today!

 

[Mandon Knight]

Hmmm that's strange as...

Spoiler

he's listed as being played by Aaron McCusker and other articles refer to him featuring in the movie. I shall let you know later today!

Thanks IW, hope you enjoy it

 

[Spider-Fan]

I can't really say the reviews surprise me. I think Sacha Baron Cohen basically was saying when he ended up not playing Freddie that they were not going for anything groundbreaking.

 

[jmc]

I think he also said the band originally wanted the first half of the film to be about Freddie, and the second half about how the band continued after his death, which makes no sense. I get the feeling the people involved weren’t 100% sure about what this movie should focus on. If it’s a movie about the band and how they were on the verge of calling it quits in the early 80’s then Live Aid would be the climax, if it’s a film about Freddie then his death would be the climax.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I think he also said the band originally wanted the first half of the film to be about Freddie, and the second half about how the band continued after his death, which makes no sense. I get the feeling the people involved weren’t 100% sure about what this movie should focus on. If it’s a movie about the band and how they were on the verge of calling it quits in the early 80’s then Live Aid would be the climax, if it’s a film about Freddie then his death would be the climax.

I remember him saying that, as well. I hope this movie satisfies me when I see it, though. My initial thinking is I will like it but wished I loved it.

 

[Pennywise]

I’m sure I’ll have a good time at the movies and it’s great to hear Rami earning rave reviews, but I wish we could have seen a biopic that really dives into Mercury’s life.

Looking forward to the Live Aid sequence.

 

[Aximili86]

Yeah, not sure it's worth getting too upset this is a very glossy & neutered portrayal of it all. Think as soon as it became clear the band themselves were shepherding the whole thing, that became clear.

I'll probably be fine with it, just a celebration of Freddy & the music. Would have been nice for it to be a bit more honest, but I get why the band's only going to want to show the good stuff.

 

[jolldan]

Will be giving this a miss as it doesn't sound like there's going to be much I don't already know.

The Dirt - Motley Crue's upcoming biopic film is going to be the best one of any of these movies if done right.

 

[Aximili86]

Eww, Crue. Bunch'a sissies.

 

[Hurm...]

I'm not surprised by this. The trailers' highlights were always the concerts and music. There was very little that told us anything about the characters themselves, which should be the driving force for a film of this nature. If you want to listen to Queen, well, go listen to Queen. Don't make the soundtrack the primary appeal of a movie.

 

[InvisibleWoman]

Just finished watching the movie. I literally spent the last 30 minutes of the movie sobbing. Rami Malek is just flawless.

Oh and Mandon Knight, in regards to your spoiler earlier...

Spoiler

Jim Hutton is very much in it

 

[Mandon Knight]

Just finished watching the movie. I literally spent the last 30 minutes of the movie sobbing. Rami Malek is just flawless.

Oh and Madon Knight, in regards to your spoiler earlier...

Spoiler

Jim Hutton is very much in it

Thanks for confirming IW, press don't know what they are talking about and glad it was emotionally what you wanted from the film, and that Malek is strong in it.

 

[InvisibleWoman]

Thanks for confirming IW, press don't know what they are talking about and glad it was emotionally what you wanted from the film, and that Malek is strong in it.

Just realised I spelt your username wrong in the earlier post - how rude (I've corrected it!

It really hit me in the feels. More so than A Star is Born. The music bookmarks the movie perfectly and I really just thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. They don't ignore Freddie sexuality (it's actually a big part of the narrative) and they do show his AIDS diagnosis (which is when the tears started rolling - beautifully filmed)

 

[sueb1863]

Might be seeing this next weekend! Looking forward to it, I don't know a lot about Queen but I appreciate their cultural achievements and I'm a Rami Malek fan.

I wasn't expecting a warts-and-all expose of the band's past, especially since it's rated PG-13.

 

[scarlet-witch]

The trailer was so good I'm surprised that every single review I've read has been negative so far.

 

[terry78]

It's too tame apparently.

 

[MAN O STEEL]

Do you guys really want an ins and out see all of Freddie's personal life on film?. I get that he was an interesting man who got up to a lot of outlandish stuff but Freddie was a very private man who hated reporters digging in on his life. The way I see it Brian and Roger are respecting that by simply making a movie celebrating his life and the band's achievements as a whole. Remember how Freddie was reduced in his last days of sticking to the lodge as he was being harassed by pathetic parasites hounding him outside?. Do you think that because he's been dead 27 years that we as fans should still not respect that?. Anyone who makes a movie the way Sacha Baron Cohen wanted it done would only be doing it to exploit the man for money, so F them. Just go to the movie to enjoy a great tribute to Queen and their legacy and have a fun time with your family.

 

[jmc]

If the worst case is a watered down take on the band topped off with a HD reinterpretation of the full Live Aid set then I'll probably be satisfied enough.

 

[InvisibleWoman]

I don't get this whole "too tame" business... they show:

Spoiler

- Freddie's troubled relationship with his Dad
- The racism he faced
- His relationship with various men
- Drug use
- Fall out with the band
- AIDS diagnosis

No it doesn't show him actually snorting cocaine and having sex with a man and there's no glorified death scene... but what they did was tasteful and honoured Freddie's genius which was The Music.