I usually tend to follow reviews when it comes to hit movies.

But for Bohemian Rhapsody? I question myself this: are you really a Queen fan?

Bohemian Rhapsody is a biopic that tells the story of classic rock band Queen, led by frontman Freddie Mercury, whose real name is Farrokh Bulsara. It became one of the most anticipated movies of 2018, especially for those who are longtime Queen fans.
Their famous six-minute song of the same title, as described by Mercury himself, was “a work of poetry”.

Many critics who reviewed the movie tend to take the title as a story behind the six-minute song when, in all honesty, it is a story about the rise of Mercury’s fame, and demise. Others also critiqued about how Mercury’s sexuality was “plastered” all over the movie.

It may be a movie version of Queen’s Wikipedia article, but it explains so much more than that. There is more behind-the-scenes on how the band members come up with the songs they make, as well as how Mercury dealt with his period of demise, and his AIDS diagnosis.

Not only the title of the movie was about the song itself, but it tells the story of how Queen shot to worldwide fame thanks to Mercury’s gift: his voice.

Comparing to other biopics such as Selena, Bohemian Rhapsody did not start off with Mercury’s childhood. I wanted to ask why the writers wanted to go that route instead of telling a brief explanation of how Mercury got his name as well as how he ended up in England with his family for the majority of his life.
Mercury had no plans on what to do with his life. Before the band was formed, he was working as a baggage handler at London’s Heathrow Airport, and also held a job selling second-hand clothing with his lifelong friend Mary Austin, whom he briefly dated.

But, I do applaud the writers for applying the theme of “finding one’s self”. There were elements of conflict that involved Mercury and his way of getting to know himself through his music, as well as finding his place in the world.

I do also applaud the actor’s work of Rami Malek, who previously starred in movies such as Papillon; and TV shows such as Mr. Robot. Malek portrayed a better Freddie Mercury than others who would have been, and I’m sure his work would win him at least one award.

I would leave that tissue box at home unless biopics make you shed a few tears or so. You will be moved by the music, as well as Mercury’s rise and fall.

You can expect to laugh at almost half of the movie. Mercury had established a wonderful relationship with his bandmates (Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor), where they all collaborated with their songwriting, especially during the recording of “Bohemian Rhapsody” (the song). From throwing coffee makers at each other to yelling “how many more Galileo’s do you want?” for the six-minute single.

You can expect many hits to be played during the movie, such as Another One Bites The Dust, Under Pressure, Killer Queen, We Are the Champions, and many others. I certainly enjoyed the final half-hour of the movie, which will be a special treat for those longtime Queen fans who followed through their final years in the music industry.

So do me a favor and don’t read any other reviews that give this movie just one or two stars, or a less-than-50% of a rating. You will enjoy it if you have been a Queen fan for a long time. For those who want to learn more about the history of Queen will definitely learn more in a visual sense. Some of you may also relate to what Mercury had gone through, especially when it comes to finding yourself in this world.

8.5 stars for me. There are flaws, but overall the music will take you away.

Bohemian Rhapsody is now in theatres.