7x why you want to see Bohemian Rhapsody in theaters now
If there was one thing I couldn't wait for, it was the movie Bohemian Rhapsody. Not that I'm necessarily a huge Queen fan (I didn't experience them very consciously), but when I saw the trailer, I knew I had to see this movie (yes, had to). And I can tell you: Bohemian Rhapsody will exceed all your expectations. So if the trailer isn't enough reason for you, let me convince you.
1. Rami Malek
Perhaps the most important one right away. Rami plays Freddie Mercury, or rather, he becomes Freddie Mercury. The man has had about two years of singing and piano lessons and worked with a ‘movement coach’ to copy and paste Mercury's iconic movements. Put the images of Rami and Freddie side by side and you can hardly see a difference. And yes, that’s also due to the fake teeth.
Fun fact: Rami didn't want to work with a choreographer, precisely because Freddie's movements were always original. The cast and cameras had no idea what he was going to do and which direction Rami was going, just like Freddie Mercury always did.
2. Gwilym Lee, Joseph Mazzello, Ben Hardy
They together form Queen in the film as Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor. Just like Rami, perfect performances and bizarrely well cast; they look like two drops of water on the real band members.
3. The music
The complete repertoire of Queen is featured and you know them all.. In every scene, you feel the rhythm and the magic of the ‘70s and ‘80s, through those unique songs and performances of Queen. The best part is seeing how each song came to be, because Queen didn't follow formulas.
The origin of Bohemian Rhapsody, for example, is too funny, but the idea for ‘We Will Rock You’ was also conceived in a unique way.
In all the songs in the film, you hear a mix of Freddie Mercury, Rami Malek, and Marc Martel, because Malek's own voice doesn't resemble Freddie's much.
4. True story
The story of Queen is, of course, reenacted, which makes it not feel like a documentary. But because the film is the real story (with a small mistake here and there in the timeline), you do get the feeling that you are watching a documentary. Note: not the sleep-inducing kind. The film gives you the feeling that everything had to be this way. It's so intense that you could hear a pin drop in the cinema.
5. Facts
The film was produced by Brian May and Roger Taylor themselves. The background information is overwhelming, and you learn the funniest and quite interesting facts about the band and Freddie. For example, who his great love was, but you'll have to see the film for that.
6. Oscars
The acting talent of the four cast members who play Queen is so good, the music is brilliantly woven throughout the film, and everything feels very close and real. It's no wonder that Bohemian Rhapsody is already being mentioned as a strong contender for the next Oscars.
7. Live Aid concert at Wembley
Queen's performance during Live Aid is still regarded as the greatest rock concert of all time, and you can see that reflected in Bohemian Rhapsody. I didn't experience the performance myself, but it is here, during this moment of the film, that you realize what Queen as a band meant for the world and music. Greatest. Goosebumps moment. Ever.
And if you're still not convinced, you'll still get a one-way ticket to the cinema. Because this, this is really a movie you can't miss. Bohemian Rhapsody, go see it.
Written by: Annick van den Broek
