Watched: July 6, 2019

Kegger Rating: 3 Stars

MM Rating: 2 stars

Kegger’s Review:

I knew a bit of the end of the story of Queen, so I was interested to see what happens at the beginning. 

And they flew right through it!  Which in hindsight was a good thing.  During the movie, however, I was wondering – we’re halfway through, and it’s already into the 80s.  What are they going to cover for the last half??

We don’t get a lot of insight into what makes Freddy Mercury tick.  Which is a bit of a bummer.  I’d like to know more about why he’s as pompous as he seems.  I’m guessing it has something to do with the way that he was raised, the culture of his parents, maybe a bit of his sexuality, etc., but we’re never really given that insight.  Instead, he’s who you’d expect – talented, somewhat tortured (maybe?) artist, with an over the top personality. 

Rami Malek was awesome – his portrayal made the movie, so I’m good there. 

But what I enjoyed more than anything else, I think, outside of the music, was the rest of the band.  The lead guitarist and the drummer, mostly.  Those two were hysterical, but at the same time had enough depth of feeling to show that they really cared for Mercury throughout his ups and downs.  I would have loved to get a little bit more into their lives.  They’re barely even secondary characters, and they’re in the freaking band! 

I also really loved all the music interspersed throughout the movie.  Songs I recognized as Queen’s, songs I didn’t recognize as theirs but already loved, and songs that made me want to listen to more of their music. 

All in all, the three stars come from Rami’s performance, the other band members, and the music.  Not quite sure about the plot (though I get it – it’s a memoir of sorts), and that’s why I can’t give it more.  Not enough depth to really pull me in further. 

MM’s Review:

This movie was nominated for the Best Picture award?  What the hell am I missing?  This movie was a mess.

We’re introduced to Freddie Mercury as – apparently? – late teens to early twenties.  I’m not saying I need an origins story here, but his character is born as a star.  He starts out as a star, and ends as a star.  Character development?  Man, I’m struggling to see much.  The same confidence is there from beginning to end, with some drugs and tears thrown in.  Can that be the subtitle?  “Drugs & Tears”

That’s not to say the acting was poor.  Holy shit, Rami Malek deserved his academy award.  Fantastic performance, for which I’m giving one of my precious stars all on its own.  And he didn’t carry the whole movie, as his costars did well around him.  I cared about the band and about his wife, and I hated the people that led him astray. 

As for the story/plot, meh.  We’ve already seen the story about the band in every other band movie ever.  Nothing to see here.  Some of the direction was fun, though, particularly when the titular song is being created.  The only other real plot point was Freddie coming to terms with his sexuality, how it impacted his relationship with his wife, and…was that it?…maybe?

I already said I’m giving one star just for Rami Malek’s performance – seriously, he’s amazing in this movie – and I’m giving one more star because I liked the interspersed music.  It’s worth seeing for those two reasons, but Best Picture?  What movie did everyone else see?