Editorial Staff
Fox revealed their long-gestating Freddie Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” to media and other lucky guns on the Fox lot in L.A. on Saturday. Now if you’ve been scouring Twitter for feedback on the screening, you’ll see it was more than a success for the shingle – they’ve not only got a stout commercial hit on their hands but sounds like the film might be a strong awards season contender.
Sure, a couple of reviewers didn’t think much of the screenplay, which might play it too safe, but nobody seems to fault the flawless turn by “Mr. Robot” star Malek.
Reviews are embargoed for the moment but here’s a few social media responses and a brief blurb from Pete Hammond :
Says Deadline, “Malek proved beyond a doubt he was the right choice to play iconic Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury in a performance that just pops off the screen, alternating between high energy and high drama, and brilliantly capturing both the man and the performer in all his complexity and style. Like the Oscar-winning performance of Jamie Foxx in Ray, Malek doesn’t do his own singing (well, maybe a little) but stunningly embodies the actual vocals of Freddie Mercury himself, as well as a hired sound-alike for certain portions of the wide-ranging soundtrack. It is enormously effective and the sound and vocals are thrilling in this film.”
My biggest takeaway from BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY is how much the rest of Queen resents Freddie Mercury. But Rami Malek is outstanding. Also, the fact Mike Myers is in this movie is genius and insane.
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) October 8, 2018
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY is a glorified Wikipedia entry but Rami Malek plays Freddie Mercury (and wears his wonderful costumes) with incredible gusto
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) October 7, 2018
HOLY HELL!! #BohemianRhapsody is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!! A rousing emotional cinematic champion that will rock you! #RamiMalek is magnificent! It’s great FUN & it will ROCK YOU!! #AStarIsBorn, you’ve been served!! #Queen #FreddieMercury #Galileo pic.twitter.com/grykKkGjoE
— The WolfMantz (@MovieMantz) October 7, 2018
#BohemianRhapsody has plenty of flaws, but as a straight up celebration of #Queen and the life of #FreddieMercury, it’s fun from start to finish. #Rami Malek is exceptional and the rest of the band shouldn’t be overlooked either, each inhabiting these rockstar personas with ease. pic.twitter.com/6GdyUmF3PC
— David Opie @ LFF (@DavidOpie) October 7, 2018
Bloody Hell! Absolutely did not expect @BoRhapMovie to be a thousand degrees of fantastic. Rami Malek has a kind of magic and one vision of a champion performance. Prepare to be rocked!!! #BohemianRhapsody pic.twitter.com/dzJ7UO6hYu
— @jazzt (@jazzt) October 7, 2018
Absolutely beyond blown away by #BohemianRhapsody! Rami Malek is phenomenal. Gorgeous story, amazing concert movie…I don’t have enough words! pic.twitter.com/2lFZCX2O6d
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) October 7, 2018
