Blu-ray Review: Bohemian Rhapsody

Synopsis: "Bohemian Rhapsody" is an enthralling celebration of Queen, their music, and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek), who defied stereotypes and convention to become one of history's most beloved entertainers. Following Queen's meteoric rise, their revolutionary sound and Freddie's solo career, the film also chronicles the band's reunion, and one of the greatest performances in rock history. 

Main Feature: Freddie Mercury is as non-formulaic of an artist as one can be. So when the biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody" is the traditional musician biopic formula, it doesn't fit. You can't jam that puzzle piece in: it doesn't fit, and it won't fit. That is the case here. Mercury wasn't bland in the least, but this film is. He was a larger than life personality that deserves more honest portrayal that doesn't feel like a cash grab for the surviving members of the group, living off his legacy. The more I dwell on it, the angrier I get. Sure, Rami Malek looks the part. But even sometimes his dialogue gets TOO ahead of itself in terms of the groundbreaking history they are about to make. it's as if they had Doc Brown take them a decade into the future to see their impact, and then come back to present time to say it will be great. That bugged me with the Jackie Robinson biopic "42," and it annoys me even more here. Plus, Malek bounces in and out of being straightforward portrayal and SNL parody. And let's not even get started on the excessive dramatic license taken with Mercury's life. It's borderline tragic. Yeah, people like this movie. but so much seems reasoned with "I love the music." Then, go home, pop on iTunes and listen, or YouTube and watch the real Live Aid. Do that, and you really honor Mercury's legacy. Watch "Bohemian Rhapsody," and line his bandmates' pockets. 

Special Features: Do I need to see the full Live Aid dramatized performance? Judging by some of the above comments, you can figure the answer. but that is the main piece of the special features on the Blu-ray. Coupled with it is the behind the scenes look of recreating it. Toss in interviews with the cast, a focus on Malek "transforming" into Mercury, and the film's trailers (digital code, too), and you round out the ho-hum extras of a less-than-ho-hum movie.

Final Call: "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a little silhouetto of a larger-than-life man whose legacy should've been spared from this monstrosity of a movie. 

Grade: D+