STANDING OVATION! - (10 stars out of 10)

Rating: 10/10 (18 February 2019)

The stage curtains open ...
Simply amazing - this biopic is what movie magic is all about. For those of us who grew up listening to Queen and Freddie Mercury, it cuts to the heart. It really reminds us of what a truly great loss he was. For anyone born after his passing in 1991, this film does a wonderful job in capturing Freddie - his dynamic voice and stage presence. Welcome to the club.
The movie starts in the early years when Freddie (Rami Malek) first meets Brian May and Roger Taylor when they were still with the band Smile. Having just lost their current lead singer, Freddie gets the job and together with new bassist, John Deacon, they begin to set the world on fire. Despite the flaws and inaccuracies in the band's actual timeline, this was a very well crafted film which covers all the important areas. Freddie's love for Mary Austin, his discovery of sexual orientation, the band's meteoric rise to fame right up to the film's (and band's) high point when they performed at Live Aid in front of over a billion viewers. Some even view this event as not only the best that the band had to offer ... but the best that rock n' roll in all history had to offer.
This film really reached me. It took me back to my younger years when music was so important to me - and Queen was a major part of that. I remember watching Live Aid that day, when it actually happened. I remember the exhilaration I felt, how I cheered even though my parents didn't understand - and how I treasured every moment of it. This film really brought it all back again.
This comes with the highest recommend possible. It is an important film to watch - vital, in fact. Rami Malek is deserving of an award for his performance. All I can say in closing is, thank you, Queen! Thank you, Freddie Mercury - rest in peace.