A safe-by-the-numbers and flawed biopic only redeemed and elevated by Rami Malek's electrifying, superb and magnetic performance, and a remarkable homage of Queen's music

Rating: 6/10 (5 November 2018)

The biopic of British rock band, Queen and the lead, Freddie Mercury could have gone down as one of the greatest biopics but unfortunately it didn't give justice on the remarkable yet fascinating biography of its legendary rock band, especially its incandescent frontman, Freddie Mercury. Screenwriters Peter Morgan and Anthony McCarten, who's responsible for its remarkable and in-depth screenplays such as The Queen (2006), Frost/Nixon (2008), The Theory of Everything (2014), and Darkest Hour (2017), somehow had crafted a flawed and sanitized biopic screenplay that could have further explored an in-depth look on Freddie Mercury's character and biographical aspects particularly his relationships and homosexuality as well his AIDS diagnosis and death but ultimately fails miserably to convey it, and not to mention historical inaccuracies that bogs down the film itself. Even Bryan Singer's direction also falls flat in a uninspiring and clumsy way, considering the behind-the-scenes drama that could have single-handedly bring the film down, and some members of the cast (with exception of Rami Malek and Mike Myers) have also given an unmemorable and uninteresting performances. Even the pacing and editing are also sloppy and inconsistent. Still, the final product of the film also ended up creating a disservice on the legacy of the band and Mercury, himself.
On the brighter side, Rami Malek who was born to play Freddie Mercury truly transforms with a remarkable makeup as well the mustache, and nails it along with the mannerisms with an superb, electrifying, and magnetic performance with gravitas and bravado in which he redeems and elevate the film from its generic banality. Despite a limited screen-time, Mike Myers also makes an hilarious yet giggly cameo which highlighted the film's quality. Furthermore, the film has given a remarkable homage and celebration of Queen's iconic music and has done a wonderful work on recreating the dazzling Live Aid sequence especially the finale.
Despite the film's flaws and misconceptions, this is still worth enjoyable and watching for everyone; be as it might be, whether you're a die-hard Queen fan or not as it will rock everyone with hearts and inspiration.
As one quote from Queen to state it: "the show must go on".