Bohemian Rhapsody

"Freddie Mercury’s amazing voice and showmanship lifted Brit band Queen above pretentious pomp-rock, as with Rami Malek’s bravura central performance here as the larger-than-life lead singer with operatic aspirations, a defiantly sexual persona with rock god egomania turned way up to eleven."

"Why is Bryan Singer’s biopic about Queen frontman Freddie Mercury called Bohemian Rhapsody? If the answer is simply that this is the name of a smash-hit song, then the very core of the director's famously troubled production is an ethos as deep as a bumper sticker. Slap a couple of well-known words on the poster to attract some eyeballs, and who cares if the title makes sense?"

"With a performance as commanding as Rami Malek's at its centre, why isn't Bohemian Rhapsody a better movie?"

"The energy of Malek's imitation helps to bind what amounts to a series of gossipy but harmless rock-world anecdotes into something vaguely coherent."

"Bohemian Rhapsody, an eight-year abomination in the making...cannot claim to have achieved even wiki-movie status."

"A bolder film might have explored the relationship between Mercury's hedonism, his mostly closeted sexuality and his on and off-stage personas in a more nuanced way."

"Bohemian Rhapsody is an often irritating and occasionally unforgivable film. It is also one hell of a good night out. Go see it."

"Appropriately for a group known for its theatrical, crowd-pleasing tunes, this biopic carries itself lightly, serving up familiar plot points with panache and a sense of humour."

"If you're after a stirring account of Queen's musical life, then this one is for you. However, if you're after an authentic retelling of Mercury's off-stage life, you'll be let down."

"Rami Malek is convincing enough under pressure to play Mercury well, and as the Hollywood version of the story of Queen, I enjoy it quite a bit."

"Someday another feature about Queen might go deeper."

"...it is not necessary to like Queen's music in order to find this film watchable and mildly enjoyable."

"The film has a secret weapon: Rami Malek. As Mercury he is spectacular."