'Bohemian Rhapsody': Too much filler, not enough killer Queen

Rami Malek plays Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody.” (Courtesy photo | 20th Century Fox/Alex Bailey)

Reactions to “Bohemian Rhapsody” have ranged from adoration to disappointment. I’m among the latter. Late, beloved Queen frontman Freddie Mercury gets a disappointingly high-gloss biopic treatment, which buries otherwise game — and very talented — star Rami Malek in cliches.

I recently reviewed the film for my friends at Local Spins. Here’s an excerpt:

Biopics can be tricky, and a big-screen dramatization of Queen, especially iconic frontman Freddie Mercury, is even trickier.

For lack of a better phrase, he’s more special than most of his ilk. And that may be why director Bryan Singer’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a mile wide and only a couple inches deep; why it’s colorful and reasonably entertaining, albeit not particularly insightful; why it turns an icon into a cliche.

Be sure to read my complete review here.