Brian May is an incredible musician. In fact, as a founding member of Queen, he’ll forever be known as one of the musical minds that helped shape rock music as we know it. But one thing Brian May isn’t is a film critic. However, after the Golden Globes win for “Bohemian Rhapsody,” he seems to think he’s figured out why the Freddy Mercury/Queen biopic has been criticized so harshly by critics.
Speaking to members of the press after the Globes, May gave his reason for why he thinks critics weren’t accurate in their assessments of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” “The mistake that critics made was reviewing the trailer instead of reviewing the film. They jumped to conclusions. Once people stake their claim, it’s hard for them to withdraw,” said May (via Deadline).
Well, that seems to be a bit reductive and insulting to the those who are actually professional critics. Take our own Kimber Myers, for example. She’s someone who has an opinion on film that I value highly. Her review of “Bohemian Rhapsody” feels like it was taking the entire film into consideration when she wrote, “This jumbled take on the legend is squawky, sexless, and shallow, assaulting the senses as it offers little insight or real depth into Mercury or the band he fronted.”
And she wasn’t alone in that feeling. Currently, on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, “Bohemian Rhapsody” currently sits at a dismal 62%. That’s just barely enough for “Fresh” rating, but leagues below the ratings of films “Bohemian Rhapsody” was competing against like “A Star is Born” (90%), “Black Panther” (97%), “BlacKkKlansman” (95%), and “If Beale Street Could Talk” (94%).
Needless to say, either most every critic completely ignored the finished film and only judged based on the trailer or “Bohemian Rhapsody” just isn’t the best film of the year. Now, that isn’t to say that people are wrong for enjoying it. There’s plenty of stand-up-and-cheer moments in the film, mostly to do with Rami Malek’s performance and the music of Queen. And yes, it’s okay for Brian May to think the massive box office blockbuster about his band is the best movie ever. However, it’s silly to judge all critics in such a reductive manner.