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Whatever you think of QUEEN

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Bakerlooline said:
It was interesting for a more engaged fan but it wouldn’t have been as interesting for the movie going public. It isn’t all “bollocks” as there has been a strong perception for a long time that this actually was the case and as we all know, perception is reality! The band were tired and wanted to try their own things, Roger was already on his second solo album at this point for instance, the Works Tour; although headline grabbing in terms of their audience sizes in South America, saw some of Queen’s poorest live performances (the Wembley Arena gigs are very poor). So the general perception was that Queen were “washed up” stands up; this is obviously difficult to portray in a movie with time constraints, so they have done what they needed to do. I agree Sun City was a big factor in them not being invited to play a part in the Band Aid single (though the band have disputed this), but Bob Geldof wanted them for Live Aid from day 1 - this by his own admission, it’s talked about in the Magic Years documentaries and how they, particularly Freddie had to be tracked down individually to get them to play, again Freddie was the last to commit. It wasn’t Mary that saved Freddie from oblivion in Munich, it was Barbara Valentin, she saw what the pressure of the big solo deal and Paul Prenter’s insidious manipulation were doing to him, and helped him realise this. But again, it’s easier told in the context of a one true love storyline. The money involved in Freddie’s solo deal was also a major factor, more so than the album itself.

The May, Taylor thing is crap honestly. They loved him and clearly still do. See how vehemently they defended him in the days and weeks following his death - even when a lot of the allegations made were based on truth. Freddie was no angel and neither were the others, but I truly don’t believe there is an agenda in this movie to make the rest of the band look good at Freddie’s expense.
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Having read a lot in queen I think you are pretty much spot on.
 

foggy said:
I double Imax’d it. Even took our lass the second time- I’m starting to drift off to the pictures these days now I’ve got a bit of time on my hands and it being all very relaxing.

My Queen background is watching in wonder, the Bohemian Rhapsody video as a 6/7 year old, nobody did that, we had lasses dancing when the band didn’t turn up, plus I didn’t have a f***ing clue what it was all about which helped, the anthems after, that concert with all the Love Of My Life singing, the Bowie one, then really liking them as a young teenager with The Works album, aye anar, but the bloke could sing like no one else.
Geoff Capes as part of some panel reviewing the Break Free video on Swap Shop or summat saying it wasn’t right blokes dressing up as lasses and whatnot. But it was, even then to me, because it was Freddie.

Then watching Live Aid, still the best voice out there, then going to the hotch potch to see them the year after, to having to put my weetabix down unfinished while getting ready for work on a Monday morning, when the telly told me he had died.

Now like then I don’t give two shites about his private life. I’ve read the film reviews. They all agree it’s crap with a good lead actor. Yes he was excellent if a bit short. I want to be a critic. Maybe a food critic. So I can steal a living as well.

So the fillum then. I was enthralled. It took me back to those times in my life and what I was doing. I’m glad it stopped at Live Aid. The Wembley bit took me right back to how I felt then except I wasn’t watching it on a little telly with a fat back on it, it was on a f***ing massive screen with amazing camera angles and sound that shook the f***ing seat.

I was a bit emotional truth be told.
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Enjoyed reading that . That they sounded ( Freddie's voice and the harmonies, and the tone of Brians guitar) and looked like nobody else, is what struck me when I was growing up. I'm off to see it (for a second time) at the weekend. Can't wait.
 
@foggy thanks for sharing, nice read.

I agree with you that Live Aid was the perfect climax.

And I think you've hit the nail on the head with how the Wembley footage is so emotional.

In 85 I think our family telly was 26in. Seeing the footage re-enacted in IMAX is simply awesome.

And that "helicopter" shot that sweeps down and across the crowd before going around the stage... Wow!
 
Ricci's Special Kebabs said:
f***ing love the intro of Radio Gaga, gives me goosebumps every time.
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First music I can remember was Star Wars but the first song I remember was Radio Ga-Ga - thought Freddie was the toughest bastard in the world when i first saw that video.

The original written lyrics to that and others are on display on Carnaby Street:

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