Bohemian Rhapsody & other musicals

Had just finished watching the trailer for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, when there popped on the screen an invite to watch the first teaser trailer of the forthcoming Bohemian Rhapsody. So, they have finished the movie despite the problems with director Bryan Singer who was fired from the project. Dexter Fletcher took over and brought the picture in on time for its coming playdate on Nov. 2.

And what a picture it seems to have turned out to be. Those few seconds show a fantastic grasp of the ‘70s rock era. Ben Hardy as drummer Roger Taylor, Gwillyn Lee as lead guitarist Brian May and Joseph Mazzello as bassist John Deacon fully embody their Queen members counterparts. Think goosebumps galore liberally mixed with respect and admiration for those great artists who shared their music with the world.

And it felt awesome watching Rami Malek as the band’s extraordinary lead singer and songwriter, the flamboyant Freddie Mercury. I do not think Malek did the actual singing. Mercury had a three-octave vocal range. But who cares, he seems to be as real as Mercury. Given what the trailer shows, Malek might just add an Oscar to his Emmy for Mr. Robot with his performance in this movie. 

Bohemian Rhapsody is a biographical musical picture about 15 years in the life of the great British band Queen. It follows the band members during their creation of their biggest hits, We Are The Champions, We Will Rock You, Crazy Little Thing Called Love and the title song. It culminates in Queen’s historic performance on the eve of Live Aid in 1985. This was made poignant by the fact that Mercury was then trying to put together his life that had spiraled out of control while facing a death sentence from A.I.D.S.

It is still a long way off to November but I am already looking forward to watching Bohemian Rhapsody. Besides no matter how the entire film turns out, I am already assured of excellent music by Queen. 

Then, I can really use the sight of live actors playing humans on screen. You have to admit that movies are now bogged down with the seemingly unquenchable demand for robots, monsters, superheroes, etc. by moviegoers. So, I am happy to welcome any picture with humans, who behave like humans. Even when they sing and dance in musicals. Admit it, we do feel like doing that at times. That must be the reason why, musicals are suddenly big at the box-office and a lot of them are currently in the works. 

There are remakes like A Star Is Born where Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who is also directing, take on iconic performances from three previous versions. Think Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Janet Gaynor, James Mason, Kris Kristofferson and Fredric March. That means there is A Star Is Born for several generations.

Since today’s pop star has a much bigger audience than a singing star during the ‘30s era, this version will be literally big. In fact, there will be scenes featuring actual performances at huge music festivals like Coachella and Glastonbury. As for the music, Cooper will do his own singing and The Gaga is working on new original songs. Maybe there will be a hit as big as Evergreen among them.

I have no qualms about Gaga becoming an actress. This girl always pulls surprises. But I am not sure about Cooper being right for the part of a washed-up country singer. Still, he is a very good actor and that teaser, though short, shows great promise.

Then there are others to look forward to like the Bye Bye Birdie remake where I am quite sure that Jennifer Lopez, perfect as a Latina secretary, will sing and dance up a storm. Do you think Beyoncé will finally agree to play the slave girl title role in the Elton John-Tim Rice musical Aida where Christina Aguilera will be the female pharaoh Amneris? What about Billie Joe Armstrong? Talks have it that the Green Day frontman will play the lead in the Tony Award-winning American Idiot.  

A December 2019 playdate has been set for the Wicked movie but no casting has been announced. Wonder who will play Elphaba. She has to be able to hit those high notes and look beautiful while colored green. Disney is doing an Aladdin live action remake but will it be a musical? Oh my, everybody will miss Robin Williams as the Genie. A new Lion King is also coming. There will be no problem if that one is a musical as Donald Glover who plays Simba can sing funk, soul and even rap.