Bohemian rhapsody first reviews: Rami malek shines in a disappointing biopic

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CRITICS SAY MALEK'S PERFORMANCE IS ELECTRIC AND THE MUSIC IS FULL OF ENERGY, BUT THE FILM OVERALL FOLLOWS A TOO-FAMILIAR TEMPLATE.

According to the first wave of reviews for Bohemian Rhapsody, the Freddie Mercury rock biopic is loud and full of energy, at least in the concert scenes, but it lacks character development and isn’t much more than a play-by-play collection of big moments. If anything, it’s Rami Malek‘s performance as Mercury and a depiction of Live Aid that are worth the price of a ticket.

Here’s what critics are saying about the movie:

DOES IT LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS?

The movie isn’t un-enjoyable to watch…But if you were expecting anything out of the ordinary, you might be disappointed.
– Anne Cohen, Refinery29

The movie is just a conventional rock flick, one all too ordinary for a man and a band that exemplified the extraordinary.
– Brian Truitt, USA Today

The movie, as it is, is fine. But it could have been so much more… I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
– Joanna Langfield, The Movie Minute

DOES RAMI MALEK KILL IT AS FREDDIE MERCURY, THOUGH?

He is absolutely brilliant.
– Caroline Preece, Den of Geek

Start engraving that academy award.
– Tara Brady, The Irish Times

Malek gives an incredible performance and is honestly the only reason to keep watching the movie.
– Jason Guerrasio, Business Insider

What Bohemian Rhapsody does have is an electric performance from Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury.
– Russ Fischer, Birth.Movies.Death.

He goes big and bold… But it’s the small moments and expressions that truly elevate his performance.
– Kimber Myers, The Playlist

It’s a satisfying, hammy turn in a movie with no other meat on the bone.
– David Ehrlich, IndieWire