USA | 2006 | Directed by Chris Davies
Logline: A two-part quasi-documentary that focuses on the music and performance of legendary British rock band Queen.
A curious production; low-fi, subjective, oddly selective, yet passionate, detailed and informative, this is an independent critical analysis of the music of Queen, the bombastic English group of highly talented musicians that soared through the 70s, stumbled into the 80s, launched an impressive comeback, and ended abruptly with the death of its extraordinary frontman, Freddie Mercury.
Released exclusively in Australasia and not authorised by Queen, their management or record company, Queen – Under Review is primarily aimed at the hardcore fans, but actually works surprisingly well for those who are familiar with the band, but keen to understand the power of their appeal a little more, and to be able to put their career history into context with the history of rock and pop music. This is a band that rested strongly on the cult of personality: that of superstar singer Mercury, but brandished a gloriously unique style through the virtuoso guitar playing of Brian May, the often unsung hero of the band.
It is Mercury and May who receive the most attention in this two-disc individually-released package, although drummer Roger Taylor and bassist John Deacon do get a look in from time to time. The first DVD, 1973 – 1980 charts the formation of Smile and the subsequent recruitment of one Farrokh Bulsara in 1971 who would soon after adopt the stage name of Freddie Mercury and suggest the moniker Queen. The music and performance analysis traces the band through eight albums; Queen (1973), Queen II (1974), Sheer Heart Attack (1974), A Night at the Opera (1975), A Day at the Races (1976), News of the World (1977), Jazz (1978), and The Game (1980).
The critics are made up of a motley crew of slightly eccentric, somewhat rough-around-the-edges English rock scholars, journalists, disc jockeys and musos, which include broadcaster and Mercury pal Paul Gambaccini, author Malcolm Dome, guitar journo Simon Bradley, magazine editor Nigel Williamson, pop music writer Chris Welch, DJ Ben Jones, and author Daryl Easlea. They are all, obviously, Queen fans and aficionados, but they offer honest appraisal and criticism. You might not agree with everything they say, but they say it with gusto and (ironically) without pomposity.
The second DVD release covers 1980 – 1991 ; from the soundtrack to Flash Gordon (1980), through albums Hot Space (1982), The Works (1984), A Kind of Magic (1986), The Miracle (1989), Innuendo (1991), and Made in Heaven (1995), which used recordings Freddie Mercury had made with the band before he died. The fromage factor is more evident during these latter albums, but nevertheless, the consummate level of showmanship never wavered. It also features excerpts of what is now regarded by pop and rock music experts as one of the greatest bursts of stadium-level performance (which was roughly 17-mins on stage) in the history of rocknroll: Queen at Live Aid in July 1984.
Combining rare live footage, select promo clip excerpts, and a few brief moments of Freddie being interviewed in Australia in the mid-80s this two-part quasi-documentary is an intriguing insight into the compositional machinations of one of rock’s most outrageous and mercurial bands. The critics offer intelligent opinions on select tracks from every album. It’s a little frustrating, because of the independent unofficial nature of the production, that direct exclusive interviews with the surviving band members aren’t included, and much of the live footage is not just rare, but raw in quality.
For musicians, especially those who lean toward the hard rock sound, and, of course, Queen lovers, this is essential viewing. “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality. Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see. I’m just a poor boy, I need no sympathy, because I’m easy come, easy go, little high, little low. Any way the wind blows doesn’t really matter to me, to me …”
LIVE CLIP:
Queen – Under Review (1973 – 1980) & (1980 – 1991) DVDs are courtesy of Umbrella Entertainment, many thanks!
