This compilation of Freddie Mercury's "solo" efforts is a true celebration! Songs and music videos on GRAND scale, from the exquisite performances with Montserrrat to the daring and notorious "Living On My Own," anyone who truly appreciates the joy an artist shares with people will never tire of this DVD.
The commercial muck that MTV/VH1 tried to pass off as music videos was crime, and it's more a crime that the videos on this DVD were largely ignored in the United States. These are what music videos are all about: sound and vision...and care. Freddie had a lot to do with the concept of each video, and never once do they overpower the music itself. Rather, the concepts accent the music. This is evident in the detail that went into recreations of past Queen and solo video sets to put together "The Great Pretender" (both video versions included), and the sets and costumes for masses of extras in every production.
As director David Mallet said, this was "Freddie being Freddie" and wow, Freddie was a wealth of ideas and talent. I found myself feeling very touched by the end of viewing this collection, and when the personal moments during "In My Defence" and the extended version of "The Great Pretender" were shown, I couldn't help but get a bit teary-eyed. Just seeing the faces on the extras in "Time" were priceless--these people loved Freddie immensely and I'll bet an experience they'll cherish forever.
"Living On My Own" was, as the CBS record company claimed, banned from US television due to the "perceived promiscuity"--I saw right through that load of bull immediately. Why is it okay that so many rock videos are saturated with "fantasy lesbian" sequences but showing the sheer joyous fun of "Living On My Own" is not? Because showing moustached and bearded men dancing together, many in leather, is somehow threatening (still) to people, or actually, straight men to whom the media feels we must make feel comfortable about what they watch. It's a fact a party (which this music video was) with a gay atmosphere is more honest and liberated than what you see on those advertisements for "wild party girls" college events...here, friends and fellow Queen members show what having a good time is all about!
Though most likely lip-synced, the live performances with Montserrat show the true appreciation the world has had for Freddie Mercury. Seeing all those people cheering and the performers obvious delight in participating is overwhelming to see and hear.
As director Mallet also said, "Freddie was one of the really great originals of the second half of the 20th century. There was nobody like Freddie. There was no-one even a bit like Freddie. There was just nobody like him at all." Bravo!!!!! Even if you weren't a big fan of Freddie Mercury or even Queen, this compilation will have a positive effect on you. I've never seen anything quite like this!
As director David Mallet said, this was "Freddie being Freddie" and wow, Freddie was a wealth of ideas and talent. I found myself feeling very touched by the end of viewing this collection, and when the personal moments during "In My Defence" and the extended version of "The Great Pretender" were shown, I couldn't help but get a bit teary-eyed. Just seeing the faces on the extras in "Time" were priceless--these people loved Freddie immensely and I'll bet an experience they'll cherish forever.
"Living On My Own" was, as the CBS record company claimed, banned from US television due to the "perceived promiscuity"--I saw right through that load of bull immediately. Why is it okay that so many rock videos are saturated with "fantasy lesbian" sequences but showing the sheer joyous fun of "Living On My Own" is not? Because showing moustached and bearded men dancing together, many in leather, is somehow threatening (still) to people, or actually, straight men to whom the media feels we must make feel comfortable about what they watch. It's a fact a party (which this music video was) with a gay atmosphere is more honest and liberated than what you see on those advertisements for "wild party girls" college events...here, friends and fellow Queen members show what having a good time is all about!
Though most likely lip-synced, the live performances with Montserrat show the true appreciation the world has had for Freddie Mercury. Seeing all those people cheering and the performers obvious delight in participating is overwhelming to see and hear.
As director Mallet also said, "Freddie was one of the really great originals of the second half of the 20th century. There was nobody like Freddie. There was no-one even a bit like Freddie. There was just nobody like him at all." Bravo!!!!! Even if you weren't a big fan of Freddie Mercury or even Queen, this compilation will have a positive effect on you. I've never seen anything quite like this!
