Rocketman vs Bohemian Rhapsody (AKA Musical Biopic Fantasy vs Reality)

[@Miaa0303]

I think even if you wouldn't know anything about Elton John, Rocket Man stands on its own without even needing to be a biopic. Wonderful direction, character arc, musical performances. Taron Egerton is fantastic.

[@80steen44]

It was criminal that Taron didn't receive at least an Oscar nomination as Elton John. Especially when you consider that he received nominations from BAFTA and SAG and won a Golden Globe, as well as a Satellite. He nails Elton's phrasing on the songs, sings them beautifully and perfectly, and also Elton's performance facial expressions, his walk and his run, and all along he's convincingly dramatic and authentically comedic

[@Ringmaster777]

Finally. Some one gets it. Rocketman is easily the better Bohemian Rhapsody.

[@2leftframes]

To me, it's not even close.

[@One.Zero.One101]

@@2leftframes I don't know man, even though I agree with a lot of your points, I still think Bohemian is the more entertaining movie. If someone paid me to rewatch either of those, I'd rewatch Bohemian. I think it's because of the acting. I just never bought Egerton as Elton even though I tried to for the whole movie.

[@CameronClark-rt7dm]

@@One.Zero.One101Do you think Bohemian Rhapsody does a good job of telling the actual story of Queen in the form of a movie?

[@choerim]

Rocketman is one of my favorite movies and I thoroughly enjoyed all the praise. As a side note, these two movies are a bit of a controversial topic in my family. I watched both of them knowing very little about the artists, came away as a fan of their music and fell head over heels for Rocketman. My brother, who has been a fan of Queen and Elton John for years, hated both movies and even left the theatre during the underwater scene in Rocketman. I'm still baffled by this.

[@2leftframes]

I'm surprised to hear a fan of Elton's wouldn't love Rocketman! Siblings are weird ;)

[@braveminefly2006]

Rocketman is easily one of the best movies of 2019 and probably one of if not the best musical biophics ever some people in my class who watched musical biophics called me a "Queen hater" cuz i didnt like Bohemian Rhapsody even though way before Bohemian Rhapsody i implied to my friends a bit to much that Queen was my favorite band the musical scenes of Elton were astounding, i love how the movie starts at Elton at his lowest spot so anything happy comes in his story it will all come down to rehab i also like how they handled Eltons relationship with Renate and his struggles with it then Freddie with Mary after watching this video defenitly giving my friend a big hug

[@beckmannm]

I think you really hit the nail on the head at 14:30, that Rami lacked Freddie's charisma. Freddie had *something* that is very difficult to describe or capture. The charm, the camp wasn't there. So then when the movie does live performances or gets to the recreation of live aid, all I wanted to do was watch the ACTUAL performances, see the REAL Freddie performing, which makes the movie kind of pointless. If I just want to watch live aid, I can do that! And the original is better! Taron and Jamie Bell made me *believe* Elton and Bernie are song-soulmates and truly love each other. It really is one of the strongest parts of the movie.

[@bd1p]

I'm a huge Queen fan, I saw them live in 2016 with Adam Lambert fronting, and was really excited for the biopic. After it came out, I was pretty dissapointed, in not just the film making, but also how they seemed to demonize the gay relationships freddy had, while marketing the straight ones as perfect and ideal. Rocketman, in my opinion, did everything Rhapsody did and with more respect to the focus character of the biopic, great video!

[@loveforchickennuggets6412]

One of the things i dislike about rhapsody is they created their own timeline and characters, like how did they create “we will rock you” when freddie was in his mustache era, he was diagnosed way before his actual diagnosis, mike myres, ect. As a loving queen fan these kind of bothered me and immediately knew that they were not faithful to his story and just wanted to go through with it and get to live aid, also this movie is made just for fan service.

[@2leftframes]

I'm ok with them bending timelines to create a more cohesive narrative. But here they did it just to craft needless drama or some cheap plays for sympathy. Who is that for? Nobody dislikes Freddie OR Queen! We already sympathize with them immensely! This was their chance to show us MORE, and I feel they chickened out.

[@lindsaycutter2834]

Hi Graeme, just feeding the algorithm. I stand by my comment from a year ago, that Rocketman deserved the oscar for costumes and editing. Even though I can’t name one person who puts much stock in the academy awards, and they even cut tech categories from the broadcast this year which is bs of the highest magnitude. Oscar winners do get to join the academy and with that seat they also get a pay increase, and I do believe that the crew of Rocketman deserve that much! Love this video still, I hope this channel gets the attention it needs!

[@2leftframes]

Thanks for the support Lindsay! I don't like to put stock in the Oscars either. But what they support and award definitely influences what people watch, and the winner's future earning potential. So as annoying as they are, I keep holding out hope that they'll improve. But so long as you can buy on Oscar win, that's unlikely to ever change :(

[@EllySensei]

Commenting for the algorithm! Seeing both movies, it is definitely fine to compare both of their parallels and narrative throughput. BoRhap however, you can see that you will like the film more the more you don't know about Queen, trying to make up storylines, highs and lows, making up a manager that didn't exist, a breakup (which, I have noted that May and Taylor made solo albums before Freddie) that didn't happen is a definite blow to the Queen die-hard fans. Not really fun to beat around the bush about the bad editing and bad pacing, but that has to be said about one of the weaker parts of the movie. Rocketman on the other hand, did feel more genuine, as a casual viewer, the amplification of major narrative throughlines made the film more expressive, so you can empathize with him, feel that he's slipping away, using the songs as a narrative progress instead of servicing the fans. I have no problems with changing the story a bit to fit a narrative, but making up stories to create narratives that weren't there in the first place was a major weak point in BoRhap. Whilst in Rocketman, it changed the storyline to amplify the emotion. It really isn't a documentary, moreso an interpretation of his life. Say, watching your video again, I definitely saw some differences, good thing you corrected and mention Freddie's bisexuality, as was an issue on the first video. Cheers, mate, hope to see more from this channel.

[@EllySensei]

I may be biased by saying that I love the works MARV Films and Matthew Vaughn gets out ever since the Kingsman movies, and was really happy they were the ones producing Rocketman, and looks like MARV and Rocket Films are comfortable taking the R-Rated risk. Well, that's an added fact haha.

[@brandonspencer6834]

I saw rocketman first. It actually made me want to watch bohemian rhapsody. It wasn't a terrible movie. But I feel rocketman is an actual good movie. I think bohemian rhapsody was let down by the writing and the pg13 rating.

[@lunaicfalaise5097]

that scene where mary tells freddie he's gay when he tries to come out to her as bisexual is the one reason i think i have fond memories of the movie--that scene had me weeping in the theater because it's the only time I've ever seen biphobia presented on screen in a way that even approached nuance. It didn't get there, but it was something that really affected 16-year-old me, and im glad this video touches on it.

[@dx.feelgood5825]

Algorithm boost: I just adore how you can really feel the love from Rocketman. Hell, one of my favorite things to tell people about the film is that Elton gifted Taron the first earring he purchased for himself. Also, i feel it also has the most leeway with the timeline fuckups. The setup of rehab already gives you the perfect explanation. If Elton is in rehab, explaining his life story, and he's largely been fucked up for a lot of it. So it makes perfect sense that Elton would misremember dates and events.

[@ghostcat4609]

I love Rocketman, I always cry and since I saw the movie i listen to Eltons music much more often, wich didn’t really happen after I saw Bohemian Rhapsody. Another awesome music movie is The Dirt, it’s much darker but that’s because of the band Mötley Crüe. You might like it as well :)

[@vyxxen3159]

Engagement for the engagement god! I totally missed this one on the other channel so I'm so glad you've uploaded it here too!

[@2leftframes]

Glad you found it this time around at least. Cheers!

[@RPGLoverFF]

Don't mind me, just feeding the algorithm beast. That said, as someone who both really enjoyed Bohemian Rhapsody and has a crippling guilty pleasure in biopics even if they are run of the mill, this was a really great perspective and watch. I hope the channel gets more traction soon.

[@2leftframes]

I have issues with Rhapsody. But it isn't outright bad! Just formulaic. And considering it's basically just a bunch of Queen songs, I could see it making for a perfect comfort watch movie xD

[@SosAbyd]

I'm so excited for this new channel actually.

[@2leftframes]

The funny thing is, this was something like the 4th video originally uploaded to 2 Left Thumbs. It managed to get about 10,000 views over the last few years. We'll see how it does long term over here instead!

[@SosAbyd]

@@2leftframes well i think its a great idea. And you now that I will be here for ever video you upload whatever it is

[@alliesangalli1757]

Great video, Graeme! I love listening to you analyze things. I definitely gotta check out Rocketman now

[@2leftframes]

Woohoo! I hope you enjoy it :)

[@jonathanfarrell2378]

Thanks for a very good presentation, explaining details needed to know. Much appreciated!

[@cinemagoose]

I love Rhapsody and I haven't seen Rocketman, but I think that if I had I probably would like it more, just based off all the footage I've seen over the years.

[@2leftframes]

Definitely give it a whirl! Treat those Goose eyes of yours :)

[@parzivalthestormtrooper5017]

I knew I’d seen this video before! Really confused me as to why it wasn’t in my watch history despite it having been seared into my brain for at least a year

[@2leftframes]

Wow! I'm glad it made such an impression! I hope you enjoy the tweaks and additions I've made in this version :)

[@davidyurch4446]

Here's my thing with Elvis, and with biopics in general. To me, biopics sort of need the touch of an auteur filmmaker. In order for anything to be done with the genre, I think they need to be put in the hands of directors that are almost a genre unto themselves, and have the power to choose subjects that fit their style and the themes of their other work. I ultimately see a film like Bohemian Rhapsody as a film that could've been made by anyone. One of the things that impressed me about the Elvis movie is the fact that it's possible to draw parallels between Elvis Presley as a Baz Luhrmann character and other characters he's written, particularly Satine in Moulin Rouge. Satine wants to be a great actor (with Sarah Bernhardt being to her what James Dean is to Elvis), she talks and sings songs about flying away, and she is (not my words) the most famous whore in the world, but a whore nonetheless. Elvis has all of these things in common with Satine, but in a way that feels specific to him, without it feeling like Baz Luhrmann just overlayed a character he'd already written onto Elvis Presley.

[@clivebixby206]

absolutely loved your video. you just got a new sub. keep up the great work 👏👏👏

[@2leftframes]

Clive, you smooth talker, you!

[@JudahDeNose]

Amazing video, loved the references to P(H)W's video

[@xBINARYGODx]

The happy gay couple thrown in at the end of Bohemian Rhapsody, a film where Freddie treats gay men like they are scabs to be flicked off after use and where his true love that no man can compete with is a woman - is like when someone says a bunch of bullshit but then tries to disclaimer their way out of it at the beginning of end. "I dont hate this person, but here 2 hours of me shitting all over them". The movie seems to paint his gayness a specific way for 99% of the run time, and then at the end say "nah, see, he also can love a man that way too!". So really, the movie wants to you sell you a bi man who has tons of internal homophobia such that woman are for love and men are only for sex. But that was not who that man was in real life.

[@xBINARYGODx]

also, the way what's his name played Mercury was kind of gross - he was all "oh yes DARLING" it was like watching Sunset Boulevard.

[@johandiaz928]

I haven't ever agreed with a review more than now

[@philj877]

Yeah, i allways thought rocket man was better than bohemian rhapsody. Glad so many people agree

[@rasmakonnen3477]

Sacha Baron Cohen was perfect for this

[@Eve_heart]

I must comment and feed the bottomless pit of the algorithm. But really, Rocketman is so much better than Bohemian Rhapsody…movie wise. Song wise Bohemian easily takes the cake imo.

[@2leftframes]

Fair enough. Queen is one of the best after all!

[@shadicTPZ]

I swear this is a re-upload, or I'm just imagining things up.

[@2leftframes]

It was moved from 2 Left Thumbs, to the new 2 Left Frames. But I updated the video during the transition! Tweaked a bit of editing. Expanded on a few points. And included a super brief look at Elvis. Hopefully enough changed to make a rewatch feel worthwhile :)

[@theouterlimits7788]

Regardless of whether opinion it is Bohemian Rhapsody was immensely for successful than Rocketman. 910 million vs 195 million

[@2leftframes]

It's WILD how much Bohemian Rhapsody overperformed. I wonder how much each movie would have made if they had swapped their R and PG-13 ratings?

[@frde2190]

Haven’t seen rocket man but by all accounts it seems like a much better movie than bo rap. Bo rap probably wouldn’t have made as much money if the ratings were swapped but still probably more than Rocketman

[@normalasamsudin1891]

​@@2leftframesBR did not over perform. Queen was and still is big in Europe and Asia especially. Elton and elvis ... big mostly in America... they wii never make as much money globally.

[@2leftframes]

@@normalasamsudin1891 Bohemian Rhapsody's box office performance is something that still gets talked about 5 years later. Even AFTER its opening weekend, forecasters were still predicting in the ballpark of $500M worldwide.

[@ElperDIDO26]

I like very much these vids

[@annamariacantamessa5358]

Will you review Tolkien?

[@2leftframes]

Never saw it. I really like Nicholas Hoult! But that movie has never interested me

[@bitis182]

Why does this video have such low views??

[@2leftframes]

KZbin likes to beat up on new channels. Little by little, hopefully each comment will help lift it out of the starting pit. Thank you for the assist!

[@normalasamsudin1891]

Because it gives a very biased view.

[@stephenfurches5091]

"Edgar"-ton?

[@CrazyChemistPL]

I don't think you can go quie as far into controversial territory when your biopic's subject is not longer alive, compared to when that subject is still around and can weigh in on what they are comfortable with sharing. Rocketman was able to go so in depth into Elton's livestyle only because Elton was able to give it his blessing. And I'm not trying to defend Rhapsody with that, while I had fun with it, I found the movie contrived and formulaic and it playing fast and loose with the timeline annoyed me and never felt like giving it another go.

[@parrotbt2124]

Awesome video!

[@2leftframes]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@JustWandering]

Love this!

[@80steen44]

BR benifted from good timing. Tgere hadn’t been a good frontman or solo performer music biopic since Walk the Line in 05/06. Rocketman and Elvis are both way better movies and performances. If RR followed either of them it would have more of a joke

[@rogerwhittaker4189]

I honestly prefer rocket man to Freddy Mercury.

[@jasonlewis9240]

Sacha Baron Cohen looks more like Freddie than rami

[@daisyperegrino6380]

Bohemian rhapsody movie gross box office 9.10.8 million dollars...Rocketman movie not even got 200 million dollars gross .Infact Rockman was ban in two biggest countries China & Russia

[@LitterBug123]

W Video

[@donutz9]

Bohemian Rhapsody Was it manga or a Jojo reference?

[@Gacu001]

I'm too much of a basic bitch then, cause I liked Bohemian Rhapsody more than the other one. While feeling that none are AMAZING movies the pacing of the first one was more captivating and I was much more invested and entertained than with Rocketman; but I was probably biased because I like many Queen songs and not a single one from Elton, and also I tend to dislike musicals.

[@2leftframes]

Well at least you're aware of your biases! Nothing wrong with that :)

[@i8dacookies890]

Dang, Tom Hanks did ANOTHER performance that's really bad where he can't keep an accent?

[@2leftframes]

Maybe this is a more common stumbling point in his career than I first thought... Which one are you thinking? I imagine lots of people don't like his accent in The Terminal? It's been a while since I've seen it, but I don't think it bothered me personally. And I haven't seen Captain Phillips. I think that's the other one I've heard get a lot of flack?

[@i8dacookies890]

@@2leftframes No, Pinocchio.

[@2leftframes]

@@i8dacookies890 Ugh. I fully skipped that one. It looked horrible! I'll hold out for Guillermo del Toro's version later this year!

[@actionstudios9502]

Elvis is bad

[@2leftframes]

I liked parts of it. And there was enough style there, that I think I prefer it to Bohemian Rhapsody? But to me, neither hold a candle to Rocketman.

[@normalasamsudin1891]

Elton John is a boring performer. His biopic is a fantasy disguised as a biopic in a musical form. Not a fan. Sorry.

[@DakotaFiles]

i don't have much to say for a comment, but i am obligated to feed the insatiable 𝓪𝓵𝓰𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓶.