Hooked On Queen

An interesting notion, this. Take eight of legendary rock band Queen's songs (including "Flash," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," "Play the Game," and "Under Pressure") played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and cut sports footage--surfing, football, skiing, skydiving, motorcycle racing, etc.--to the music. Granted that renewed interest in 70s classic rock band Queen has soared after the AIDS benefit concerts, following the death of lead singer Freddie Mercury in 1991, the songs lose something in translation here. And while the video box cover hawks the "meticulous editing of spectacular sports footage...that truly captures the feeling of Queen's music and lyrics," I fail to see the connection between, say, the classic "Bohemian Rhapsody"--the lament of a teenage killer to his mother on the eve of his execution--and figure-skating on ice. Besides, excepting the choral passages in "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Flash," the lyrics are nowhere to be heard on this video. While some of the sports footage--which varies widely in quality and interest--is somewhat enjoyable, the tape begs the obvious question: who is this for? Queen fans? Not hardly. Sports fans? We don't think so. Not a necessary purchase. (See INFANTASTIC LULLABYES, VOL. 2 for availability.)