To quote President (as of this writing) Obama, “let me be clear” about Queen: Greatest Video Hits: if you have already purchased the first and second volumes of this two-disc set separately, you don't need this re-packaged release. But even if you haven't bought the earlier editions, this is a questionable acquisition. The ‘70s and ‘80s career of Brit rock superstars Queen—lead singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, bass player John Deacon, and drummer Roger Taylor—is represented here in 33 music videos that are split over two discs. The first (covering 1974-1981) boasts the best songs, including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Somebody to Love,” “We Will Rock You,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Killer Queen,” etc., but suffers the most from washed out visuals and unimaginative videos (the majority simply present the band lip-syncing or in concert clips). There are a few creative exceptions—the animation in “Save Me,” the ‘50s greaser get-up for “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” and the brief flashes of nude women riding bikes in “Bicycle Race”—but by and large this is low-calorie (not to mention fuzzy and grainy) eye candy. Disc two (covering 1981-1989) features more innovative music videos (from big time directors including David Mallet, Russell Mulcahy, Mike Hodges, and the team of Rudi Dolezal and Hannes Rossacher), but musically many of the “hits” do not measure up (or were much bigger in Europe than America): “Las Palabras de Amor,” “Princes of the Universe,” “The Invisible Man,” “One Vision,” etc. (exceptions include “Under Pressure” and “Radio Ga Ga”). And the last music video to feature the late Mercury—“These Are the Days of Our Lives”—is conspicuously absent. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo, extras include audio commentary by May and Taylor. Optional, at best. (R. Pitman)
Queen: Greatest Video Hits
(2012) 2 discs. 134 min. DVD: $19.98. Eagle Rock Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Volume 27, Issue 6
Queen: Greatest Video Hits
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