Eurovision Song Contest review - written by a fan!

My goal was to write the first review of the movie Eurovision Song Contest here on the platform. I have been waiting for the movie to be released since I first heard of it, and that is why I watched it only a few hours after Netflix released. But, even though I was quick to watch it, I haven't been that fast to actually share my thoughts on the movie. But, the time is now ready to share my thoughts on the movie!

I am a fan of the Eurovision Song Contest

So far, I have read reviews written by Gooddream and by Nameless16. The first hadn't even heard of the actual event, while Nameless16 knew about the event, even though he/she never actually spent time watching the event.

Well, now it is time for a third perspective... I am the guy who is watching the Eurovision Song Contest every single year. I don't do it because I love the music, but simply because it has been a part of me since childhood, a part of my culture, and somehow, a strange highlight for me.

And that is the reason why I have been looking forward to the movie. So, let's jump at it!

I am not a big Will Ferrell fan...

I often feel as if Will Ferrell is just joking with everything. As a result, he is just making any movie into a parody. Well, he doesn't really do so with the Eurovision Contest. The reason is simple. Even though the characters played by Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams are stupid and someone that would never have succeeded in the real competition. But!

Some thoughts on the music

The music we hear in the movie, including Volcano Man which we hear in the first seconds of the movie, could easily have taken part in the actual contest. The same can be said about the rest of the songs we hear presented by Fire Saga. And they are not alone about that.

When you see the competitors in the Icelandic national competition (early in the movie), they all have the Eurovision atmosphere to them.

For those who didn't know it, there is a habit in each nation to have a national competition first where people vote among many songs and artists, and the best is then sent to the Eurovision competition. There are some exceptions (for example England where a jury just decides for themselves who they will send), but the general rule is for the people to vote in a national competition first.

When it is time for the big Eurovision competition, it could have been the real competition we witness. The songs and the performances (with dances and more) and 100% Eurovision style. As a result, they have managed to make this into a serious movie without just making fun of the actual event (which could easily have been done).

You can even listen to Pierce Brosnan speak Icelandic in the movie

Eurovision is a strange show...

Towards the end of the movie, Rachel McAdams asks if the Russian contestant is gay. The answer is clear: There are no gays in Russia. You can easily feel the politics coming forth here. And even though this speaks about Russia today, it is also a strange thing that deals with Eurovision. Conchita Wurst won for Austria a few years ago, and it has been heavily debated if he/she would have won if she had been a normal guy just singing. But, because of her special look (female look, but with a beard), many say that it felt politically right to support her, and that is why she won. If you haven't heard of her, she can actually be seen in the movie in some of the scenes from the party in the house of the Russian performer (together with several other celebrities from Eurovision history).

I am not going to debate it, but in 2020, Hungary actually said NO to participating in the contest. Most people believe it is a way of saying no to the very liberal views presented and favored so heavily in the competition.

No matter what, Will Ferrell and the crew doesn't spend much time thinking and debating this in the movie, but they touch it very little. That is actually great!

So, did I really like the movie?

I have been surprised to see so many positive reviews of the movie. I though this would turn into slaughter, but somehow, people seem to like the movie. I have got to agree, to a certain extent. The music is what saves the movies. The story in itself is quite stupid, but the Eurovision feeling actually comes through on the screen, so when you see the giant stage, the show on stage, and listen to the rhythms... I simply felt awesome.

As a result, I'll give this movie a 7/10 score!

If you have never seen any Eurovision show and know nothing about it, take a look at the following clips to see some actual performances from the competition, just so you know what the real thing is about before you get started.

Russian grandmothers singing

Swedish winner of Eurovision in 2012

This Ukrainian artist almost won Eurovision

The Austrian man, looking like a woman, but with a beard (won Eurovision)

If you have seen these clips, you will not at all be shocked when you see the Volcano Man clip at the start of the Eurovision Song Contest movie on Netflix, and you will not consider any other performance shown in the movie as strange.

Big credits too...

I have got to say that those behind the music in the movie are my biggest heroes. They have written great songs for this movie, and they have made it worth watching and you might actually want to listen to some of the songs twice... Who knows? Maybe you will get to hear Volcano Man on the radio in a few days?