REVIEW: ELVIS

4/5

Once Upon A Time In...Graceland.

159 Mins. Starring: Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thompson, Richard Roxburgh, Kelvin Harrison Jr., David Wenham, Dacre Montgomery, Kodi Smit-McPhee & Luke Bracey. Director: Baz Luhrmann. 

Once upon a time in Hollywood, Austin Butler played a long-haired, Manson family hippy who tried to kill Leonardo DiCaprio and got what for from an acid dipped cigarette high Brad Pitt and his dog. A newspaper front page about Sharon Tate's murder in this movie (played differently by Margot Robbie in Tarantino's picture), serving somewhat as an Easter Egg as well of sign of the times, historical document. Butler served as the devil (or something dumber than that as Austin played Tex), there to do the devil's business. But now slicked back with Brylcreem and shakin' his legs like Stevens, he's here to give you what they once called the "devil's music" as Baz Luhrmann's 'Elvis', with hell to pay from Tom Hanks of all people. Because we all know it was 'Forrest Gump' who taught The King everything he knew. Back then portrayed by, faded in blink and you'll miss it, Kurt Russell. Who between going 'Overboard' with wife Goldie Hawn, all the way to their Mr and Mrs. 'Christmas Chronicles'. Bringing hell with him in 'Tombstone'. And even playing a planet in 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2' (now that's Ego). Has made his career a labour of love and song to Presley. Only Vegas has played Elvis more. For more King Elvis in recent pop culture, time capsule memory, check this out. Iceman, Michael Shannon embodying Presley perfectly next to Spacey's President in 'Elvis & Nixon'. Despite not looking a thing like the King. And amazing artist Lo-Fang (who did a lightning string acoustic cover of 'You're The One That I Want' from Grease for a classic Chanel commercial starring Gisele Bündchen, directed by no other but Luhrmann himself) and his out of this world cover of Presley's 'Don't Be Cruel', with a ground control space signature of an Elvis Aaron soundbite on luck, love and the loneliness of being lonesome tonight in twilight. 

Return to sender this massive movie will never be. To be Frank, as amazing as 'Aretha's' Jennifer Hudson, or as timeless as Renée as 'Judy' for your recent memory. The King truly takes his throne on this one with Baz Luhrmann's unchained melody. Oh my love, ignited like that legendary Leguizamo gassed up, petrol station scene. Baz has always been known for that big bravado like the 'Moulin Rouge'. And the iconic 'Romeo + Juliet' director with a script flip for the modern twist's epic 'Elvis' is no exception. Energetic and unrelenting in all its gold like his gaudy 'Great Gatsby', only to switchblade flick to the more human heart and touch of drama in the films second half just like his reunion with old sport, DiCaprio. Yet still mixing the modern love of today with the timeless nature of a boy who would be King and give us a Fab Four and even all those BTS Army's you see in One Direction. Music and all the styles you see today just wouldn't be what they be without Presley. And Baz knows this. The Netflix 'Get Down' series director making his music box part of the palette of his cinematic canvas. Bringing the man who said he was "the first man since Elvis Presley to do black music so selfishly" Eminem and Cee-Lo Green together for an aptly titled song from the movie ('The King and I') that could even bring down Lady Gaga's Maverick 'Hold My Hand' from Tom Cruise's 'Top Gun' sequel. Summer smash for Summer smash. Spinning like the roulette wheels in Luhrmann's legacy remaking (the King's and his) mind. Putting Elvis' name in bright lights and giving cinematic glory to Christmas concerts and other strip sets from his hometown to Hollywood. Hella hot in all leather. All for the Mercury rising of his own 'Rocketman' like ascension and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' that has to be seen on the big screen. Love and thunderbolts of lighting. Galileo. Nuanced narration comes from the most unreliable source in the crooked like his nose Colonel Parker. America's Dad, legenday 'Forrest Gump' and 'Toy Story' actor (sticking up for Tim Allen who will always have a friend in him, when it comes to Chris Evans' 'Lightyear') and all-round nice guy Tom Hanks. He's never played it this bad, even as a gangster in 'Road To Perdition'. You'll be as surprised to see him like this as you were to see him justifiably scold some fans who almost knocked over Rita Wilson. But in a league of his own he really shows his range, managing like when he directed the Oneders in 'That Thing You Do'. Heaped and steeped in a fat suit as he buries Elvis in bad picture deals and the sands of a Las Vegas residency for his sins. He had the greatest show on his hand and fancied himself as the next P.T. Barnum (figures), shovelling snow. But from a ferris wheel first date, to the curtain coming down in anger, the only thing more compelling than Hanks is Butler himself as Presley. Ready to take the Oscar throne. 

Vocally, Austin is Elvis to a tee, thank you very much. And like Prince, he's got the look of the King too. So much so, sometimes you'll think you saw a flash of deep fake in this digital age. But from the first time he moved his hips to wagging fingers, to almost starring with Streisand as his iconic gold belt held him down like a chain, a star is born in Austin. Bringing not just iconic impersonation, but heart to these matters. The scene where he cloaks his tears, burying his face into his lost mother's (the gladness of Helen Thompson as Gladys) clothes is as heartbreaking as the real story relayed in a recent biography of another King, Muhammed Ali, where Elvis was so heartbroken on losing the love of his life, he climbed on his mother's coffin and begged her to come out. Elvis lived through it all. The assassinations of Dr. King, JFK, Bobby. The substance of what he really wanted to say through his music. And the abuse of pills first swallowed with an all American Coke, not to mention the manager exiled from Europe who wanted to go Dutch on his career earnings. Thank God for the love of Olivia DeLonge's perfect Priscilla Presley. His floundering but forthright father in 'Rake' and 'Mission: Impossible 2' star Richard Roxburgh (one front porch moment of comfort during the cruelty of the press is both beautiful and brutally heartbreaking). And 'Waves' Star Kelvin Harrison Jr. as legend B.B. King, showing you Beale Street really does talk. There's even appearances from 'Lord Of The Rings' star David Wenham. 'Stranger Things'', dear Billy, Dacre Montgomery. 'The Power Of The Dog's' Kodi Smit-McPhee nightcrawling. And 'Home and Away's' Luke Bracey for the Aussie. But nothing will shake the King. Not even the ironically named International Hotel in Vegas, standing like a mausoleum in the way of touring the world that he can't even run around. He still changed the world he could never quite physically reach with an outstretched finger though, as he pumps his arm around like a chopper, or the born to run Springsteen American dream who would one day storm the gates of Graceland like The Killer's sang. Just like when we see the real deal song one last time with all his heart. This 'Elvis' will never leave the building. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'The Great Gatsby', 'That Thing You Do', 'Once Upon A Time In...Hollywood'.