Director: Baz Luhrmann
Writer/s: Baz Luhrmann, Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce, Jeremy Doner
Starring: Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge, and more.

The Intro:
2022’s “Elvis” was a movie long on my radar the moment I heard Austin Butler was casted as the music icon. Likewise, Austin has been on my radar since I saw him in “Yoga Hosers,” simply because he has this allure to him, but the real focus honed in on him after Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” His brief but notable role as Tex stuck with me and now here he is, the Best Actor nominee himself. Something felt right about this casting choice… just something…

IMDb Summary:
“The life of American music icon Elvis Presley, from his childhood to becoming a rock and movie star in the 1950s while maintaining a complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.”

The Oberrating:
Let’s keep the focus on Austin Butler for a brief moment. LET’S FREAKING GO!!! Austin is the truth. Regardless of how one may feel about the subject matter or the style and way the story was presented, Austin embodied Elvis, got approval of his performance by the family, and absolutely rocked this role. Personally, anytime someone close to the real-life individual approves of an actor’s performance of said person, that’s all I truly need to believe they will do well and validates if my positive view of the performance is proper.

Next up on the agenda of “how ‘Elvis’ rocked my world” is the performances. Once again, Austin came ALIVE when he had to perform the moves and the music of Elvis Presley. If it weren’t for the frequent performances and music numbers, this runtime would have made a much bigger impression on my opinion of the movie. In the few times that I thought the movie was dragging a bit or that I felt it needed to wrap up, Austin does yet another number from the Elvis catalog and becomes electric.

Now “Elvis” is far without its faults. Director Baz Luhrmann is notorious for causing divisive opinions. For me, he’s also hit or miss, and for “Elvis” I am about 60/40 on the style of presentation. Narratively I feel like I resonated much more with the early phases of the movie and learning the “whos” and “whats” of Elvis. After he becomes established, the story kind of wanes on me here and there, and as I said before, locks me back in with the musical numbers. Baz’s unique style of delivering his stories also can be quite jarring with the frantic shots and boisterous modern music over period pieces. So for some, I can’t blame them for viewing this negatively.

The Wrap-Up:
“Elvis” was the truth. This movie is the Austin Butler show as he fully becomes the personality that was Elvis Presley. I’ll put this here and keep it regardless of right or wrong, Austin Butler wins the Lead Actor award at the Oscars. Performance aside, those that are fans of the icon surely need to see this as well as those that simply enjoy a solid music film.

Other Takeways:
– Tom Hanks… Lol
– Let’s get Kelvin Harrison Jr. some damn bigger roles! This man is the truth!
– Alton Mason as Little Richard = Killin it

Rating: 4/5

References:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3704428/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3704428/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm



Edited by Abby McNatt




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