ChanFamous
I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.
Marva-nova
Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.
Edwin
The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.
Wyatt
There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.
bluesman-20
I Remember when Elvis died. And the Effect it had on the world. My Sister was devastated. And so was her friend. We Watched Elvis give his last ever show done in June of 77. And afterwards Elvis took on a more mythic status. We heard the stories and the myths that sprang up around him. When this movie came out in 1979. My Sister and my brother and I watched it. It got a lot of things right. Some wrong. but it did so with style. Kurt Russell delivers hands down what is the Greatest performance of anyone doing Elvis. John Carpenter hands in one of the best ever bio pics Ever made. The story opens in Jan 8th 1935 as Elvis is born and his twin Jesse Garon is still born. The film chronicles the dirt poor beginnings of the Presley family as they moved to Memphis and Elvis trying to find himself. Elvis isn't widely loved at first. his style of dress. The way he combs his hair and everything about him makes him a target of bullies. Until he uses his guitar and voice and becomes accepted. The movie moves at a breakneck pace so there are things omitted and things glossed over. Given the time line that's understandable. Pat Hingle does a good job as Col. Tom PArker. While Shelley Winters steals the show as Elvis Presley's mother Gladys. The Film adapts the many legends of Elvis. And considering that Before his death Elvis was untouchable. It's understandable that the film didn't dwell on any of the darker aspects of the King's life. But it drives home the point of Elvis being so lonely. trapped by his wealth and fame. But it also touches on the wild side that Elvis had. Any other Elvis Bio films that came after were not as good.. They simply missed the mark. This one hits the mark in every way possible. And it's captivating . If anyone wants to make the definitive Bio pic of Elvis they would do well to check this one out first and see how it's done.
Scott LeBrun
This landmark made for television biography came at a time when the death of the beloved entertainer and pop culture icon was still fresh in peoples' minds. It's written & produced by Anthony Lawrence, who'd written or co-written such Presley film vehicles as "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" and "Easy Come, Easy Go", executive produced by Dick Clark, and directed by John Carpenter, who'd recently established himself as a hot property with his hit horror film "Halloween". It's all done with the utmost respect for Elvis, and touches upon various key moments in his life, starting with his childhood when he found his own way to deal with the death of his twin brother. We learn what makes Elvis tick, and what motivates him. He wanted nothing more than to entertain people, and hopefully provide a better quality of life for the parents, Gladys and Vernon (played by Shelley Winters and Bing Russell, star Kurt Russell's own dad) who were always loving and supportive. Framed by the depiction of Elvis's big comeback performance at the International Hotel, it shows him meeting all of the important players in his life - Sam Phillips (Charles Cyphers), Colonel Tom Parker (Pat Hingle), and Priscilla Beaulieu (Season Hubley, to whom Russell was subsequently and briefly married). Russell is just tremendous as Elvis, completely immersing himself in the role and managing to make us forget that we're watching a performance. Of course, it's worth noting that Russell, as a child, had acted with The King in "It Happened at the World's Fair" and would return to the role - sort of - in 2001's "3000 Miles to Graceland". One of the highest rated television movies in history, it earned three Emmy nominations, including best television movie and best actor for Russell. This is a true warts and all affair, showing the darker aspects to Elvis's personality, and as such is riveting. It's a long but engrossing story, and was also historic for first teaming Carpenter and Russell; they would work four more times together over the years, on "Escape from New York", "The Thing", "Big Trouble in Little China", and "Escape from L.A." It also firmly established Russell as a mature actor of note after his time spent as a youthful star of formulaic Disney comedies. Everything is buoyed by genuine poignancy and, of course, a generous serving of classic Elvis songs. Well worth watching overall. Eight out of 10.
FeinMess
Sure, this is not the greatest "made-for-tv" movie ever (I've seen alot worse), and yes, at times the lip-sync is "out-of-sync", but still, this movie is worth a shot. Good luck trying to find it at the local video store, I looked high and dry with no luck, finally had to buckle down and buy it on e-bay. Not a huge Elvis fan, so the many alleged inaccuracies in the movie really didn't bother me that much. I am, however, a big Kurt Russell fan and that is what is important here.......Kurt Russell's impersonation of Elvis is perfect.....from the intonation in his voice to his moves on stage, no one has ever portrayed The King better. I've always felt Kurt Russell was an under-rated/appreciated actor....well, this flick proves he is a very capable actor. Thank ya.......thank ya very much.
skmagan
This is a great movie, too bad it's not on VHS or DVD. Russell does the best impersonation of Elvis Presley I ever saw & I saw them all. :) This movie doesn't go into the last years of his life, but we don't really want to remember Elvis all bloated, we want to remember him like this movie portrayed him as.