Elvis {2022 Version} *****

Starring: Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Helen Thomson, Richard Roxburgh, Olivia de Jonge, Luke Bracey, Natasha Bassett, David Wenham, Kate Mulvaney, Dacre Montgomery, Leon Ford, Charles Grounds, Kelvin Harrison Jnr, Xavier Samuel, Maggie Gyllenhaal & Kodi Smit-McPhee

Director : Baz Luhrmann

Distribution : Warner Bros Pictures (UK), (A Time Warner Company) Bazmark Films, The Jackal Group

Duration Running Time : {approx} 2 Hrs 40 Minutes. {160 Mins}

Certification Rating Certificate : 12A

Please note that the following review contains 'lots of Elvis Presley puns' - so enjoy.

Mark Anthony “Baz” Luhrmann, (born September 17,1962), is an Australian film director, writer and a producer to his 'amazing Curriculum Vitae, -'CV'- and his many projects that he has been involved in not only includes film but also the likes of television, opera, theatre, music and also recording facilities in many various industries in the world of entertainment.

He is regarded by some as 'an auteur' and also 'a greatest showman’ - with apologies to Hugh Jackman - as PT Barnum - in “THE GREATEST SHOWMAN”,released in 2017 - celebrating its fifth anniversary - and also just for 'his unique style’ and also the ‘involvement' in various types of his works, - this includes the following containing all of the writing, directing as well as the designing and also the musical qualities components of his 'completed works' which is in fact 'based' on his 'original material set-pieces', but that also that he is the most successful Australian film director of all-time, - with at least 'four movies' that are in 'the Top Ten'.

However, on the big screen, Luhrmann, is probably known for his 'RED CURTAIN TRILOGY' - these films consisted of 'STRICTLY BALLROOM' -1992-, a romantic comedy, plus 'WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO + JULIET' -1996 - featuring a young Leonardo DiCaprio star of 'THE REVENANT' - 2015 - 'an action-western adventure thriller as Hugh Glass - a fur-trapper and winning the 'BEST ACTOR OSCAR' and Claire Danes, star of the TV series 'HOMELAND' as Carrie Matheson and 'MOULIN ROUGE' -2001 - featuring Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman, John Leguizamo, David Wenham, Richard Roxburgh and Jim Broadbent - these were both 'romantic dramas'.

After 'THE RED CURTAIN TRILOGY', Luhrmann developed other projects including 'AUSTRALIA' - 2008- featuring Kidman, Wenham and Jackman, and also featured the likes of Bryan Brown,Jack Thompson and David Dhalatnghu Gulpilil, the original star of 'Walkabout' -1971- 'a survival film' featuring Jenny Agutter, John Meilion and Luc Roeg, son of Nicolas Roeg, who also directed the film.

The original setting for 'AUSTRALIA' is classed as 'an epic adventure film' and also set between 1939 -1942, against the backdrop of Northern Australia, at the extreme time, and also such events as 'THE BATTLE OF DARWIN' or even 'THE BOMBING OF DARWIN' during WWII, and also 'THE GREAT GATSBY' - 2013 - featuring Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan and also featured DiCaprio and Thompson in a supporting role.- this version was in fact 'a remake' of the 1974 version and directed by Jack Clayton which starred Robert Redford, Mia Farrow and also Sam Waterston, the novel was written by Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald and was originally published in 1925.

The concept of the original novel is set in 'the jazz age' situated in Long Island, near New York City, the novel depicts Nick Carraway, 'a first-person narrator' whose interactions with Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire, and also Gatsby's obsession who in fact needs to be 'reunited' with Daisy Buchanan, a former lover.

Now the original novel was inspired by a 'youthful romance' that even Fitzgerald himself had with Ginevra King Pirie, an American socialite, (the US version of Granny Ridgeway) and also 'a wealthy heiress, plus 'the riotious parties' that even Fitzgerald had attended situated on North Shore,Long Island,New York City, way back then in 1922.

Luhrmann is also 'equally well known' for his 'Grammy Nominated Film Soundtracks' for both 'Moulin Rouge' and 'The Great Gatsby', as well as 'House Of Iona' - 'his record label' - which is also 'a co-venture' with RCA Records, and also as a 'loyal record producer' on all of his 'dedicated musical genre of soundtracks, because in fact that he also holds 'writing credits on many of the individual track listings', his album - 'Something For Everybody' features all music from many of his films and also includes his hit 'Everybody's Free {To Wear Sunscreen'}.

The introduction opened with 'Advice Like Youth, Probably Just Wasted On The Young' - but is commonly known by the title of 'Wear Sunscreen' is 'an original essay that's written as 'a hypothetical commencement speech' by Mary Schmich, a columnist that was published in The Chicago Tribune, in June 1997, that same year the record - produced by Luhrmann was a massive hit in the 'pop charts' - it was *1 in the UK and Ireland and Lee Perry, an Australian 'voice-over'artist, who also provided the 'voice' for the song itself.

The contents that was contained in the original essay gave various 'pieces of advice' on subjects such as - 'how to live a happier life and avoid common frustrations spread massively via 'viral email', is often 'described as a commencement speech that was given by Kurt Vonneghut at the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology - 'MIT' - situated in Cambridge,Massachusetts, USA.

Vonnegut was an American writer, noted for his 'wryly satirical novels', who by the way used 'postmodern techniques' as well as 'all elements of fantasy and science-fiction' - highlighting 'the horrors and also the ironies' as well.

One of his novels 'SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE' published in 1969, was about how he was involved in WWII, where he enlisted in the US Army and was deployed to fight in Europe.

Now the year was 1943, and he was captured by the Germans during 'THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE' -aka - 'THE ARDENNES OFFENSIVE' - which was the last German offensive campaign on the Western Front, he was then taken to Dresden where he was interned and also 'survived' the Allied bombing of the city trapped inside 'the meatlocker of the slaughterhouse' where he was originally imprisoned.

The meaning of the word 'meatlocker' refers to 'a cold room that's used for storing in - basically 'to keep it fresh' but always remember that when you take it out of the room you should always wait at least 'ten minutes' to soften it up, as for the meaning of the word 'slaughterhouse' - well that refers to a place called 'an abattoir' where animals are 'slaughtered' for food, and as for the word 'abbatoir' - does in fact process 'slaughter' and also 'meat processing', and by the time that 'an animal has gone through' it has been 'reduced to carcasses, bones, offal, blood and skin, - just remember the next time you eat a bacon sandwich', and more importantly, how it was prepared to create 'this British product - that's served with either 'red or brown' flavour of sauces to savour into many mouths - and also 'fill-up the gap' - well anyway before lunch,- but whatever you do - ''DON’T'' - 'spread any butter' on your bacon sandwich as 'it's not recommended' because after all that you may end up wearing it in the process.

The film version of 'SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE' was released in movie theaters three years later - 1972, -produced by Paul Monash and directed by George Roy Hill and featured the likes of Michael Sacks,Valerie Perrine and Ron Leibman.

Ironically when the novel was published in 1969, both Hill and Monash were involved in making a western movie called 'BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID' featuring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as 'the two outlaws, - which was released in movie theatres that same year.

So now Ladies and Gentleman we finally now come to 'the main feature' itself and Luhrmann's latest offering takes 'the audience' on a journey about 'the unique showman with 'ELVIS' featuring 'an all epic new biopic' about 'the big man himself' for this is one of epics that chronicles the lives and also a friendship lasting 'over twenty years of 'two of the greatest men' of all time - notably Elvis Aaron Presley (Butler) and Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks).

Presley, was in fact not only a singer, but an actor as well, - he appeared in at least 'eight movies' - and also known to many as 'the man with the golden touch' while James Bond 007 was 'shaking' 'stirring' and also 'sipping' his 'vodka martinis' on the big screen whilst 'the king' was performing on 'the world's stage' - featuring 'the quiff hairstyles'- featuring Alvin Stardust 'aka' Shane Fenton and 'Shakin' Stevens 'aka' Michael Barratt involved in a last stand - known to many as 'the quiff-off' - 'the gyratic moves' - (for it's like Gethin Jones, the Welsh TV presenter of 'Morning Live' relocated to Manchester and situated at the ABC Buildings Complex facing the iconic 'Opera House' in Quay Street Manchester and who's sat on his chair and surveying 'the daily exercises' that are - ''strictly'' performed by professionals from 'Simply Come Dancing' which he also performs 'LIVE' with the professionals by simply joining in and accidentally 'pulls his pud' and also 'injures himself' whilst situated on a delicate position, - good job that there's a doctor in the building like Dr's Xand and Raj, and who can sort out 'the problem' so I guess you can say that 'he's in safe hands'- unlike Vinnie Jones grabbing more than the Crown Jewels - courtesy of Paul 'GAZZA' Gascoigne) - and also has 'a fabulous voice' and described by many as 'the king of rock 'n' roll and also regarded as 'one of the most cultural icons of the twentieth century, - 'IT'S FUNNY JUST HOW TIME SLIPS AWAY' especially for Boris Johnson - British PM and not just 'FOR THE GOOD TIMES'- simply because that he’s blown up his chances as the leader of the party and also that for him that in the words of the legendary Roy Orbison known by many as 'the man in black and also the dark glasses' that sadly for him that 'IT'S OVER', but now he's finally out of Number 10 Downing Street - he'll crawl back to Crinkly Bottom - disguised as Mr Blobby.

Thomas Andrew Parker, on the other hand, was originally a Dutch-American musical entrepreneur, having been originally born in the Netherlands and was also a carnival worker.

In 1920, Parker arrived and also entered in the US, illegally aged 'twenty years' under his 'real name' - Andreas Cornelius (Dries) Van Kujik, and also changed his original name to Thomas Andrew Parker plus also the fact that when questioned by the immigration authorities 'that he had also claimed to have been born in the US' - when officially he had been declared as an alien - simply 'by not declaring his official true identity to the authorities' at the extreme time of his arrival and that is why 'his personal details' - including his Dutch Birthplace and also Immigrant status were 'not revealed' for many years.

Then in 1938, he 'branched out into a new career and also moved into the music business',working with Gene Austin, the first popular crooner and then 'branching out his varieties' in country music with Eddy Arnold, Frank Snow and also Tommy Sands - these were originally country singers who performed for Parker during his early career as a music promoter.

'Just for the record', back in 1948, it is 'widely regarded' that Parker did in fact receive 'the honorary rank' of Colonel in the Louisiana State militia from non-other than Jimmie Davis, the governor of Louisiana and was also a former country singer, this was in fact in return for the work that Parker originally did for Davis's Election Campaign.

Parker, is in fact 'a hotly-debated figure in the Elvis Presley story' they first met in 1955,they soon 'bonded a life-long friendship between them' and later that he became Elvis's manager, a year later, -1956.

The 'two icons - a rising star in the making who became a global sensation and a manager who was in charge of sorting out his 'finances' and turned out to be a villain in the making and also 'waiting in the wings' for his chance to share in the limelight of his wonderful glory and not just because 'that in fact he benefited significantly from his original client's income by taking and also pocketing 'a 50 % commission' at times of which collects behind his back.

Lurhmann's film has 'all the hallmarks on how to make a musical movie' and there are many ingredients on the many preparations on how to perform on the big screen in a 'grandeur' style, every element of this 'epic musical' is without doubt 'at least 100 % pure gold - this is like 'a bottle of vintage wine' - full bodied with a distinct flavour that's matured in its splendour & that every drop of this is worth its wait because the qualities of this involves the likes of the music, photography, editing, the storyline and the performances from Butler and Hanks especially are in fact 'first class'.

Butler's persona as Elvis, resembles a 'youthful John Travolta', who during the 1970’s - 1977 and also 1978 - to be exact - featured in two of the greatest musical movies of all - time - notably ‘SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER’- directed by John Badham - as Tony Romero and ‘GREASE’- directed by Randal Kleiser - as Danny Zuko and which also featured ‘the late and legendary' Dame Olivia Newton-John AC- Companion of the Order of Australia - and DBE - Dame Commander and also Order of the British Empire - as Sandy Olsson - both of these films were produced by Robert Stigwood and also they were in fact the quintessential movie-soundtracks and featured many tracks from both movies such as Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons and The Bee Gees - born in the UK and grew up in Chorlton Cum-Hardy, - a suburb of Manchester - while Hanks's persona as Parker resembles the character 'Boss Hogg' who appeared in 'THE DUKES OF HAZZARD' - the original TV series that aired on CBS between 1979-1985, - lasting 'six years', 'seven seasons' and also 'one hundred and forty seven episodes', the movie version of the TV series was released in movie theatres in 2005, and directed by Jay Chandrasekhar and featured Johnny Knoxville, Seann William Scott, Lynda Carter, -TV's 'Wonder Woman', Willie Nelson, Joe Don Baker, Jessica Simpson - a teen-pop sensation making her film debut as Daisy Duke and Burt Reynolds as Boss Hogg and his 'persona character as Parker described by many as a crook - the evil villain of the film' also resembles the character of Freddy Krueger - the evil child-killer portrayed by none other than Robert Englund - star of 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' - released in 1984, directed by Wes Craven and also featuring Johnny Depp in one of his early roles was also 'a horror franchise' in its own right spanning at least 'eight sequels'.

But, unlike 'Elvis' : - The Movie'- originally released in 1979 - and 'only two years after his death - 1977 -aged 'forty-two years old' - directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell as 'The King Of Rock 'N' Roll' - it was originally classed as a 'made for TV movie' - which is commonly known as 'a movie that's shown on TV' - this was a real success but then 'a shorten/abridged version' of this TV Movie was shown in movie theatres especially in Europe and also Australia at the precise time.

For director Carpenter and star Russell, this was their 'first collaboration' with 'Elvis' - the 1979 TV movie version and they would be 'reunited' in 'five more collaborations'- making this six in all including 'The Fog' -1980, 'Escape From New York' -1981, 'The Thing'- 1982, 'Big Trouble In Little China' -1986 and Escape From LA -1996.

Now, the Carpenter version goes as far as the 1970's, but Luhrmann's version of 'the legendary showman' goes much further than that - and not just because its 'quite an epic' - which by the way - it is.

One thing that I should also inform you is that it debuted 'at the UK box office with ￡4.0m', - thus achieving this as 'the highest opening of its genre in the post-pandemic era.

Now there will be times that after you've seen this that you'll be heading out of the multiplex wearing your 'BLUE SUEDE SHOES' with 'A HARD HEADED WOMAN' and that you'll be 'ALL SHOOK UP'' taking 'THE GIRL OF MY BEST FRIEND' on a 'one-way trip' to a ''HEARTBREAK HOTEL'' serenading your loved one with 'LOVE ME TENDER' and also 'A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION' and generally caressing her ''WOODEN HEART'' whilst inviting to join her waiting 'IN THE GHETTO' before going 'WAY DOWN' and enjoying a bit of 'BURNING LOVE' with a 'GUITAR MAN' and that if on the off-chance that you decide to get hitched the chances are that you'll both be 'CRYING IN THE CHAPEL' with a 'HOUND DOG' at your side, but least you'll have 'SUSPICIOUS MINDS' whilst wearing a 'GOOD LUCK CHARM' and that's after eating a 'HOT DOG' whilst strolling along in the 'EARLY MORNING RAIN' then at least you'll be 'RUBBERNECKIN' your precious beauty of an 'all American beauty which like 'a thrilling tigress' that's disguised as 'the road-runner - 'Beep Beep ! -with 'tender loving care' - in the process on board the ''MYSTERY TRAIN'', - so 'JUST CALM DOWN GOLLUM' ! as 'I FEEL SO BAD'.

And so in closing this chapter review that's sort of like 'AN AMERICAN TRILOGY' that 'I JUST CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU', so whatever you do 'DON'T BE CRUEL' simply because that ‘ I JUST WANT TO BE YOUR TEDDY BEAR’ and not just because that you're 'ALWAYS ON MY MIND' with the greatest intention with the inspiration that 'YOU'RE THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE' is a case of 'HARD KNOCKS' just because that 'I'VE GOT MY MOJO WORKING' at the present time, so 'KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF IT' - 'BIG BOSS MAN'.

But also that 'IF I CAN DREAM' then the main important question that one would ask is 'ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT' or is it just because that 'IT'S NOW OR NEVER' and also if you're 'LOOKING FOR TROUBLE' then you've 'COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE', - for this is at least 'one of those movies' that you'll experience in your local multiplex, because after all this needs to be seen on 'the big screen' and also that its just like seeing him live 'in the flesh' - not at a 'glitzy top of the range expensive hotel' what with the high rise costs that are shooting up - at the size of a “firework” - but at your local movie theater, because after all - you've got the best seat in the auditorium - 'up-close and personal' - with your * 1 pop idol - of 'all-time'.

Thank you very much - Ladies and Gentleman as you've been a wonderful audience !

Don't Miss It !

Stay Safe.

David M.G.Mitchell