A Different Take On the Forthcoming Movie

[The Swamp Fox]

Came across this article this morning. Not saying I agree, but it’s an interesting take.

https://collider.com/elvis-movie-review-austin-butler-tom-hanks-baz-luhrmann/amp/

[rockinrebel]

Came across this article this morning. Not saying I agree, but it’s an interesting take.

https://collider.com/elvis-movie-review-austin-butler-tom-hanks-baz-luhrmann/amp/

That was interesting to read, thanks.

From what I've read so far the positives outweigh the negatives, but I was a little concerned about how all these new songs and covers would fit into the film, and the article gives some valid insight into this.

[slaterkus]

The final two sentences of the article identify my fears for this movie.

It's Luhrman's style so one can't be surprised but another bright shiny one dimensional Elvis will feel like an opportunity missed.

My hope for a Martin Scorsese Elvis masterpiece fades.

[elvis-fan]

Yeah, this isn't a surprise or new or really all that different. Critics are always, ALWAYS deeply divided on Baz Luhrmann movies. Some people love the flash and are swept away by the broad emotion of it all, some despise every choice with every ounce of their being. Every single one of his movies. Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge, Australia, The Great Gatsby and now Elvis. It's very much going to come down to every single audience member's unique individual tastes as to how much they appreciate the movie for what it sets out to be and what it is.

[DobroMojo]

I'm personally done with reading all the reviews right now. There's only so much you can process without actually experiencing the film for yourself.

My favourite film reviewer and Elvis super-fan Mark Kermode - who won't give his actual full review until the day of release, simply said about the film on his podcast earlier today "It was ace!", which is English slang meaning "it was great!"

[brian]

Came across this article this morning. Not saying I agree, but it’s an interesting take.

https://collider.com/elvis-movie-review-austin-butler-tom-hanks-baz-luhrmann/amp/

When word came out that Baz Luhrmann was going to be the one to direct the big screen Elvis movie I was disappointed. I'm someone that doesn't like Baz Luhrmann's films and probably won't like his film about Elvis. This isn't a surprise because a few months ago it was revealed that Baz Luhrmann wasn't going to do a traditional biopic. I got the feeling that most fans on this forum wanted a traditional Elvis biopic but that's not the type of movie Baz Luhrmann wanted to do. That's why I think a lot fans aren't going to like it. More and more negative reviews have been popping up over the internet which I expected mixed reviews. I will watch it with an open mind though. These Hollywood music biopics have been a mixed bag. Some are very good and some haven't been. Of course it's subjective. Just watch the movie and decide for yourself.

[rockinrebel]

I'm personally done with reading all the reviews right now. There's only so much you can process without actually experiencing the film for yourself.

My favourite film reviewer and Elvis super-fan Mark Kermode - who won't give his actual full review until the day of release, simply said about the film on his podcast earlier today "It was ace!", which is English slang meaning "it was great!"

Yes I heard him say that. He is also my favourite film-reviewer. I'm heartened by the fact that if the film was rubbish, he wouldn't hesitate to say so.

I got the feeling that most fans on this forum wanted a traditional Elvis biopic but that's not the type of movie Baz Luhrmann wanted to do. That's why I think a lot fans aren't going to like it.

That formula's been done to death and lampooned (Walk Hard). However I agree that a very vocal minority will express their displeasure that for once, Elvis' story is being told with imagination and flair.

The film has actually been compared to Walk Hard in more than one review, but I guess the same could be said of most films in the genre.

A lot of the criticism I've seen, has been around the fact that the film doesn't dwell on, or sensationalise the last couple of years of Elvis' life.

This is something a number of critics appeared to have wanted, even though they couldn't be bothered to do any research to establish the facts.

Unfortunately, there's still a lot of lazy journalists out there who believe that Elvis was walking around grossly overweight for most of the '70's.

Such people will never be pleased with a movie that appears to have a mostly positive outlook.

[elvis-fan]

A lot of the criticism I've seen, has been around the fact that the film doesn't dwell on, or sensationalise the last couple of years of Elvis' life.

This is something a number of critics appeared to have wanted, even though they couldn't be bothered to do any research to establish the facts.

Unfortunately, there's still a lot of lazy journalists out there who believe that Elvis was walking around grossly overweight for most of the '70's.

Such people will never be pleased with a movie that appears to have a mostly positive outlook.

Thankfully for each of us Elvis fans, there's only one critical review that counts! Looking forward to seeing it this Thursday!!!

[rockinrebel]

A lot of the criticism I've seen, has been around the fact that the film doesn't dwell on, or sensationalise the last couple of years of Elvis' life.

This is something a number of critics appeared to have wanted, even though they couldn't be bothered to do any research to establish the facts.

Unfortunately, there's still a lot of lazy journalists out there who believe that Elvis was walking around grossly overweight for most of the '70's.

Such people will never be pleased with a movie that appears to have a mostly positive outlook.

Thankfully for each of us Elvis fans, there's only one critical review that counts! Looking forward to seeing it this Thursday!!!

I agree. The positives should outweigh the negatives. There's a wonderful legacy to celebrate. I'm looking forward to seeing it too.

[Christopher]

@elvis-fan and rockinrebel:
we are awaiting your reviews.

[TCB Band]

Also awaiting the reviews of members from the forum…I’ve been behind on my research with it, but I’m currently with brian. I doubt I will like it. I’m kind of torn on the two Baz Luhrmann films I have seen and I know I would’ve preferred a traditional biopic. I will probably wait to see the film until it is released on demand - I still don’t feel comfortable heading back to theaters yet.

[Mike in New Jersey]

I'd probably want to see some fan reviews here, before giving the film a shot. No matter how well made the film might be, a massive stumbling block, for me, watching any bio pic on Elvis, is the portrayal of Elvis himself. Elvis, in the sound of his voice, the way he spoke/sang, his mannerisms etc. are so unique, that anyone playing him, in their attempt to do a slavish portrayal of these things, to me, seems to come off doing some bizarre parody, rather than a sympathetic portrayal. I think I'm too familiar with Elvis. If I knew or cared little about him, I'd probably have no issue enjoying this movie.

Edit: clarified a point.

[brian]

I hope the movie makes the point that Elvis wasn't a copycat of African American artists. I hope this movie makes the point that Elvis's versions of the songs he covered by African American artists were different. In the last 10 years or so all I hear is Elvis was a copycat but that's not true. I think some people have heard that so much that they think Elvis was just copying the black singers and then putting his versions out and then getting rich off them. That's hurt Elvis. If this movie is going to do Elvis's image any good it should portray that accurately and set the record straight. I don't know how that will be portrayed though. If Elvis is portrayed as copying the songs I won't like that and I suspect a lot of other fans won't either. Elvis's versions of That's alright mama, Good rocking tonight and Hound dog etc. were very different from the originals. If Elvis had just copied them I don't think he would've been a big deal. That wouldn't be fair to portray Elvis as a copycat. That's one thing I wish and hope for the movie. If the movie doesn't do that I can't see how it portrays Elvis accurately and honors him and his legacy. I don't know how that's going to be. I have heard the movie spends a good amount of time portraying Elvis as listening to African Americans and being influenced by them but then it largely skips over his Sun records period. We'll see.

[emjel]

I'd probably want to see some fan reviews here, before giving the film a shot. No matter how well made the film might be, a massive stumbling block, for me, watching any bio pic on Elvis, is the portrayal of Elvis himself. Elvis, in the sound of his voice, the way he spoke/sang, his mannerisms etc. are so unique, that anyone playing him, in their attempt to do a slavish portrayal of these things, to me, seems to come off doing some bizarre parody, rather than a sympathetic portrayal. I think I'm too familiar with Elvis. If I knew or cared little about him, I'd probably have no issue enjoying this movie.

Edit: clarified a point.

That’s why I tend to enjoy biopics of artists that I am not really an in-depth fan of - I thought Bohemian Rhapsody was tremendous and although familiar with Queen’s hits etc, I was not familiar with the story or other bits and pieces, so the things fans were complaining about went over my head, and I guess the same would happen with non Elvis fans watching this movie.

[DEH]

I hope the movie makes the point that Elvis wasn't a copycat of African American artists. I hope this movie makes the point that Elvis's versions of the songs he covered by African American artists were different. In the last 10 years or so all I hear is Elvis was a copycat but that's not true. I think some people have heard that so much that they think Elvis was just copying the black singers and then putting his versions out and then getting rich off them. That's hurt Elvis. If this movie is going to do Elvis's image any good it should portray that accurately and set the record straight. I don't know how that will be portrayed though. If Elvis is portrayed as copying the songs I won't like that and I suspect a lot of other fans won't either. Elvis's versions of That's alright mama, Good rocking tonight and Hound dog etc. were very different from the originals. If Elvis had just copied them I don't think he would've been a big deal. That wouldn't be fair to portray Elvis as a copycat. That's one thing I wish and hope for the movie. If the movie doesn't do that I can't see how it portrays Elvis accurately and honors him and his legacy. I don't know how that's going to be. I have heard the movie spends a good amount of time portraying Elvis as listening to African Americans and being influenced by them but then it largely skips over his Sun records period. We'll see.

People in the Black Community have been brainwashed to think Elvis stole from them. covering songs is not stealing. Lol. If that was the case everyone in music is a thief.