I just had to see Bubba Ho-tep. Why? Mostly because I am fascinated by Elvis and Elvis impersonators. When I was a child, I thought that Elvis was my special friend because our birthdays are both on January 8. I've let go of that - thankfully - but I still love his music and movies. I also had to see Bruce Campbell as Elvis battling against the soul-sucking mummy. Who could ask for anything more than Elvis and mummies? I did ask for more from this movie, but I didn't really get it. I had rather high expectations, but the movie wasn't as funny or as zany as I expected. It had its moments though. Some of the flashback sequences were funny such as the barbeque incident and the scene where Elvis falls off the stage and breaks his hip. (Aside: I went to a show several years ago where Davy Jones and Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees played at a local casino. Davy Jones decided that he would go out into the audience by hopping across the tables. He got to our table and everyone was grabbing for him. He walked right by me and all I could do was cringe and think to myself, "Oh, my god, he's going to fall of the table and break a hip." When Elvis fell of the stage in Bubba Ho-Tep, it was extra funny because of this experience.)
Things that I didn't particularly care for include Elvis swearing like a sailor/whore/trucker - you choose - and the penis obsession. If you have ever wondered why they make Viagra or any of those male performance enhancement drugs, watch this movie. You would think that men would get used to the idea that he have a penis and sometimes it doesn't work the way it should. Judging from this movie, they don't. A gross generalization? Perhaps. It was actually kind of disturbing especially since when Elvis actually "springs back to life" he does so when he decides to figure out what is causing the disturbance at the rest home. So is that the signal that a man is really alive?
Two really great things about this movie: Bruce Campbell's costumes and the score. Watch the making of shorts included on the DVD and you will find out that the costumes for the movie and for any serious Elvis impersonator only come from one place. This company also owns the patterns from Elvis' actual wardrobe. You will also find out that the score was written and performed by Brian Tyler. Yes, he actually played all of the instruments and sang for the soundtrack. Pretty cool. It's interesting to listen to his interview because he talks about his creative process. He mentions that he always gets inspired for a song when he is either driving or in the shower. I know the feeling.
One thing you may or may not know about film scores is that they are usually written after the film has been shot and edited. The composers get a rough cut of the film and work from there. I did really enjoy the score, but there were times when its melancholy tone took away a little bit of the comedy or fun in the movie.
at November 12, 2005 8:35 AM