Kate says that out of the current list of movies--involving cavemen, teen film noir, and clones--Bubba Ho-Tep is far and away the most bizarre. No kidding.
The movie is basically about getting old with dignity or at least dealing with old age with dignity. It is also a quest narrative: there's a call to adventure, tests, the collecting of friends/mentors/weapons, and a final battle. Bruce Campbell, playing the hero Elvis, is awesome. Ossie Davis, his mentor JFK (he was dyed black), is also great. The explanation of the problem (how the mummy ends up in Texas) is surprisingly complete.
And . . . I don't know what else I can say. It is hardly fair to hold Bubba Ho-Tep to the same standards I would, say, Brick. Bruce Campbell is the master of B movies and camp (though he is capable of more reflective roles; his Elvis in Bubba is quite insightful, and his devil on X-Files is multi-layered with a tender side). Bubba is an atmospheric horror movie (sort of) with lots of interior dialog, random back flashes, and an abrupt ending. It is also completely unapologetic about, well, its total lack of trajectory.
This is oddly refreshing: I would say this is the first film out of this list where the director and actors don't care whether we, the viewers, like it or not. Oh, you're watching? Well, we had a lot of fun. I guess we hope you had fun too. But we don't really care. Hey, Kemosabe! Wow, isn't that hilarious?!
Like I said, the most bizarre film yet.And completely unjudgeable. It is what it is.
Mike says I'm sorry! I totally forgot how crude the first few minutes of this movie was. That being said, I think an elderly Elvis would probably be thinking and saying just about the very same things.
Bubba Ho-Tep made this list because of how utterly unique it is. Elvis and JFK versus a mummy in a retirement home in Texas. It's bizarre, it's weird, and a tad hokey. But it's also surprisingly moving and a hell of a lot of fun. Touching on Kate's comments, aside from the comedy efforts of the undertakers, the acting is phenomenal. Bruce Campbell owns his role of Elvis, selling it with a cool assurance that catches you by surprise. Campbell doesn't oversell it: his Elvis is more real man than the usual stereotypical Elvis performance, and he somehow utters "Elvis Speak" so casually that you can take it in stride; this is not a man with catch phrases; it is a real language, a genuine way of speaking.
The plot, bad guy, and everything else is standard B-movie hocum. Fun, simple, and effective. The real treasure of the movie lies in the journey of the character and his quest to reclaim his dignity and importance before death. If not for the sheer oddity of the picture, I would expect to see it on a list of must see Elvis bio-fiction, like Heart Break Hotel.
I also have to give praise to the soundtrack. The western/rock instrumental score is epic and sweeping, capturing both the heroic nature of Elvis, while also being a little sad and lonely, perfectly communicating the idea of a tired but legendary figure.
What Kate said above is correct though: this Movie is WEIRD, but powerful in its own way.
Friday, September 10, 2010
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I agree about Bruce Campbell. Rather than doing a spoof of Elvis, he is doing the Elvis who might-have-been with all the regrets and melancholy and verve that a true elderly Elvis would have.
I think this is one of the great things about Bruce Campbell: he takes all his roles seriously. Occasionally, actors will get embarrassed by roles, and then they are embarrassing to watch. He never does. Even when he is doing thorough camp, he is going the best thorough camp he can.
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