Elvis movie spoilers free review: Austin Butler got me All Shook Up
By Ricky Valero
The King has re-entered the building as Elvis is scheduled to hit theaters on June 24. Today, I review the film and let you know my thoughts and if it is worth checking out.
I remember riding in the car with my dad as a kid, listening to Elvis, and falling in love with his music. It was something about his voice that was unique and different. So many years later, I still blast his music, whether in my car, my headphones or on my vinyl player, hence why I was so scared to check out Elvis. I wanted this to be great, but I had so many hesitations.
Most people either love or hate Baz Luhrmann. I am on the love side as his work. Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby were both brilliant films. From the moment the film begins, you feel Luhrmann’s signature footprint and the film never looks back. So how does an Elvis film work? First, you have to have the perfect Elvis. Next, the music must work, and the story must be told that is delicate to the artist but impactful simultaneously.
Let’s start with the story. Luhrmann handled Elvis’ story with grace, care, and love, conveying it in a way that makes you fall in love with this man all over again. He highlights so many essential pieces of Elvis early on in his career, from the influence (and even borrowing/taking) within Memphis culture to his family roots to the struggles he battled coming up.
Another thing Luhrmann did with the writing of the script was intertwining the story with the music. Each song had rhyme and a reason for why it was in the film. Not only that but how he made the performances feel so emotional and raw. I am still blown away by how he incorporated it all.
Austin Butler gives a star-making performance as the King in Elvis
Next, having the perfect Elvis, who knew that could even be a thing, right? The “Trouble” moment in the film made me realize that we were watching a star being born in front of our eyes.
Austin Butler transformed into the King of Rock n Roll, so much so there were moments I thought I was watching Elvis himself. Butler gave his heart and soul to this performance, which showed because you felt every single thing he felt within this role. I am still beyond speechless on how he nailed this performance. I may never watch the Oscars again if the Academy doesn’t nominate this man.
The supporting cast around Butler elevates this film. The trailer didn’t do any justice to Tom Hanks as Colonel Parker, but Hanks gave one of my favorite performances of his career. He was such a remarkable villain, and it was terrific to see Hanks in this style of a role. In addition, Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla blew me away. Her emotional support, opposite Butler, helped Butler come across the way he did when they were on-screen together. Kelvin Harrison Jr. as B.B. King in his own movie, when?
I would be crazy not to talk about how Luhrmann and his team beautifully put us smack dab in the middle of this era. From the costumes to the production design, every element of this film had precise attention to detail to set the tone.
Overall, when the credits rolled, I sat in my chair and cried like a baby (I did quite often during the film, too). I can’t thank Luhrmann enough for how he handled this story. Top to bottom, this film was terrific because Luhrmann handled every piece of it with perfection. See this movie the moment it hits theaters.
Elvis hits theaters on June 24.