Review of 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001) by Nathan C — 06 Aug 2011

An intriguing premise is bogged down by what feels like a 3000-mile trip to... nowhere. Tarantino would say, "Son, I am disappoint.".

Horrid CG opening titles sequence aside, this movie gets off to a decent start as the hero finds his way near an Elvis convention. He and his friends rob the jackpot during said convention. 3 people die that night, Kevin Costner goes bad, and the money is up for grabs. It's up to Kurt Russell to sort things out while Letdown Mode is activated.

Off-putting how 4 of the top-billed stars are killed off within the first act and that the actors who get more screen time are billed lower. Somehow it seems like that the energy and wicked humor that fueled the beginning has magically disappeared, leaving behind a drab n' dull flick. And the plot lacks the momentum necessary to suit even your generic action movie. I don't know if it's because I saw this on TV or not, but... the editing was terrible, possibly leaving out stuff, making scenes feel rushed or drawn-out, and being inconsistent.

However, there are a few assets: the clever, ingenious use of Elvis Presley's music, Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner working their best with the lame material, how pretty the visuals are (well, in Vegas), the great shootout in the beginning, and the child actor who isn't annoying. But it needed to have a set piece at Graceland itself, as the climax, instead of some reused set from T2. The acting was alright as well.

This film, with the combo of jarring shifts in tone, lack of cohesion, and its shameless claim at entertainment, ends up being as dazed as confused as the King, back in '77. I just left the building... unsatisfied.