Review of Bubba Ho-tep (2002) by Tim B — 07 Jan 2011

Originally, when I had first heard of Bubba Ho-Tep, I never took any real interest in it. Yes, it was directed by Don 'Phantasm' Coscarelli and starred Bruce 'Ash' Campbell, but beyond those two features, I never gave it the time of day.

Until one night when I was THAT bored and had no other choice, I sat back and attempted to get into this movie. Since that night roughly seven years ago (that long?) I've been booting myself for not viewing this one sooner.

The premise sounds like total cheese and to a sense, it is. But this one took the high road where it could have easily just stuck with cheese. The movie actually focused on the character of Elvis, gave him humorous but human hardships and watching him overcome them at his old age was more fun than watching almost any teenager.

I LOVED that they put substance behind a fun-horror-fiesta for once. Had me get into it at a mucho quicker pace. The effects and make-up jobs of KNB were once again, amazing. Campbell looked and felt like the real Elvis Presley to me.

Of course that was also contributed to by his acting chops. I know many fanboys will shun me for this but for me, THIS role is Bruce Campbell's best performance. Has the feel of that Ash role we all know and love, while maintaining and Southern accent and having a pure sense of emotion to it all.

Amazing. Ossie Davis cracked me up and had me siding with him as well as the 'might-be' JFK. Ella Joyce was hilarious in her role as the nurse and felt very natural at it. Heidi Marnhout gives us a nice shot of her underside and can also act at that! Reggie Bannister shows up in a small role and rocks the house, as per usual.

For those looking for their humor a la Evil Dead have no need to fear either. I laughed many times for the number of times I quivered like a puss puss. If it wasn't the hilarious narrative or poor old Elvis' 'crankshaft' issues, it was the funeral directors antics or that weird old lady with klepo tendencies making me laugh.

Lastly, the horror here definitely isn't the most dominant element, but there are many creepy and eerie moments that I delved into to appreciate enough. Coscarelli put a nice creepy vibe and did great plays with the yellow lighting.

Not only playing with lighting, he did MANY neat tricks with the camera (slow-motion, fast motion, great uses with the dollies, and breth-taking scenery (yes, even for an old-folks home). The score by Brian Taylor was amazing in enhancing some scenes (yep, another one to find).

This movie won't appeal to everybody, may be to slow for some and too over-the-top for others, but neither one hindered my viewing pleasure and hasn't since. This is definitely one of my favorites and a film I always come back to at least once a year to view again.

It's hilarious, touching, powerful (yes) and a fun ride for those who want to give it a shot. Hail to the King, baby...