Bubba Ho-Tep Details

Elvis and JFK meet the Mummy

Elvis is alive and not very well. After switching identities with an Elvis impersonater back in the 70's, he's now living in a nursing home in Texas suffering from a dodgy hip, an uncomfortable growth in his nether regions and mocking laughter whenever he tries to convince anyone that he's really 'The King'. One person does believe his story though, an ageing black man who believes he's JFK. These two men are, along with all the other residents, just existing now; waiting for their time on this earth to come to an end, alone and unloved.

But when the appearance of some giant cockroaches coincides with a number of deaths in the home, JFK suspects this may be the work of a soul-sucking Egyptian Mummuy(or Lyndon B Johnson). Together Elvis and JFK team up to 'take care of business'.

This terrifically original comedy has taken a long time to reach these shores, but it's worth the wait. From the excellent premise, writer/director Don Coscarelli spins a consistently hilarious, and surprisingly deep, tale which is full of surprises.

Bruce Campbell is perfect casting as 'The King', effortlessly managing to make a fully-rounded character out of this 68 year-old Elvis. He's got the voice and mannerisms down to a tee and really seems to be enjoying himself in probably his best performance to date. Ossie Davis gets a number of great lines as a black JFK and these two make an engaging team.

The low budget is often obvious(mostly when the Mummy's on screen) but doesn't detract from the fun, neither does the rather slapdash storytelling.

But what's most surprising about 'Bubba Ho-Tep' is the emotional depth and resonance it achieves. It's really a film about elderly people having one last chance to make a difference and fighting to die with dignity in a world where they are discarded without a second thought. With a number of surprisingly moving moments, it has far more to say than many more 'serious' films manage. 'Bubba Ho-Tep' is a true original and a true delight.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Great Idea But Loses Its Way

Definitely something different to what I've seen before. The premise that Elvis is alive and living in a sanitorium and takes on an Egyptian demon who is feeding on people's souls is unusual. Unfortunately after a very interesting first half it tails away until the final twenty minutes or so just don't sit with the direction in which the film was going.

The acting from Campbell is great but Ossie Davis takes it to another level. It's a shame that the film loses its way in the latter parts because the first half or so is really drawing you into a story that you've never even imagined before.