EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert is playing in theaters at the time of review. Rated PG-13. Common Sense says 10+ FOX19 appearance (video) at bottom.
The documentary follows Elvis Presley, featuring never-before-seen footage and recordings.
STORY: A
Going deep instead of wide pays off big.
Director Baz Luhrmann opens the film with a brief but effective recap of Elvis’s early rise to fame. That provides the context for the film’s focus: the first years of Elvis’s Las Vegas residency.
We listen to Elvis muse about his life, sit in on some intense rehearsals, and score a front-row seat to an unforgettable performance.
By diving deep into this brief stage of his life, the film teaches us more about who he was than quickly skipping through his entire timeline ever could.
PEOPLE: A
In his own words.
Luhrmann uncovered hours of audio of the legend talking about his life. As Presley says, the tapes are “...his side of the story.”
His commentary feels incredibly intimate. You can picture him eased back into a sofa in his Graceland living room. He’s comfortable, candid, and genuine.
His words offer a rare chance to feel close to a man typically held so high and far above us mere mortals.
FILM NERD STUFF: A+
The editing is a dream.
Luhrmann describes the film as a “dreamscape,” a flowing river of music and memory melding into something neither of them could be on their own.
I’m not sure I felt like I was in a dreamscape while watching, but I see what Luhrmann means. Jonathan Redmond’s expert editing stitches the audio, rehearsals, and concerts together seamlessly. We never sense a “break” like one might when reaching a new chapter in a book. We remain completely immersed.
ONE BIG LESSON: A+
A picture is worth a thousand theories.
My favorite shot comes as Elvis walks through the front row, planting a kiss on any woman who wants one (they all do). After one kiss, he turns back and notices the camera. He shares a sheepish grin before giving us a mysterious look as he turns to keep moving down the line.
What does that look say? “It’s a tough way to make a living, amirite?” “That’s right, I’m one bad, bad man.” “I’m the only person on the planet who knows what this is like, and it’s lonely.”
It’s impossible to tell what he’s communicating with that look. It shatters the belief we’ve formed as the movie goes on: that we now know the man. How could we?
The film pulls off a great trick. People who like their movies to wrap up all the loose ends will walk away satisfied, feeling they’ve gotten to know the man. Others, like me, who fixate on the enigma living in that look, walk away with even more questions. Everybody wins.
FINAL COMMENTS:
My favorite feeling at a concert is when an artist’s greatness is revealed, when you go to see a band you enjoy and walk out finally understanding their genius. You finally grasp what all the fuss is about.
This movie gave me that feeling. It’s impossible to replicate the experience of seeing Elvis Presley live, but this comes incredibly close (especially if you can catch it in IMAX). It’s a time machine.
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert is one of the best concert films I’ve ever seen.
FINAL GRADE: A+
Click the pic to watch my FOX19 Morning Extra review of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert!!!
*** (plus Beau’s amazing review of K-Pops!) ***
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