After serving prison time, trouble-seeking Kurt Russell (as Michael "Mike" Zane) joins a gang led by trouble-making Kevin Costner (as Thomas "Murph" Murphy). They rob a casino disguised as Elvis Presley impersonators, during "International Elvis Week" in Las Vegas. But first, Mr. Russell rocks bedsprings with shapely Courteney Cox (as Cybil Waingrow), while her son David Kaye (as Jesse James Waingrow) steals Russell's wallet. Following some misunderstandings and arguments, Mr. Costner wants to kill everyone and take all the money. But, Russell, Ms. Cox, and the kid want the booty too. With $3,200,000, someone could live like a king.
Writer/director Demian Lichtenstein's "3000 Miles to Graceland" is trouble in the form of stylishly cut action and violence. Too bad it's mindless violence based on nothing. Or, perhaps, based on the script hinting the men played by Russell and Costner are the illegitimate sons of Elvis Presley - or, two of 75 DNA testers not ruled out. What all the shooting has to do with Mr. Presley is anybody's guess. No television sets are shot at, and "My Way" lyricist Paul Anka shows up, possibly to make sure "The guys get shirts!" Cox' real life husband David Arquette appears as one of the gang, but Mr. Anka and Jon Lovitz are more fun.
Elvis' excellent, underused "Such a Night" (recorded in 1960, and a hit single in 1964) is the main theme song. In 1954, expressive Johnnie Ray's version was considered too sexually suggestive for US radio. Presley's music mixes well with the modern score.
The film is senseless. There are a lot of Elvis references, mostly centered around Russell. He appeared as a kid extra in "It Happened at the World's Fair" (1963), which is acknowledged when Russell gets kicked by kid Kaye. Also, in an elevator, Russell is asked to autograph an LP soundtrack from the old film. Russell occasionally uses some Presley postures, mannerisms, and talk ("man, watch the hair"). He wears a "TCB" (Taking Care of Business) necklace with the "Captain Marvel Jr." lightning bolt, and he digitally puffs the darker cigarettes Presley smoked. Costner's character is more original and interesting, but unfortunately less developed.
***** 3000 Miles to Graceland (2/20/01) Demian Lichtenstein ~ Kurt Russell, Kevin Costner, Courteney Cox, David Kaye
Writer/director Demian Lichtenstein's "3000 Miles to Graceland" is trouble in the form of stylishly cut action and violence. Too bad it's mindless violence based on nothing. Or, perhaps, based on the script hinting the men played by Russell and Costner are the illegitimate sons of Elvis Presley - or, two of 75 DNA testers not ruled out. What all the shooting has to do with Mr. Presley is anybody's guess. No television sets are shot at, and "My Way" lyricist Paul Anka shows up, possibly to make sure "The guys get shirts!" Cox' real life husband David Arquette appears as one of the gang, but Mr. Anka and Jon Lovitz are more fun.
Elvis' excellent, underused "Such a Night" (recorded in 1960, and a hit single in 1964) is the main theme song. In 1954, expressive Johnnie Ray's version was considered too sexually suggestive for US radio. Presley's music mixes well with the modern score.
The film is senseless. There are a lot of Elvis references, mostly centered around Russell. He appeared as a kid extra in "It Happened at the World's Fair" (1963), which is acknowledged when Russell gets kicked by kid Kaye. Also, in an elevator, Russell is asked to autograph an LP soundtrack from the old film. Russell occasionally uses some Presley postures, mannerisms, and talk ("man, watch the hair"). He wears a "TCB" (Taking Care of Business) necklace with the "Captain Marvel Jr." lightning bolt, and he digitally puffs the darker cigarettes Presley smoked. Costner's character is more original and interesting, but unfortunately less developed.
***** 3000 Miles to Graceland (2/20/01) Demian Lichtenstein ~ Kurt Russell, Kevin Costner, Courteney Cox, David Kaye