Bubba Ho-Tep
Review by Joseph Peter Savitsk
 You
don’t see Elvis and JFK teaming up for a movie every
day, and you most definitely never see the twosome taking
on a soul-stealing Mummy.
Such is the bizarre template for Bubba Ho-Tep, a horror
film that’s thicker on gut-busting laughs than it is
on corn syrup, but is still welcomingly original.
The film postulates that the real Elvis (played in the film
by B-fave Bruce Campbell) didn't die in 1977; it was an impersonator
he switched identities with.
The faux Elvis overdosed, while the real Elvis ultimately
wound up in a squalid retirement home. There, a pale shadow
of his former self, he convalesces and looks back on his life
with regret.
Enter a new friend. He (the dependable Ossie Davis) –
the silliness ensues - claims to be JFK, and seems to think
that the government has stolen his brain and "dyed"
him black. He also claims that an ancient mummy has awakened,
and is sneaking into the home and stealing the souls of the
residents.
Elvis and JFK decide to team up to stop the mummy, but they’re
hampered by the fact that they're not in the best physical
shape.
Bruce Campbell does a spectacular job portraying an elderly
Elvis that sees the mummy as his chance for redemption. Ossie
Davis is equally impressive as JFK, and lends a sense of decorum
to the film.
Don Corscarelli is an experienced director, and that comes
through in his skilful handling of the film. The only grievance
is that the mummy is seen too little - with his cowboy hat
and boots he really is a sight to behold.
Okay, so horror and gore fans might have been hoping for
a little more slice and dice, but audiences looking for an
extremely funny, poignant film with excellent acting and a
killer twist will be in hammy heaven.
Hail the new King of horror comedies!
4.5 out of 5
Bubba Ho Tep
Australian release: Thursday February 24th, 2005
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Ossie Davis, Reggie Bannister, Bob
Ivy, Ella Joyce, Heidi Marnhout.
Director: Don Coscarelli.
Website: Click
here.
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