Don Coscarelli is one of the most creative minds working in film today. And that alone explains why so few studios will touch anything he makes. Beginning with PHANTASM (which has a huge fan base) and moving on to THE BEASTMASTER, Coscarelli has created his own world of creatures, fantasy and things that go bump in the night. And the same holds true for his latest endeavor, BUBBA HO TEP.
Don’t let the name fool you. This film (based on a short story by Joe R. Lonsdale) is one of the most interesting films you will see all year. The story revolves around Elvis Presley. Yes THE Elvis. As portrayed by actor Bruce Campbell, Elvis has lived past his prime. Having grown bored with the rock and roll life style, he exchanged places with a look alike and went out on the road again as an imitator himself. While both men had contracts signed in case they changed their minds, an accident caused Elvis to lose his. And with the death of the imposter, he had no chance of returning to his once gracious lifestyle.
Now he lives in a small retirement home in Texas. With the affects of a broken hip causing him to depend on a walker and a growth on his private appendage discussed in his mind most of the time (where we learn a lot of what is going on in voice over), Elvis is not living the life of rocker royalty. His best friend is an elderly black man (Ossie Davis) who believes he is Jack Kennedy. THE JFK. When it is brought out that JFK was white, he explains that they dyed him. Who they are is never quite explained.
Problems begin when the residents of the nursing home begin to die mysterious deaths. After an Egyptian looking scarab beetle attacks Elvis, Jack comes over to let Elvis know that there is trouble brewing in the nursing home. After doing some research, Jack believes that there is an Egyptian mummy lose in the home that is sucking the souls of the residents out of their rectums. While he first begins to doubt Jack’s sanity, Elvis is eventually convinced, especially after he and the mummy meet face to face.
Realizing that no one will believe them, the pair set off to save the residents of the home and keep their souls intact (as well as their lower orifices). They set out to take down the mummy and return things to normal. Well, as normal as things are.
Many have said, and it’s true, that this movie is ripe for cult status. The offbeat sense of humor, the weird storyline and the follow through make it a hoot. But more than the simple horror aspect of it, the thing that makes this movie is Bruce Campbell. His portrayal of the aging Elvis who ruminates about how his life might have been, how he made mistakes that have led him here, are truly touching. And his depiction of the King of Rock and Roll is fantastic. The last time anyone did this well was Kurt Russell in ELVIS.
As I said, don’t be put off by the title. Don’t be afraid that the folks around the water cooler will have a laugh at your expense when you tell them what you watched the night before. Let them watch reruns on television while you open up and explore the world of the legend of rock and roll as he takes on the legend of the sands. It’s time to get down and take a hunka hunka load a fun and watch a movie that is unlike anything you have seen yet. And have a few time while doing it.
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