Courtney Howard // Film Critic
EPiC: ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT
Rated PG-13, 1 hour and 30 minutes
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Elvis Presley
When filmmaker Baz Luhrmann made ELVIS, he became obsessed with – and maybe even partially possessed by the spirit of – the titular superstar. While his bold biopic was more of a shining tribute to The King of Rock N’ Roll, the maximalist auteur’s sensational, immersive music bio-doc EPiC: ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT acts as a rhinestone-studded summoning circle to bring the powerhouse performer back to life, reincarnated kaiju-sized in IMAX. Piecing together forgotten, never-before-seen home video, personal photographs, as well as interview and live concert footage to create a fascinating narrative arc, the film puts us in dialogue with the ostentatious, magnetic man himself, in his own words, imagery and show-stopping performances.
Luhrmann and editor Jonathan Redmond handle their heavy task with enthusiastic, skillful aplomb. It’s the next best thing to having seen him play live, if not better as it gives unprecedented access to the legend. They’re orchestrating Presley’s personal and professional ebbs and flows in real time, setting those triumphs and tribulations to an intoxicating musical rhythm all their own. From the very first moments when Neon’s new, jewel-emblazoned logo appears to the curtain close where a lone brave woman has the audacity to rush the Vegas stage as her heartthrob leaves the building, Luhrmann, Redmond and Elvis himself know exactly how to give the audience a proper show. It’s one left for generations to marvel and swoon over.
The filmmakers know precisely how to set the scene, giving Presley a voice in telling his own backstory, so when the unseen footage from ELVIS: THAT’S THE WAY IT IS and ELVIS ON TOUR unspools, we have a clearer focus on what made him into the phenomenon we see on stage in his later years. We’re initially shown his personal reflections on everything from his humble beginnings to skyrocketing popularity through a frenzy of photographs, movie and television clips married to his songs and disembodied audio interviews. We witness the making, shaping and marketing of his rock star image, as only these visionary filmmakers can do.
We also glean the absolute chaos this man caused, not just within the pop culture zeitgeist, but upon female fans. “Love Me” shows gaggles of girlies losing their minds, lined up the smooch their beloved idol, who would jump off stage to bestow kisses to his adoring fans in the audience of Vegas’ International Hotel. Yet his sexy bravura amplified – a magical act of sorts – while performing ran converse to his self-image. As he warbles “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” he playfully ponders the concept of loneliness. Montages featuring him dashing him off stage and into his car with his entourage to leave the venue distill a sense of dizzying energy.
Yet the concert bio-doc luxuriates in how all Presley’s experiences (for better or worse) have shaped him into the magnificent superstar we know him to be – so magnetic his TCB band has a laser focus on his needs, augmenting and emphasizing his provocative prowess. They roll right off his cues in rehearsals as he launches from one cover of “Yesterday” to another “Something In The Way She Moves.” On the main stage, their mashup of “Little Sister” and “Get Back” brings the house down. EPiC’s versions of “Polk Salad Annie” and “Suspicious Minds” are rousing knockouts. This is a revelatory tribute to the TCB band and his backup singers, the Imperials and Sweet Inspirations. The way drummer Ron Tutt reacts is incredible. He’s completely locked in, playing along with every improvised hip shake and arm movement from Presley.
EPiC is a little like a joint venture with director Denis Sanders (of the 1970 concert film), as well as directors Robert Abel and Pierre Adidge (of the 1972 concert film), where Luhrmann and Redmond take the newly archived concert footage and refashion it as one immersive, transcendent experience with tons of vibrancy and swagger. They’ve captured Presley’s gregarious wit and generous spirit through their effervescent, meticulously curated sound and vision. Elvis never really left the building.
Grade: A+
EPiC: ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT plays exclusively in IMAX on February 20, in theaters everywhere on February 27.
