3000 Miles to Graceland

Before I start into the review, let me give you a quick summary of the plot:

-A group of ex-cons reunite to rob a casino during Elvis convention week. With all of them dressed up as Elvis impersonators, they come in with guns blazing to a Las Vegas casino. But after the robbery betrayal, lust, and greed tear the group apart.

Okay now that that's done, lets get down and dirty...

I'd seen the trailer for this movie before deciding to lay down $6.50 for it. I can't think of the last movie I haven't seen a trailer before viewing. I've done it dozens of times with rentals, but I can't recall ever doing it in a theater. So with my knowledge of the trailer, I expected alot from this movie...and I got nothing that I expected. In most cases I would consider that a pleasant surprise, but not this time.

I went expecting a buddy action comedy, and instead get an ultra-violent movie that tries to be a love story, an action movie, and a comedy all in one. But as expected, it bit off much more than it can chew. When you mention this film to someone, their first thought is Elvis impersonators and squirrely side-burns. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who wouldn't classify this movie as looking humorous. Shooks is funnier than 3000 Miles to Graceland. To laugh at characters you have to connect with them in someway. In Graceland every character was just as heartless as the next. The viewers of this movie are expected to consider someone who just beats the bejesus out of people but doesn't kill them, to be a hero. Sorry I'm not buying what 3000 Miles is selling.

Some other things about 3000 Miles that I wasn't buying:

-The whole part of the story that centers around Costner's character supposedly being a son of Elvis. This garbage should have been left on the cutting room floor. A cold blooded killer suing the estate of Elvis is just ludicrous.

-Everyone who considers Costner's bad-guy role in this film to be such a stretch. And such a "risky" movie for the perennial hugs and kisses movie star. Am I the only who saw A Perfect World? Costner has played a bad guy before, and yet again its hard to believe. He's supposed to come off as a non-caring badass, but it's just too had to believe for me. And don't blame me, blame Costner...if he choose more diverse roles more often..maybe I could believe. But alas.

-Courtney Cox is hard to believe as a loose pantied whore. C'mon, she's played Ace Ventura's woman and Monica from Friends, definite sweetheart roles. I know this is acting, but that's like casting Marilyn Manson as the Pope. Sure she was a bitch in Scream, but I'm not digging it.

-This movie tries to be serious, yet it's cast includes David Arquette, Jon Lovitz, and Howie Long. WTF?!?

IN CONCLUSION, There's little good about 3000 Miles, but it wasn't all garbage. Young David Kaye who played Jesse seemed believable for such a young actor and Ice T seemed perfect for his role in the movie. And I can't forget that this movie did distract my attention for two hours. I wasn't giving it a standing ovation when it was over, but I wasn't trying to bail early. I didn't like the movie, but it wasn't terrible...
Rating: 1/2 out of four.

-Now that you've read something, he's written. Wouldn't you like to find out more about Goc? Here you go.