There was a time in life where Elvis Presley, the king of rock and roll seemed invincible; that is until he was one day found dead, gorged to death on drugs and cheeseburgers. But the most interesting fact here of all that Elvis didn't die. The man who was found dead on a toilet was none other than a Mr. Sebastian Haff, a very convincing Elvis look-a-like and impersonator whilst the real Elvis took Haff's place as a tribute act to? well himself and living on well into old age, that is, if Joe R. Lansdale's short story basis for the film 'Bubba Ho-Tep' is true. Which of course it isn't.

The only person who does believe Elvis's story is fellow resident Jack, a black man who claims to be John F. Kennedy. He believes that 'they' changed the colour of his skin and took a small piece of his brain (replaced with a small bag of sand) to cover up the truth. At first, Elvis brushes this off as a deluded old man vying for attention but later forms probably one of cinema's strangest ever partnerships with him when a mummy gets resurrected and starts stealing the souls of the retirement home's residents. Elvis and Jack must unravel (no pun intended) the mysteries of this mummy character without their old age and the constant threat of death getting in their way.

Likewise, Ossie Davis also gives a first rate performance as Kennedy and unsurprisingly is a very original and unstereotypical portrayal. The great thing about this film is that there is always the lingering doubt that these two characters are just crazy old men and not who they claim to be. I love how it's all very open to an individual's interpretation, although the image of Elvis and JFK teaming up to battle the undead is an image I won't let go of lightly. It's all too easy to revel in the fantasy as this film has so much imagination and zest about what it does regardless of the limits presented by the age of the protagonists. Then again, old men with Zimmer frames and wheelchairs battle evil is a big part of this film's quirky nature. This is pure escapism.

But it is here that 'Bubba Ho-Tep's' only real flaw rears its ugly head. There isn't really enough shock in it to give it the justification of 'Horror' status, let alone classic horror. Hardcore splatter fans may be disappointed at the lack of? well? splatter, especially when compared to Bruce Campbell's other work in the subgenre; the 'Evil Dead' films still reign supreme. Looking at the film from a comedy angle and more potential problems arise. For those not familiar with Bruce Campbell and his work will probably feel out in the cold a lot during this. The humour of this film is based more on the situation the characters find themselves in rather than the set piece gag stylings of the modern mainstream. However, hopefully the film's premise and endearing performances will raise it above these filmic kinks.

Film Specs
Director: Don Coscarelli
Year: 2002
Language: English
Time Approx: 88 minutes
Certificate: 15