Search - Bubba Ho-Tep (Hail to the King Edition) on DVD

Jason C. (JJC) from NEWARK, NJ
Reviewed on 1/6/2008...

When I first heard about "Bubba Ho-Tep", I knew for a fact I would love it. Bruce Campbell playing Elvis, battling a 4,000 year-old mummy in an old age home in East Texas. What's not to love? I mean who wouldn't be curious to watch a film like this. Let's get into it.

Something evil lurks in the wee hours of the morning at an East Texas rest home, killing elderly residents one by one.

Enter Elvis Presley (remarkably played by Bruce Campbell), aka "The King of Rock N Roll", alive and not-so-well in present day. Apparently, Elvis was tired of the fame and had his fill of being an icon, so he switched places with Sebastian Haff (also played by Campbell), the best Elvis impersonator/look-a-like that ever was, sometime back in the early '70s. But Haff, was addicted to drugs more than the King ever was and it is he who dies of an overdose, and Elvis had missed his chance to switch back. So now, the real King is forced to live out Sebastian's life, as an Elvis impersonator. During one of his gigs, the King breaks his hip and falls offstage and winds up in a long coma. When he wakes, he finds himself old and battered in an East Texas rest home.

Elvis notices that something strange is happening at this rest home. It starts when an over-sized beetle attacks the King in his bedroom. The beetle is defeated, because remember, you "never f*** with the King". Enter Elvis' only friend at the home Jack Kennedy (Ossie Davis), a black man who thinks he's J.F.K. Jack has done some research and believes that the killings that are going down are being committed by an ancient mummy (or Ho-Tep) from 4,000 years ago, that somehow found its way in Texas, has recently been awakened and is now sucking the souls out of the elderly. When they encounter the Ho-Tep, they notice that this mummy sports a cowboy hat and boots, Texas redneck (aka "Bubba") wear. So, now our heroes Elvis Presley and J.F.K. decide to fight this soul-sucking mummy (with their wheelchair and walker) and send it back to the hell it came from. Let me stop here.

This movie is brilliant for many reasons. The story itself is so ridiculous and bizarre, that it's pure genius, very witty and clever. I had a great time with this film, lot of laughs. Bruce Campbell gives the best performance of his career here, an Oscar nomination is rightfully deserved. His portrayal of the King is perfect, top-notch and hysterical. Ossie Davis also puts in funny support as 'Jack', the two are great together on-screen. Don Coscarelli (the "Phantasm" series) has done some respectable work here. Being absent from theatrical releases since "Phantasm II" in '88, Coscarelli has finally provided a worthy film that can be added to his "classic list" of films ("Phantasm" and "The Beastmaster"), rather than continuing his recent "crappy list" (that consists of three "Phantasm" sequels and a mountain climbing thriller). He shows some admirable wit with both his screenplay (which was based on a story by Joe R. Lansdale), and his direction. "Bubba Ho-Tep" is a B-Movie by every definition, but I'm glad that they marketed it as a mainstream art-house film.

Highly recommended and so much fun, "Bubba Ho-Tep" is bound to be an instant cult classic, as well as a memorable Elvis film, with a memorable performance.

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Elvis & JFK vs. The Mummy

Matthew Perri | San Jose, CA | 10/22/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, I love this film dearly.
Yes, it's [very] funny.
Yes, it's probably one of the best films I have ever seen...and not just of the year but one of the best films of all-times."Bubba Ho-Tep" is a joy to watch, not because of the ludicrous premise and the silly situations, but because of the acceptance of the ludicrous premise and silly situations.And the feeling that (except for the mummy bit) this may all be true.Bruce Campbell (of the "Evil Dead" series of movies) gives the performance of his LIFE as Elvis Presley...an Elvis Presley who did NOT die. Instead, Elvis resides in a Texas resthome, waiting for death to take him out. His glory days are forever behind him and he's in a state of depression after watching his roommate kick the bucket next to him.Time passes slowly and so do his days and it makes him even more sick knowing that he can feel his demise coming.It's wrongheaded for most critics to overlook the metaphor in "Bubba Ho-Tep". Director Don Coscarelli ("Phantasm") cleverly adapts the story (from author Joe R. Lansdale's short story) and successfully brings the concept to life. You believe that Bruce Campbell is Elvis because he plays Presley with such heart and dignity that any Elvis fan will want "Ho-Tep" in their movie collection when it hits the video-shelves. Ossie Davis gives a warm-hearted performance as "Jack" AKA JFK. He's so sweet and lovable and you want him on your side because he's noble.And that's the brilliance of this movie: Campbell and Davis plays their rolls with a straight face. You believe that THEY believe they are who they say they are. It's deadpan comedy at its finest. It just better illustrates that this is a movie about growing old and confronting regret and fear before your time is up. Dress it up and make it dance but that's still what's at the core of the film and you can't deny it.As writer Stephen King once said, "We're all gonna die someday, baby. I'm just trying to make it interesting."I loved it.--Matt"

"Don't make me use my stuff on ya, baby!" (4.5 stars)

Michael Crane | Orland Park, IL USA | 05/29/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In the tradition of the "Evil Dead" movies, Bruce Campbell is back in true form in this horror/comedy/drama flick that's a roaring good time. You just don't know what to expect next once you start this bad boy. Filled with laughs, horror and surprisingly, heart, "Bubba Ho-Tep" is everything you'd want from a B-Movie and more.Campbell stars as an elderly Elvis who lives in a Texas retirement home. People keep thinking he's just an impersonator off his rocker, but in reality he had traded places with an "Elvis" impersonator so he could get away from all of the fame and hardships of a rock-n-roll star. However, something strange has been happening in this retirement home. Folks are dying mysteriously every night without any clear explanation. As it turns out, an Egyptian mummy is the cause for the deaths and it needs to feed on their souls to stay alive. It's up to Elvis and his buddy, JFK, to take on this monstrous foe before it slaughters every living person in the retirement home. The end results are unpredictable and off-the-wall.The premise alone intrigued me to see it. That, and Bruce Campbell. I'm always in the mood to see a good funny horror movie, and this movie did a great job of fulfilling that need. Not one minute went by where I was bored or disappointed. While the story may be over-the-top, it's done in such a creative and clever way. The movie has fun with itself and it's very easy to see. Bruce Campbell does a marvelous job as "Elvis," and let's not forget the great Ossie Davis as the one and only "JFK." The movie combines elements of comedy, drama and horror. It doesn't know what it wants to be at times, but the cast knew that from the get-go and they even goof on that fact (watch the featurettes and listen to the commentary).The DVD has some outstanding features. The movie sounds and looks really good for a flick that was done under such a low budget. The commentary tracks are definitely worth you time, and you MUST listen to the commentary track where Bruce Campbell does it as "The King" and stays in character the entire time. It is the funniest thing I have ever heard. Other extras include featurettes, a music video, deleted scenes, the original trailer and more. All of this makes one heck of a great package."Bubba Ho-Tep" is a great time from Campbell and company. Any fans of the "Evil Dead" movies will definitely want to put this on their list. Just keep in mind that this is a movie that you watch to be entertained and nothing more. This movie was pure enjoyment from beginning to end. It's bound to become a classic sooner or later. The King still lives, Baby! -Michael Crane"

Don't Mess With Texas Baby!

Horror-Web Jekyll | The Softer Side of Hell (NC) | 01/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Synopsis : Opening in a rest home in Texas, we come to learn the "true" story of what happened to Elvis Presley. During his stay he also meets up with John F. Kennedy and they join forces to battle an evil Egyptian Soul Sucker named Bubba Ho Tep who preys on the souls of the other residents of Mud Creek Rest Home. Plot : An absolutely hilarious and well thought out story. America's obsession on whether Elvis is dead, this movie should be shown everywhere!!! Great storytelling, well acted and just an overall good time with this movie! Cast/Characters : How can you go wrong with Bruce Campbell? You can't!!! He brings his style of humor to the screen once again and we get to see other familiar faces like Ozzie Davis and Reggie Banister. Campbell's presentation of Elvis was hilarious, this was definitely a role he was meant to play!F/X : Effects were mainly limited to just the presentation of "The Mummy" and it was a job well done. If this creature had appeared in a more haunting type horror movie it would definitely be spooky-goodness! F/X team did a wonderful job.Jekyll's Final Thoughts : Hail to the King baby! What a truly amazing and fun movie. Humor was top notch and Campbell was in the zone! This is a must see for any fan of his and just a good ole campy type horror movie. Run, don't walk...find this movie to watch! You won't regret it. 5 star rating!! www.horror-web.com"