Browse all reviews by letter     A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0 - 9

USA 2002
Directed by
Don Coscarelli
92 minutes
Rated MA

Reviewed by
Bernard Hemingway
3 stars

Bubba Ho-Tep

This low-budget and generally amusing black comedy is based on the premise that Elvis didn't die in 1979 but switched places with an Elvis impersonator and is living out his days in an East Texas rest home. That's a tough call for the King but even tougher is the fact that the home is being used as a feed store for a soul-sucking mummy, the eponymous Bubba Ho-Tep, and the only help that the 70-year old Elvis has to best this son-of-a-bitch is a black fellow inmate (Ossie Davis) who believes that he is JFK.

The screenplay, written by Coscarelli based on a short story by Joe R. Lansdale, is consistently droll, at least for fans of gallows humour, its marvellously off-beat premise being realized with impressively economical flair. Add to this the spot-on performance by Bruce Campbell as the 70 year old King with a Zimmer frame combined with solid dead-pan support from Davis and Bubba Ho-Tep is definite cult material.

 

 

back

Want something different?

random vintage best worst