Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis has divided critics after its debut. The biopic of Elvis Presley received mixed reviews with many calling it a shameless comic-book biopic despite receiving a 12-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.
In one of the more disparaging reviews, film critic Armond White called the movie a shameless comic-book biopic.
Armond added that (Baz) Luhrmann’s style jumps from one exaggeration to another, zipping through poor-white class issues, past the European-based Army stint and the legendary acquisitive status, .
Olly Richards writes that Baz races through the life of Elvis Presley. Olly further called it one hell of a ride, but sometimes it’s moving too fast for his audience to get more than a passing look at his characters.
Olly continued, Trying to squeeze in so much, even over a 159-minute running time, it’s not surprising that much of it feels rushed.
However, Olly praised lead star Austin Butler, crediting him for saving the movie.
Kyle Smith criticised Baz’s famously bombastic filmmaking style, writing, The editing is like a kaleidoscope fed through a food processor, the camera has less ability to sit still than a 4-year-old stuffed with birthday cake, and both lead actors veer into camp.
However, film critic Peter Travers was far more positive, calling Austin an electrifying new star. Peter opined, Nothing puts Austin in the shade, not even the glittering brilliance of the costumes and production design by Catherine Martin, Baz’s wife, adding that he seizes the role of his career in Elvis and rides it to glory.
