Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘3000 Miles to Graceland’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

If there is one thing that truly makes the cinematic experience unique above anything else; it is the sheer fact that you can truly tell any kind of story on film. It doesn’t matter how outlandish the idea, or how extreme the violence, all of it can be captured on celluloid, or the digital variant of it and that’s brought about some genuine beauty in theaters. Because it’s allowed for us to share in some powerful moments, the kind that make us laugh, and make us cry and being able to experience that is one of many reasons that we settle in for movies on a regular basis.
 
But while that is a wonderful reason to celebrate film and everything it has to offer, there is a quirky side to this benefit in that, sometimes some supremely unique and outlandish ideas make it to the silver screen. And these are the movies that are often branded as ‘B Movies’ or cult classics, simply because they don’t quite fit the everyday mold and that’s not an insult by any means, it is in fact, a compliment. For the fact that there are niche films out there that speak to specific people, reinforces cinema’s ability to tell any story hiding within a creative person’s imagination and really the wonder of film is relevant to today’s conversation, simply because I recently took the time to revisit an off the wall motion picture that oddly manages to captivate in 3000 Miles to Graceland.
 
Now in this particular film, we are transported to the desert just outside of Las Vegas, where a man named Michael Zane is arriving for an important business meeting, one that will set him up for life when he and his cohorts finally join him. For they plan to rob a Vegas casino in the midst of an Elvis Presley convention. But it doesn’t take long for the plan to go south, or for Murphy, the leader of their group to show his true intentions when it comes to the money. Which puts Michael in quite the precarious situation, one that will force him to join up with some unlikely allies to try and strike it rich and enjoy a little peace in life, provided of course he can stay ahead of Murphy and his bloodthirsty tendencies.

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​So, at first glance, the plot of this film makes it seem as though it is a fairly by-the-numbers heist movie. One that really doesn’t deserve the label of ‘outlandish’. But once you settle in to watch this movie, you quickly come to see why that moniker fits it so well. After all, it’s a super violent motion picture, one that uses jarring camera angels and extended action scenes to make sure the audience knows just how ruthless Murphy really is. But what’s fascinating about this, is that the ultra-violence present here is incredibly over the top, to the point where the explosions are comical and should remove the audience from the experience. But as story dives deeper into some unique plot points, you quickly find yourself compelled to continue.
 
Because the Elvis Presley convention is only the bare beginning of the story’s obsession with the King. For Murphy and Michael share a similar past, in that, at some point along the line they were tested to see if by chance they could be Elvis Presley’s love child, with inconclusive results and the possibility that they might be Rock ‘n Roll royalty drives them into some unique paths character development wise. Michael for instance, is trying to do right by making this his final score so he can just fade away and enjoy the peace and beauty of the world instead of hustling. While Murphy is a vengeful man, one who in essence embraces his role as a spurned son of Elvis and wants to make the world pay, in every sense of the word, for not giving him the awe, he believes it owes him.
 
Yet what’s amazing is that even that wonky plot thread should prompt the audience to move on and therein lies the final trick in this film; the fact that it features some huge names to sell these wild moments and concepts. Because Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner star in this film as Michael and Murphy respectively and they play their roles with such zest and zeal and conviction that you simply have to see how they are going to sell the next outlandish moment. If anything, this movie is that rare gem, one that should stand as a goofy failure, but instead it finds a way to keep your attention and flat out entertain you for a couple of hours. So, if you’re looking for a solid way to escape after a long day, check this one out if you haven’t seen it. Because it really is something unique and well, it might win you over despite its quirky nature.

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