VividSimon Simply Perfect

Moustroll Good movie but grossly overrated

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Wizard-8 Elvis Presley was without doubt a phenomenal singer, but let's face it - most of his movies (especially of this period this particular one was made in) and many of the song he was forced to sing in them were beneath his talents. However, "Viva Las Vegas" ends up being a pleasant Presley vehicle. Presley is pretty enthusiastic here, especially when he gets to dance and sing. And most of the songs in this particular movie he gets to sing are pretty good, my favorite being the title song. But Presley is well matched with his co-star Ann-Margret. She is spunky and always manages to stand up to the magnetic Presley. It also helps that the screenplay writes her character to have a strong personality; it's no surprise that the screenplay was written by a woman. There isn't a heck of a lot of plot here, and what little there is happens to be pretty predictable. But the movie is fast-paced, colorful, not afraid to be a little (pleasantly) silly, and ends up being pretty fun. (By the way, see the movie on Blu-ray - it looks absolutely gorgeous on that format.)

Wuchak Released in 1964, "Viva Las Vegas" stars Elvis Presley as a race car driver, Lucky, who wants to compete in the Las Vegas Gran Prix, but he needs an engine for his vehicle. Ann-Margret plays a dancer/singer and Lucky's romantic interest while Cesare Danova plays his competition. William Demarest is on hand as the girl's father while Nicky Blair plays Lucky's buddy. I prefer the more serious and dramatic Presley flicks (e.g. 1964's "Roustabout") as opposed to the farces (e.g. 1966's "Spinout"). While "Viva Las Vegas" veers closer to the latter, it compensates with Margret's charismatic performance and her chemistry with Elvis, which paved the way for a dynamic and fun musical (not to mention an affair). Ann truly shines and never looked better. In addition, the race in the last act is actually thrilling with some quality stunts. The film runs 85 minutes and was shot in the Las Vegas area.GRADE: B+

Hot 888 Mama Since nearly everyone in their right mind now, or in 1963 when VIVA LAS VEGAS marked Elvis' debut as a chopper jockey, would answer, "Heck, no!," VEGAS may not be your cup of tea, even if you're otherwise a fan of "The King." What's billed as "the most exciting road race ever filmed!!!" in the theatrical trailer for VEGAS seems tacked on to this flick's over-crowded finale as an afterthought. Race cars crash and burn for almost no reason, while the field seems to always remain about the same size, bunched improbably close together after many HOURS of open road racing. A few seconds of wedding immediately follows the checkered flag. The bride and her marriage seem headed up the road a pace to Reno, since none of her concerns about the groom's immaturity have been given meaningful resolutions. Whereas Elvis' outing in KING CREOLE addressed some of the serious racial issues of its day, VIVA LAS VEGAS seems even more of an exercise in air-headed cotton candy than JAILHOUSE ROCK. It does not have an honest bone in its body. Any bones present are more like those plaguing ill-prepared fish, likely to stick in your throat if you think about this flick for more than a moment.

gullwing592003 This is a typical formulated Elvis musical, there is nothing special about it that makes it stand out from the rest of the trash. Ridiculous plot & flimsy story & one stupid situation after another. And enough songs to fill an album & some of the songs are better than the movie itself & that's not a good sign. The best part of the movie is the racing scene at the end with several car crashes but that's expected in a car race. But it comes too late, in the meantime there's too many distracting & intrusively silly & annoying scenes that weighs the film down & gets in the way of the plot & story (if there ever was one).Aside from a few decent movies Elvis made when he was given solid material to work with like Jailhouse Rock, King Creole, Flaming Star, Wild In The Country & Charro most of his movies were garbage. They are tediously boring & are embarrassing & hard to sit through & a waste of time & a disgrace to Elvis' career. Only Elvis fans will enjoy this poop simply because Elvis is in it.