3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)

3000 Miles to Graceland (2001): Dir: Demien Lichtenstein / Cast: Kevin Costner, Kurt Russell, Courteney Cox, Christian Slater, Kevin Pollack: 3000 miles of violence and mayhem with as much stupidity as possible. Title is suppose to represent freedom and introduces Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell as Elvis impersonators who lead a group in robbing a casino. We are given a massive shootout before they escape to their hideout where Costner murders all his cronies save for Russell who escapes. He hooks up with a confused mother and her thief son. She steals the money and abandons her son with him. Director Demian Lichtenstein just rolls the camera and let's them fight without any care as long as viewers are entertained by its pointless mayhem. The two leads prevail despite idiotic dialogue. Russell goes from villain to responsible player when the woman's son is involved. Costner goes from villain to killing his whole team. This cannot end without violence and that is exactly where it resolves. Courteney Cox as the mother is standard issue whose best scene seems to have her bound and gagged in a trunk. She is not sympathetic nor likable here. Christian Slater appears briefly as doomed Elvis impersonator. Kevin Pollack is cast as the U.S marshal but the role is pretty standard and flat. Pointless violent encore is louder than most construction sites. Score: 4 / 10

To enjoy this movie, you need to know what kind of movie to expect going in. Don't expect it to be about Elvis per se, although he does play a large role in the background. So if you came to this movie because you are an Elvis fan you may or may not be disappointed. Also don't expect it to be a polished critical classic like Gone with the Wind. Do expect it to be campy, over-the-top, and fun. Too many people go into the film expecting it to be something it isn't, and that ruins the experience for them.This film is what is known as a cult classic. It did not do well on its initial release, but people have come to appreciate it over time. It is a film to watch when you want to unwind and see some pure entertainment.It has all the elements of a classic late-night guys' popcorn flick. It has lots of guns, action, hot women, hot cars, and the classic showdown between good and evil. It also has a lot of laughs with a bit of quirky randomness. The plot holes are numerous, and the dialogue is sometimes stilted, but for some reason you just don't care, because the film is fun.Kevin Costner gives one of his best performances here (although everything Costner does is pure gold). You will love every scene he is in. Everyone did a great job, but Costner made the movie.One bit of a warning: the opening sequence is really odd, and only becomes clear after you have watched the whole movie, so try to keep an open mind.

Just finished watching this movie and after 10 years it has only gotten harder to view. There are some nice actors that have since gone on to bigger things, and some old actors that we haven't heard much from lately, so I thought it was worth a repeat view.I was a bit off the mark. There are some decent scenes, and it was nice to see familiar faces portraying somewhat interesting characters, but the premise of the film is so lacking credibility that I felt irritated throughout.First of all, if you are going to rob a casino full of Elvis impersonators while being dressed like Elvis why don't you use this to help escape or blend in?? Then, how do you spray every camera except the one that shows you taking the money? Why would you then have to go through the entire casino floor to get to the roof? This would perhaps be the most ridiculous- but it is topped by the struggle which makes up the entire rest of the movie- the money is taken from HARD COUNT.Now anyone who knows anything about casinos knows that they take in a lot of cash money. This money has to be counted (these are the people in the room where the gang-o-thieves grab the cash). This is not money from the bank but money going to the bank and therefore this money is in no way marked and there is absolutely NO REASON for it to be marked. So going to find someone to launder this cash is completely idiotic. Therefore the rest of this movie is idiotic and makes no sense whatsoever. Really people, I know this isn't supposed to be real life but base a movie on some sort of reality. Or else call it science fiction or fantasy or something. This was so far fetched that I couldn't objectively watch the rest. Too bad? Or maybe just as well.

I never saw this film on the big screen. I wish I had...as it is made for that size screen. Having 2 big names stars in it was a draw to begin with. Cosner and Russell do excellent jobs as bad men..who do everything outside of the law. Cosner is especially sadistic at times...he has no regard for anyone or anything. Russells' character is a criminal..but seems to have some redeeming qualities about him at times. To mix it up a little..they add a woman...Courtney Cox..to the mix..along with her kid..a rather smart mouth one at that...who may or may not be Russels' son..(it is implied...). So..it is about bad guys who basically want MONEY...and they are going to fight each other to get it. Sharing does not fit into their plans at all...as they travel to Vegas...the land of casinos and Elvis...and of course..MONEY...which is what they plan to get by dressing up as Elvis impersonators..no one will notice that since there is an Elvis convention going on there. It makes for a perfect cover. As the film goes along..we kind of want to root for the underdogs to get away...but we know by now that they probably won't win. The kid sees all of this stuff go down...he is more or less a hostage of sorts. He is getting a huge crash course in being tough and being a grown man. We cannot help but wonder what kind of man he will actually grow up to be in later years. I did like the ending quite a bit...with Coaster being gunned down...and Russell getting away via the stolen ambulance...helped by Cox and the kid. Did they live a happy and sweet life with all the stolen money? We kind of want to hope they did. Crime doesn't pay..as this film clearly shows...but maybe it also shows a kind not so bad guy might be able to change his ways when he finds out he has a son and a woman who truly loves him.