By EWAN McDONALD
(Herald rating: * * )
Don't be cruel: every year thousands of wannabe Kings in their white satin jumpsuits and rhinestones descend on Las Vegas for International Elvis Week. This year five of them are nothing but hound dogs: a gang that dresses up as Elvis impersonators and robs
a casino, in a blaze of gore and gunfire, while an Elvis revue plays on stage behind them.
With blood all over their blue suede shoes are Kevin Costner as Thomas Murphy, the mean, chain-smoking leader of the pack; Kurt Russell, who memorably played the King on TV a few years ago, as Michael Zane, just freed from being a jailhouse rocker; Christian Slater, David Arquette and Bokeem Woodbine. The gang makes off with $3.2 million but it turns to custard when Murphy looks at the money and thinks, I want you, I need you, I love you, and shoots his mates.
Zane takes off across Middle America in search of Murphy with the marshal (Kevin Pollak) closing in, and ... are you lonesome tonight? There's a deviation when he becomes involved with an entirely unnecessary Courteney Cox, whose kid steals his wallet from the bedroom while they are developing their relationship.
Mostly, though, it's a wooden-hearted, extremely violent shoot-'em-up that's filmed like an MTV video (because that's where the director came from), and a strange career choice for Costner.
Running time: 125 mins
Rental: Today
