With hopes it can reach the heights of recent biographical musical dramas such as Walk The Line and Bohemian Rhapsody, Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’ hits theaters this week as it tries to chronicle the life and career of one of the most iconic singers in the world. , actor and heartthrob Elvis ‘The King’ Presley.

The film, which is well over two hours long, will delve into the star’s early childhood career and detail his journey to becoming a rock and roll star and film superstar, as well as his complex relationship with his manager. . Col. Tom Parker.

Expectations for the film were already high but, following positive reviews and a rave response to its Cannes Film Festival premiere last month, many fans of the singer are now eager to see how Austin Butler portrays the role of hip shakin’, hound Elvis.

Brought to the big screen by Oscar-nominated director Luhrmann, viewers can expect his signature directing style, which often includes flamboyant and lavish productions, gorgeous golden color schemes and an emphasis on heightened reality.

One of cinema’s most celebrated directors, the Australian has won a total of four Australian Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, alongside a Tony and a Golden Globe Award.

Austin Butler takes the lead in the role of “The King,” with the 30-year-old Californian already critically acclaimed for his role as the iconic singer.

The legendary Tom Hanks is perhaps the film’s biggest star, along with Colonel Tom Parker – Elvis’ manager.

Elsewhere, Helen Thomson (A Place to Call Home) is Gladys Presley, Elvis’ mother, while Richard Roxburgh (Van Helsing) is Vernon Presley, Elvis’ father. Olivia DeJonge (The Society) will play Elvis’ wife, Priscilla Presley.

There are also confirmed roles for Luke Bracey, Natasha Bassett, David Wenham, Christopher Sommers and Kelvin Harrison Jr., who will portray BB King.

Like many of Luhrmann’s films, Elvis is over two hours long, with the biopic being a true epic that will document the life and times of the singer, actor and global phenomenon. The film will last a total of 159 minutes and will enjoy wide distribution.

Elvis was given a 12A by the BBFC, due to drug abuse, discrimination, sexual references, injury details, foul language.

Elvis had its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2022, where it received a twelve-minute standing ovation from the audience, the longest for an American film at the festival. It was released in Luhrmann’s native Australia and the United States on June 23.

The film will officially be released in UK cinemas on June 24.

Perhaps surprisingly, early reviews for Elvis’ new movie are mixed, with plenty of good — and bad — reviews of the film.

Rotten Tomatoes currently has it rated at 79%, which isn’t much to say. The rating means the film is currently ‘certified fresh’ – however, an analysis of some of the film’s early reviews indicates a wide fluctuation in opinions.

One of the world’s top film critics, The Playlist, asked Charles Bramesco to review the film, and he was unimpressed, saying, “Raw, whirling machismo turned Elvis into a god with the power to bring teenyboppers to instant orgasm with a swing of the hips.. Under the uncontrolled tutelage of Luhrmann, this overwhelming dynamo of charisma is made simply loud.

However, Anna Smith of The Metro gave it a 3/5 and a generally positive review, which read, “What happens when the director of Moulin Rouge! made a movie about Elvis? Lots of shakes, rattles and razzmatazz.

However, Philip De Semlyen of TimeOut praised the film and, in particular, Austin Butler’s performance as King much more, saying, “When Austin Butler shakes his hips at the first Elvis concert as rock ‘n’ roll in its own right, it’s like watching two stars being born.

So, it looks like you’ll just have to go to the movies and find out for yourself!