Bubba Ho-tep
Director: Don Coscarelli
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Ossie Davis, Ella Joyce
Reviewed by Brian M. Sammons
Have you ever wanted to see Elvis battle a mummy with a black JFK helping him, with all that taking place in a retirement home? If so, you’re in luck, because the wonderfully weird mind of author Joe R. Lansdale, the filmmaking prowess of Don Coscarelli, and the more than able acting chops of Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis came together and did just that. The end result is the movie Bubba Ho-tep, and it is a pure slice of awesome. If you have seen it, then you already know this, and just jump down to the part where I discuss the special features on this new Blu-ray from Scream Factory to see if it’s worth a double dip from you. If you haven’t seen this flick yet, boy are you in for a treat when you do. But keep reading for a nickel tour of the plot, if you’re so inclined. Or just take my word that this movie is a one-of-a-kind winner and get it. You can thank me later.
In the world of Bubba Ho-tep, Elvis isn’t dead, he’s just stuck in a rundown retirement home with cancer of the penis and more often than not, wishing he was dead. His best friend is a black man in a wheelchair who claims he is the real President John F. Kennedy, who had a large chunk of his brain replaced with a bag of sand, and his skin dyed so no one would recognize him. Into this world of wacky comes a cowboy hat and boot wearing ancient mummy, who is stealing the life from the senior citizens in this rest home, and he does this by sucking their soul out of their buttholes. So it’s up to Elvis and JFK to save the day from the anallingus-loving undead creature, because no one else would ever believe a story that crazy.
Yes, you read all of the above correctly. Obviously, Bubba Ho-tep is far more interested in humor than horror, and in that respect this movie is an overwhelming success. It’s remarkably laugh out loud funny with so much crazy shenanigans going on to keep the smile plastered to your face throughout its run time. But (and here’s the real surprise) this movie has a ton of heart, too. Bruce Campbell is amazing as Elvis. This is easily, and by far, the best acing he has ever done. He embodies that role so completely that not even the ever present shadow of Ash from The Evil Dead that always looms over Campbell in everything he does can get in the way. Bruce Campbell is Elvis. Period. And then there is Ossie Davis, that, while even in the strange world of this movie isn’t the actual JFK, plays the part with such warmth, conviction, and gravitas, that you start to believe that maybe, just maybe, he could be. I would sure as hell want him to be my president. These two together have great chemistry and they are the heart, soul, and backbone of this movie. If they didn’t absolutely kill it with their performances here, this whole movie would have come crashing down. Both of these actors needed much more recognition for their efforts then they ever got for this. But that is not to say the direction from the mind behind the Phantasm series, Don Coscarelli, was substandard. On the contrary, this is easily the best thing he has done since the original Tall Man movie, and in my book, it even gives that a run for its money. And yes, there is the story by Lansdale as its rock solid base, but that’s no real surprise. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by Joe R. Lansdale that I didn’t like.
On to the extras that Scream Factory has put together for this Blu-ray release. First there are three audio commentaries: one is brand new to this edition and is a complete hoot. It is with the real father of Bubba Ho-Tep, the author of the original story and all around good guy, Joe R. Lansdale. Then there is one with director Don Coscarelli and actor Bruce Campbell, and with those two together, a good time is guaranteed. Last there is one by “The King,” and by that I mean it is Bruce Campbell again, but this time doing the whole thing as Elvis. All three of these commentary tracks are a whole lot of fun and well worth a listen. Then there are three lengthy interviews here for your enjoyment: “The King Lives” is a 22 minute interview with star Bruce Campbell, “All is Well” is a talk with director Don Coscarelli that runs 24 minutes, and “Mummies and Make-up” with special make-up effects mastermind Robert Kurtzman that’s 9 minutes. There is a collection of deleted scenes that can be played with optional commentary with Coscarelli and Campbell, and “Footage from the Temple Room Floor” is about 2 minutes of footage set in ancient Egypt times that wasn’t used in the film. Then there are some featurettes: the first is a general making-of that’s over 23 minutes, followed by one on the make-up effects used to bring the mummy to life that’s 5 minutes long. A third is about the costume used for the King that’s almost 7 minutes long, and the last one is on the music in the movie that’s nearly 13 minutes. Then we get author Joe. R. Lansdale reading excerpts from his original story, and a collection of vintage (read: shot in 2002) interviews with Bruce Campbell about the movie. There is a music video for the theme song of the movie, a photo gallery, TV spot, and theatrical trailer to bring this baby on home.
Bubba Ho-Tep is a wickedly fun film that anyone, horror fan or not, can love. Well made, well-acted, surprisingly touching, with plenty of laugh out loud moments. It is a must have, and this new Blu-ray from Scream Factory is the way to have it. So consider this release well beyond highly recommended.
