Documentary Movie Reviews

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Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970)

Rate: 10
Viewed: 10/25

10/25: I tried to watch Baz Luhrmann's overblown Elvis but gave up after thirty minutes and wanted to see the real Elvis by going with Elvis: That's the Way It Is.

It's almost as good as the '68 Comeback Special. Elvis Presley used to churn out movie hits during the 50's and the 60's. Then, they became more ridiculous, forcing him to reassess his career, because he had been increasingly irrelevant. When the '68 Comeback Special premiered, the audience was simply entranced by him all over again, and that ushered a new phase into his showbiz life: live musical acts in Las Vegas.

While watching prime Elvis perform in Elvis: That's the Way It Is, it's easy to tell that he's a walking sex symbol who's full of charisma. Going through a diverse collection of iconic and new songs, he plays to the audience so effortlessly well, and everybody is instantly attracted to him. Throughout it all, the editing is consistently strong.

If there's a negative, I would've liked to hear Elvis Presley be interviewed, so he could talk about his achievements while putting his career into perspective. The early footage is interesting because it proves that he had an ear for music. He knew what sounded right and what needed to be fixed; then, the changes were made, and the resulting work became harmonic with many band members involved.

All in all, Elvis: That's the Way It Is proves there's nobody like Elvis Presley.

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