goolizap
This film would never get made today. At least not with intents this transparent. It serves to glorify Elvis Presley and his embodiment. But back in 1964, these types of B-movies were just accepted. Nowadays teen cinema consists of a post-apocalyptic love triangle. Much more realistic. Not quite as blatant.Elvis plays Lucky, a race car driver who's in Las Vegas to compete in the Vegas Grand Prix. He needs a new engine but is strapped for cash due to contrived reasons. He falls for Rusty (Ann- Margret) who seems to be abruptly against his racing ways.This movie is all over the place. About halfway through it becomes disjointed, making it obvious what its purpose is. For a pointless, plot less story, it's way too convoluted. For an 84 minute film, it takes its sweet time, attempting to thin itself out to cover the short runtime. But then, once it realizes it's home free, the story progresses ridiculously fast and things never get resolved. Elvis and Ann-Margret have undeniable chemistry, but their depth is almost non-existent. Lucky's motivations are unclear, and Rusty goes from a likable, independent worker woman at the beginning of the film to an incompetent bimbo by the end. The songs and dance numbers are impressively catchy, but that's all this movie is. The few glamorous Las Vegas shots are nice, but there aren't nearly enough in a movie with the city's name in the title. It almost seems like a blown opportunity to make a cool story about gambling or mobsters. Instead, it's about racing--something few of us think of when talking about Vegas.It's a dated movie, but that's perhaps the best thing this film has to offer. There are some cool shots of the Vegas of yesteryear. There's one in particular showing the front of the Flamingo as it used to be--alone, with nothing on either side. Contrastingly, we get a shot of Fremont Street in all its garish glory--busy and crowded, sans the 1,500 foot canopy movie screen overhead. While watching this, my fiancée turns to me and says, "You used to be able to drive down Fremont Street???" My, how things have changed.Twizard Rating: 57
Hot 888 Mama
Since nearly everyone in their right mind now, or in 1963 when VIVA LAS VEGAS marked Elvis' debut as a chopper jockey, would answer, "Heck, no!," VEGAS may not be your cup of tea, even if you're otherwise a fan of "The King." What's billed as "the most exciting road race ever filmed!!!" in the theatrical trailer for VEGAS seems tacked on to this flick's over-crowded finale as an afterthought. Race cars crash and burn for almost no reason, while the field seems to always remain about the same size, bunched improbably close together after many HOURS of open road racing. A few seconds of wedding immediately follows the checkered flag. The bride and her marriage seem headed up the road a pace to Reno, since none of her concerns about the groom's immaturity have been given meaningful resolutions. Whereas Elvis' outing in KING CREOLE addressed some of the serious racial issues of its day, VIVA LAS VEGAS seems even more of an exercise in air-headed cotton candy than JAILHOUSE ROCK. It does not have an honest bone in its body. Any bones present are more like those plaguing ill-prepared fish, likely to stick in your throat if you think about this flick for more than a moment.
mike48128
As an Elvis movie it only scores an "8", but Ann-Margret runs away with this film. Directed by George Sidney, who also directed, "Bye-Bye Birdie", with her as well. For my money, she outshines Elvis at many turns and she even sings better than him! Her dancing and skin-tight outfits are very seductive! The two have great "chemistry" on-screen and probably off-screen as well, as we all know Elvis was a real "hound-dog". Lots of process shots and continuity errors, which were spotted by others. The worst is that a very similar, but not the same, red race car crashes. If you have been to Vegas, then the scenery filmed here is quite enjoyable and nostalgic. Today's Flamingo Hotel looks nothing like this and neither does the rest of Vegas. Ironically, Elvis never played at the Flamingo. He played "The International", now called the LVH. Several good songs, including "I Need Somebody" and the iconic "Viva" title tune. A very tight movie. It moves fast and ends abruptly. One of the most ambitiously filmed races, it shows Hoover Dam and a bit of the desert. Don't watch the Grand Prix race too closely, as the editing is really bad. Cars that crash or swerve reappear again. Elvis and The Count are siting still in their prop race cars, and only the "rear-projection" background is moving! The same with the helicopter shots! A good musical, but, as usual, a silly screenplay. The worst song has to be "The Eyes of Texas" medley, which should have been cut. The 2007 Warner Bros. restoration is quite good.
Zoooma
Forget Elvis, this is an Ann-Margret movie! She is just outstanding and so wonderfully beautiful to look at! You can tell that she had so much fun making this picture. And I guess The King's acting wasn't all that bad. There are the standard songs he sings but he's here to act, as well.There's not a whole lot of plot but the thing is, it's not so much about a plot, it's about the musical numbers and the Elvis-Ann-Margret interaction. I also love seeing Vegas in the 1960's so there's some pretty cool scenery, too. This is the second time I have seen this, first in over a dozen years, and I look forward to seeing it again one day.--The Kat Pirate Screener
AD
