Is this a bad comedy or a bad action film? It's one or the other. Violence rules in 3000 Miles to Graceland. Michael, fresh out of prison, arrives in a desert way-stop to join a gang of thugs planning to knock off a Las Vegas Casino. The big originality here? Vegas is rocking with a big Elvis impersonator convention and the gang is dressed to walk in to the vaults virtually unnoticed. Right? Can you really hide those big guns? 
     Before the gang arrives, Michael gets a quickie from the local road-stop nymphomaniac Cybil, bonds like oil to vinegar with her young son Jesse, and the dynamics are set for a cross-country chase after dough and revenge. Apparently, we are supposed to sympathize with Michael, the only remotely redeemable character.  Michael's chief attribute is that he doesn't shoot people with the same reckless abandon as every other jabbony in this far-fetched thin plotted flick.

Even glitzy Vegas can't pump up flat tire script. ©Warner

     The humor is dished out is huge shapeless blobs. Subtlety is left behind on the creative floor. The photography is excessively gimmicky. Fast frenetic editing does nothing to instill some order of reason to the dim-witted script. The pathetic script provides a pattern of gratuitous violence and strange character relationships. The inane movie directed by Demien Lichtenstein is a perfect reflection. 
       Kurt Russell tries hard to give Michael some appeal, but there's nothing beneath the surface of his slick Elvis outfit. Kevin Costner gets oily and surly as Murphy, the shake, rattle and roll brains behind the misbegotten enterprise. Courtney Cox plays Cybil with a vacuous smile that's supposed to cover up a duplicitous resourcefulness. The on the road antics aren't exactly an actor's vehicle. 
     At least 3000 Miles to Graceland looks great. It consistently displays outstanding color and detail. It's very sharp. Shadow detail is excellent. Varied lighting schemes are perfectly rendered. Terrific bright flashy Las Vegas night sky is excellent. The explosions are lively. The music has plenty of punch on the soundtrack. Good striking surround sound. No artifacts in sight with rock steady details and perfectly straight edges. No edginess and fabrics look great. You can count every hair on a three-hour beard or check out the downy hair on a pretty gal's face.

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L.A. Confidential (SE) /A,A

 Unquestionably the best picture of 1997. Top-notch entertainment with superb acting.