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3000 Miles to Graceland (R, 2001)

common sense media says

Extremely violent Elvis-based robbery for 17+ only.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is extremely violent, at a level that would have received an X-rating just a few years ago. The movie also has very strong language, bathroom humor, and sexual references and situations (explicit, but no nudity). Couples have sex immediately after they meet. Many characters are killers and thieves to the point of preposterousness. They deceive and betray one another and they kill carelessly and recklessly. A child is an incorrigible thief. He is repeatedly exposed to extreme violence and sexual activity and he is both abandoned and kidnapped.

Violence: Extremely violent with prolonged and extensive and explicit gunfights.
Sex: Very explicit sexual situations and references, no nudity.
Language: Extremely strong language.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: A lot of drinking and smoking.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on 3000 Miles to Graceland

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families who see this movie could talk about the enduring appeal of Elvis, and how the dreams of the different characters affected their choices.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Nine-tenths attitude and one-tenth gunplay, this testosterone-fueled story has a tasty premise: In the middle of an Elvis convention in Las Vegas, a team of five Elvis impersonators rob a casino. Kevin Costner plays Murphy, the man behind the scheme. He hooks up with Michael (Kurt Russell, looking happy to be back in his Elvis clothes after playing Elvis in a memorable made-for-TV movie 20-odd years ago). They and three other guys (Christian Slater, David Arquette, and Bokeem Woodbine) suit up as Elvises and break into the cash room of the casino. Things do not go exactly as planned, and there is a lot of shooting involving a lot of automatic weapons. Most of the rest of the movie focuses on Murphy, Michael, and Cybil (Courteney Cox), a down-on-her-luck woman with a larcenous young son (who is supposed to be endearing but comes across as a budding sociopath). They try to get away with the money with Murphy and federal marshals (Thomas Haden Church and Kevin Pollack -- both terrific) in pursuit.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The movie makes a bad mistake: The heist is out of the way too quickly. We don't get to see them plan -- we just get to see them bicker on the way there. That means the rest of the movie feels anticlimactic, taking far too much time with post-heist schemes and betrayals. Despite some clever cinematography, fast-paced editing, and the never-ending appeal of Elvis and Elvis impersonators, 3000 MILES TO GRACELAND never rises above average.

The rumor is that Costner and Russell battled over the final cut of the film and even tested two different versions. This one may have been a compromise, because there are some plot holes that appear to have been set up to be resolved, but just got left hanging when it was recut. Or, it may be that writer/director Demien Lichtenstein was more interested in jazzy images and explosions than he was in the plot. Many who see this movie will feel the same way.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Demian Lichtenstein
Cast: Courteney Cox, Kevin Costner, Kurt Russell
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 125 minutes
Theatrical release: February 23, 2001
DVD release: August 7, 2001
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong violence, sexuality and language.
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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haha_wait_wat
teen, 15 years old
12
 
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Loved This Movie As A Kid
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MovieLover4Lyfe
adult
14
 
while I love Elvis, I'm not so sure I would love this movie.
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)

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