TheLittleSongbird Elvis Presley was a hugely influential performer with one of the most distinctive singing voices of anybody. He embarked on a film career consisting of 33 films from 1956 to 1969, films that did well at the box-office but mostly panned critically (especially his later films) and while he was a highly charismatic performer he was never considered a great actor.'Viva Las Vegas' is proof that most of his earlier films were pretty good ('Kissin' Cousins' and 'Girls! Girls! Girls!' were the closest the period came to misfires but neither among his worst), some close to great even. Not only is 'Viva Las Vegas' Elvis' best 60s film along with 'Flaming Star' and the best since, but it's also one of his best films overall with 'King Creole', 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Flaming Star' and 'Loving You'.Its weak links are a story that's narratively minimal but also rushed and disjointed and a simplistic and corny script. Then again these two elements rarely were strengths in Elvis' films, far from it. A couple of the travelogue-like scenes drag the film down tad slightly too.Otherwise, there is not much in 'Viva Las Vegas' that's wrong. Elvis is at his most confident, enthusiastic and charismatic in a few years, and he has a more than worthy partner in Ann-Margret, whose vivacious and snappy turn is one of his best leading lady performances and actually comes close to stealing the show under him. Their chemistry is superb, and there's little to fault the solid supporting cast that includes William Demarest.Further strengths are the wonderful Panavision cinematography, adroit direction by George Sidney, boundless energy and charm, scenery that never looks cheap and impeccable choreography that has so much kinetic energy and grace.It isn't an Elvis film without a soundtrack, preferably a good one and 'Viva Las Vegas' has more than a good one. It's one of the best of any of his films, while a few are more memorable than others they're well-used, well-placed and not forgettable and there isn't a disposable song in the lot. Along with the iconic title song, standouts are the gentle "The Lady Loves Me", the witty "Come On Everybody" and the Ray Charles classic "What'd I Say".All in all, very good and one of the best from the King of Rock and Roll. 8/10 Bethany Cox

imanhassan-53889 Viva Las Vegas is a film musical for all ages. Elvis presently, who is the star of the film, plays lucky, a speed racer who dreams of winning the grand prix, but he must pay his hotel bill, in order to get the engine. but lost the money when he fell in pool, which rusty,(played by Ann Margaret) his love interest, pushed him into the water. Lucky must work for the hotel to get back his money and win the race, while wooing his lover.This movie is fun to watch. elvis surpisngly is a good actor. usually famous singers are terrible actors, but he knows his dialogue well. Ann Margaret is really good, and her singing makes the musical fun. the only part i don't get is the ending, its too rushed. Overall, viva las vegas is a great film for anybody. 8/10

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.

hall895 Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret are a terrific pair in Viva Las Vegas. A shame then that this great coupling came together in such a mediocre movie. The movie's stars are great. The movie isn't. There's a very flimsy story. Of course in an Elvis Presley movie the story is only really there to set up the songs. Unfortunately the songs are generally disappointing as well. The famous title track is excellent, though maybe not so excellent that we had to hear it three times in less than ninety minutes. C'mon Everybody is an energetic number and The Lady Loves Me a fine duet for the two big stars. But the rest of the songs pretty much all fall flat. With the rather humdrum story the movie needed its songs to liven things up and that just does not happen. The movie really drags at points and many of the songs only exacerbate that problem.Presley plays Lucky Jackson, a race car driver who needs to raise money for a new engine for the big Las Vegas Grand Prix. Of course he gets sidetracked by a nubile young beauty and ends up pursuing her. This beauty is of course Ann-Margret's character. Her name is Rusty Martin and Lucky is not the only man giving chase. Another driver has the hots for Rusty too and this potential love triangle is what carries the story forward. The story never really sparks to life though. Presley and Ann-Margret certainly have their moments, there is great chemistry between the two. But by and large it is quite a dull film. Quite predictable too. It all leads up to the big, climactic final scene which is meant to be incredibly exciting. But that scene is a dud too, and goes on for much too long when honestly you are ready for the movie to just be over. The two stars did the best they could but the material they had to work with here just wasn't good enough. Presley's singing and Ann-Margret's unique 1960s style dancing make Viva Las Vegas a movie maybe worth seeing once. But it is unlikely to be a movie you will want to revisit again.