For years, I thought all of Elvis Presley's films were pure fluff...with simple plots, a lot of songs and not much else to them. However, I recently watched all of his early films and was shocked...they were serious films and Elvis seemed like a natural in front of the camera. Don't believe me, try watching "Love Me Tender", "King Creole" or "Wild in the Country"...they are really excellent films and Elvis should have been proud of his work. But later, his films lacked depth and the stories were pretty much unimportant. What was important was him getting the girl and singing...period.
I mention all this because I consider "Blue Hawaii" to be a film that spelled the beginning of the inane period for Presley...films that, frankly, were lazy. Now this does NOT mean "Blue Hawaii" was a bad movie...but it introduced the sort of plot elements that led to movies like "Spinout" (listed in the book "The 50 Worst Movies of All Time" by Harry Medved) and "A Change of Habit"!
The story begins with Chad (Elvis) returning home from a hitch in the Army. He has no interest in going back home to see his parents...and you soon see why, as his mother is a vacuous and over-controlling nut! This is among Angela Lansbury's weakest roles, as her character comes on WAY too strong and is almost a caricature instead of a character. Char's father doesn't do much to discourage her creepy overprotective behavior...and you understand why Chad wants to move out and find his own job instead of going into the family business. So what is his job? He's going to be a tour guide...and that makes him very happy. How does all this turn out? See the film.
"Blue Hawaii" is enjoyable...hence my score of 7. But it also is filled with WAY too many songs in order to capitalize on his musical talent instead of acting talent. There are 14 songs...yes, 14 in the movie!! Earlier ones might feature two or three...and were much more plot-driven. It also gives Elvis little to do when it comes to his character. Yes, Chad is a nice guy...but apart from wanting independence and singing all the time, there's not much more to him. I think the family would have been even better with a few fewer songs and a bit more when it comes to plot. Still...who am I to complain?! The film WAS his most successful movie and the soundtrack sold millions...but it also shortchanged Elvis' ambitions to be taken more seriously.
I mention all this because I consider "Blue Hawaii" to be a film that spelled the beginning of the inane period for Presley...films that, frankly, were lazy. Now this does NOT mean "Blue Hawaii" was a bad movie...but it introduced the sort of plot elements that led to movies like "Spinout" (listed in the book "The 50 Worst Movies of All Time" by Harry Medved) and "A Change of Habit"!
The story begins with Chad (Elvis) returning home from a hitch in the Army. He has no interest in going back home to see his parents...and you soon see why, as his mother is a vacuous and over-controlling nut! This is among Angela Lansbury's weakest roles, as her character comes on WAY too strong and is almost a caricature instead of a character. Char's father doesn't do much to discourage her creepy overprotective behavior...and you understand why Chad wants to move out and find his own job instead of going into the family business. So what is his job? He's going to be a tour guide...and that makes him very happy. How does all this turn out? See the film.
"Blue Hawaii" is enjoyable...hence my score of 7. But it also is filled with WAY too many songs in order to capitalize on his musical talent instead of acting talent. There are 14 songs...yes, 14 in the movie!! Earlier ones might feature two or three...and were much more plot-driven. It also gives Elvis little to do when it comes to his character. Yes, Chad is a nice guy...but apart from wanting independence and singing all the time, there's not much more to him. I think the family would have been even better with a few fewer songs and a bit more when it comes to plot. Still...who am I to complain?! The film WAS his most successful movie and the soundtrack sold millions...but it also shortchanged Elvis' ambitions to be taken more seriously.