ver since the earliest internet whisperings regarding Bubba Ho-Tep, I have been stoked mightily to see this film. I mean, Bruce Campbell as Elvis? Hel-lo! I am so there! The mere premise was so completely delightful, just to think of it made me giggle. I took great pleasure in informing the local geek squad about this one (it's in shamefully limited release around here, and getting almost no press). Watching their expressions change from a sort of indignant bafflement as it was a title they hadn't yet heard of, to instant delirium at the mention of The Chin as The King was a real thrill. For awhile I felt like the fairy godmother of b-cinema, what with all the "no ways" and the "oh, dudes". Pretty heady stuff for someone who is used to hearing "I downloaded that, like, a month ago", when I think I have a hot post-production tip.

But after finally catching it, on Halloween night of all nights, I somehow left a bit confused. This wasn't at all what I expected, and I couldn't figure out why, all of a sudden, I wasn't belting out eternally quotable "Campbellisms" with the same fervor I did after seeing everything from the Evil Dead series.

Well, listen up, you primitive screwheads! Don't make the same mistake I did. Don't go into this one expecting to see Ash as Elvis. In fact, Campbell plays Elvis with such respect and reverence you have to remind yourself that he's in there at all. Which is not to say Bubba Ho-Tep, or indeed, the revered Campbell dynasty suffers at all for it. Quite the contrary, this one's a real gem.

The tale of Bubba Ho-Tep goes a little something like this; Elvis Presley (Bruce Campbell) is alive, but not well. The King now in his 70's resides, long forgotten, in a dreary rest home in Texas slowly wasting away. He has little left to look forward to other than lunch and what's on television as he drifts in and out of a nearly perpetual, uneasy sleep. In his daily brief, sad waking moments, he contemplates the eventuality of death, his lost beauty and youth, the daughter who barely knew him, the possible cancer festering on his...uhm...kingly scepter, and the only woman he ever truly loved; Priscilla.

The King has left the building, and in his place lies a dottering old man in pajamas with a less than regal physique. He fights to be treated with just a little bit of dignity by the nursing home staff who believe him to be Sebastian Haff, the name on his admission record and an Elvis impersonator who fell off a stage many years ago and broke his hip.

After the eerie and suspicious death of his room-mate Bull Thomas (Harrison Young), Elvis is woken from one of his numerous naps by Bull's hard-hearted daughter Callie (Heidi Marnhout) as she is rifling through Bull's meager belongings in search of valuables. Seemingly galvanized by an inadvertent glimpse up Callie's skirt, Elvis a.k.a. Sebastian begins to tell the tale of his true identity to her and his nurse (Ella Joyce) who are less than convinced of his legendary status.

News of this confession travels fast, and Elvis is soon approached by someone who is convinced; fellow resident Jack Kennedy (Ossie Davis). As in former president and assassination victim John F. Kennedy. When Elvis questions the voracity of Jack's claim by pointing out the most obvious hitch, that he's black, Jack counters this observation with; "They dyed me this color!" After another suspicious death at the nursing home, Elvis begins having visions and noticing strange things, not the least of which is the appearance of a sarcophagus beetle "the size of a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich". Suddenly interested in more than just television and whatever sad cafeteria food is on offer, Elvis finds renewed, albeit limited vigor while he and JFK attempt to solve the mystery of these strange deaths.

Their investigations lead them to the discovery of an Egyptian mummy thousands of years old stalking the nursing home and feeding parasitically off the life force of its residents. The mummy is from the Ho-Tep dynasty and wears cowboy duds, hence the title Bubba Ho-Tep. Elvis and JFK set about to destroy the mummy and save the remaining residents from its murdering rampages.

Based on the Bram Stoker Award nominee short story by cult author Joe R. Lansdale, Bubba Ho-Tep is an engaging if outlandish tale. Clocking in at barely over 90 minutes, you don't have time to be bored, and really, are you so jaded that you would be? Elvis and JFK vs the Cowboy Mummy? There's a premise that couldn't be boring if it tried. The pacing is swift, perhaps a little too much so toward the very end where the big showdown seems to fly right by in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it way, but this is hardly a complaint when you consider the all too familiar alternative.

Another thing that might trigger some misdirected criticism is the unapologetic lack of effects budget. Those unfamiliar with the b-movie comedy/horror genre might find this particularly irritating. But, when you consider how many truly bad movies try to pass themselves off as good by tarting it up with Liberia's deficit blown on the CGI alone, it's unbelievably refreshing to see a huge plastic beetle being tugged along jerkily, and obviously, by a fishing line.

The important thing here is the story, and the filmmakers are not going to waste any time or money telling it by frittering away cash on bells and whistles. And I'm thankful they didn't, because the story is great. Campbell and Davis play their respective parts with more dignity and respect for these American icons than the kooky set-up might suggest. Particularly Campbell, who, though Campbelliciously tongue-in-cheek busting septuagenarian kung-fu moves complete with swoopy sound effects, still manages to make the King as kingly as he ought to be.

All in all, I think fans of pulp cinema, Elvis, crackpot conspiracy theories and, of course, Bruce Campbell will be immeasurably pleased with Bubba Ho-Tep. There's a laugh a minute, a few sneak-up-on-you type scares and a surprising amount of poignant moments crammed into this short little feature, and while the ending is admittedly hurried, it is nonetheless heroic enough to be considered fit for a king.

If you can find this one playing somewhere near you and it sounds like your cup of tea, Bubba Ho-Tep is more than worth your time. In Bruce Campbell, Elvis definitely lives.

Thank you. Thank you veruh much.