Elvis Presley as a Las Vegas auto enthusiast who has to choose between racing his roadster or chasing Ann-Margret, playing a curvy hotel pool manager who usually has the day off. Not a total success for the stars--the script is heavy with talk, and there's an uncomfortable scene early on where Elvis lies to A-M about her car problems just to keep her around. I don't know WHY Presley is forced to sing "The Yellow Rose Of Texas" in a musical set in Nevada, but nevertheless, it's a friendly-enough frolic, and it certainly looks good. The dancing is hot, and Elvis and Ann-Margret seem so right together. Sure it's campy, and the whole business with him buying her a tree because she longs for suburbia defies explanation, but it's an idealistic, happily-ever-after fantasy. *** from ****

When you read my review, you should understand that I am not an Elvis fan. I don't dislike his music nor have any ill feelings towards him...I'm just not a fan. I say this because I do understand there are millions of people who adore him and his movies....and if this is the case for you, then you will love this film. I does have a few nice tunes. Apart from the great title song, it also features the very funny duet "The Lady Loves Me" and LOTS of Elvis!

As for me, since I am not a dyed in the wool Elvis lover and have only seen a few of his movies, I didn't have any sentimental attachment to the story or him. And, to me, it was a pretty one-dimensional film that was very broadly written...predictable, formulaic and at times, pretty silly.

So did I hate the film? No...but I just think that in this case (and with a few other films) Presley seemed to be content with going through the motions...with second-rate plots and super-simple and predictable plots. It's a shame, as I've seen him in a few dramas (such as "Love Me Tender" and "Charro!")...and he was good...very good. But here, well, he just seems to be giving the audience of the day what they want but, at the same time, giving very little when it comes to acting and surprises in the script.

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