Stepping Back in Time With The King: "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert" Unveiled

Imagine being transported back to that concert you still reminisce about, the euphoria, the chills, and the pure magic. Well, buckle up, music lovers! The upcoming documentary, “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,” from the visionary Baz Luhrmann, promises to invoke that feeling.

Picture a modern shrine to Elvis Presley: a 96-minutes vortex submerging you into the seduction of the King's live Las Vegas performances in '69 and early '70s. Iconic white suit, flashy cape, car-grille sunglasses, the bling, and extravagant antics drowning his strained and powerful voice. The stereotypical Elvis Vegas era that's been parodied and sadly brushed off as dime-store Americana is about to get a revamp.

The rock 'n' roll legend's Las Vegas era has morphed in hindsight. Once perceived as cringe-worthy cheesiness, it's become a pioneering precursor to today's string of Vegas residencies. That once scorned 'Liberace style', drenched in sequined swagger, is now appreciated as true rock 'n' roll glam keeping stars like Gaga on her toes. Elvis, still in his sizzling prime during the early '70s, commanded the stage and transfixed audiences with his signature voice and flamboyant moves – he was indeed still the King.

I had an epiphany during a "Bohemian Rhapsody" screening years ago. As a Queen fan, I can attest to Freddie Mercury's electrifying stage presence. But folks, let me say, Elvis in the early '70s was lightning in a bottle - his voice echoed with a singular beauty, his performances buzzed with sensual energy and charisma – he was the Rock-God personified.

Luhrmann has meticulously pieced together unseen footages and unheard interviews for the film. A treasure-trove of memorable performances expertly crafted into an immersive concert film, where Elvis - the perfectionist, the consummate performer, the quintessential entertainer - comes alive.

During Elvis's Vegas stint from '69 to '77, his fame might have dwindled with his personal struggles. But, this documentary concentrates on those golden years and invites audiences to feel Elvis's radical vitality, where the dynamism of '56 Elvis synchs with the melody of '70s Elvis.

F. Scott Fitzgerald famously said, "there are no second acts in American life". But Elvis Presley defied that notion with his TV comeback special in '68 and his subsequent successful encore in Vegas. A glimpse into this era paints Elvis as a pop and rock sensation rather than a rebellious icon, revealing a side of him many are not accustomed to.

Complementing the razzle-dazzle of Elvis’s Las Vegas performances are moments of humor and vulnerability. The star's playful, mischievous spirit shines through - mocking lyrics, singing with a bra on his head (fans apparently loved throwing them on stage), all adding to the engaging allure of the film.

The documentary reaches a crescendo with Elvis's poignant performance of "Suspicious Minds". At the end of “EPiC," you feel inclined to give a standing ovation to both the King and Baz Luhrmann. True to its title, the movie provides a raw, untamed version of Elvis, where the sheer magnitude of his presence reminds us why he was, and always will be, the King.