Six-String Samurai

With big glasses, a mismatched jacket, running shoes, a guitar on his back, and a katana in his hand, the lone warrior wanders the post-nuclear wasteland to Lost Vegas to become the king of rock 'n' roll when Elvis calls it quits after 40 years. Fans of Tarantino's samurai epic should rethink their perspective because Buddy's journey in the company of a mute little man is an odyssey worthy of a Greek hero. You'll tend to forgive the inspiration it takes from Mad Max and the few scripting and logical flaws because they are amply made up for by the ultra-cool facade of not only the main character but the film as a whole. The cameraman doesn't skimp on the views from below, the fight choreography is great even without blood splatter, and the dry vision of the post-apocalyptic world is so evocative that you'll also feel like you're standing in an endless desert. The costume designers obviously went through a lot of looks from both rock ‘n’ roll and metal bands to find the right pieces to fit the protagonists. And when you add in the excellent musical score with its clear message that Elvis is alive, this is one of the most original spectacles that has somewhat incomprehensibly remained hidden from the eyes of the wider viewing public. (01.08.2006)