--- title: "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/epic-elvis-presley-in-concert/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/epic-elvis-presley-in-concert" critics_score: 78 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert (2026): what the critics said Critics' score 78 from 11 reviews: 9 positive, 1 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics welcome EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert as an absorbing celebration of Elvis on stage, with nine of the eleven reviews positive. Praise centres on the restored concert footage, the immediacy of the images and sound, and the force of his singing. The reviews repeatedly single out his command of an audience and the energy captured in the assembled performances. Several suggest that the film brings the performer close enough to engage viewers beyond his established admirers. The disagreement concerns how much scrutiny should accompany that celebration. Even favourable reviews find the documentary passages underdeveloped, the treatment of Colonel Tom Parker blunt, or the material short on discoveries for existing fans. The spread is wide, despite the strong positive majority. The Guardian offers the clearest dissent: it admires Elvis’s stage presence but argues that Luhrmann excuses and sentimentalises him, making the evasions about his history harder to accept. ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 16 February 2026. Rooney finds the film a transcendent, exhilarating celebration of Elvis as a performer. He especially praises the restored concert footage, whose vivid images and crystalline sound make the performances feel immediate and alive. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/epic-elvis-presley-in-concert-review-baz-luhrmann-1236477394/) ## Los Angeles Times — Amy Nicholson Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 19 February 2026. Nicholson praises the documentary as a rapturous celebration of Elvis’s live performance, though it deliberately leaves out the tragedy of his offstage life. She singles out his magnetic command of the crowd, especially his playful, hypnotic interaction with a backing singer. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2026-02-19/epic-elvis-presley-in-concert-review-las-vegas-documentary-baz-lurhmann) ## Empire — Barry Levitt Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 27 February 2026. Levitt finds the concert experience exhilarating and otherworldly, making the film one of cinema’s most thrilling musical experiences. He praises the restored archival footage and Elvis’s onstage presence, while noting that the documentary sections feel underdeveloped. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/epic-elvis-presley-in-concert/) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Rating Critics Pick. 7 September 2025. Festival review. Gleiberman calls the film an extraordinary, exciting concert experience and a dazzling tribute to Elvis’s late-period greatness. He especially praises the newly assembled footage for capturing the power of Elvis’s voice and live performances. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/epic-elvis-presley-in-concert-review-baz-luhrmann-1236510843/) ## Little White Lies — Emily Maskell Rating 4/4/4. 17 February 2026. Maskell finds the film a euphoric, distinctive celebration that brings Elvis vividly into the present. She praises the restored footage and concert-like energy, though she notes the blunt treatment of Colonel Tom Parker. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/epic-elvis-presley-in-concert) ## Time Out — Ed Gibbs Rating 4/5. 16 February 2026. The review calls the film a joyous experience. It praises the eye-popping concert footage of Elvis at his peak. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/epic-elvis-presley-in-concert-review-2026) ## The Observer — Wendy Ide Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 28 February 2026. Ide calls the film a boisterously enjoyable celebration that should appeal even to Elvis agnostics. She praises the meticulously restored concert footage and archival material. [Read the review](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/wendy-ides-pick-of-other-films-the-testament-of-ann-lee-all-you-need-is-kill-molly-vs-the-machines-and-more) ## The Guardian — Radheyan Simonpillai Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 7 September 2025. Festival review. Simonpillai finds the film an electric celebration undermined by its evasive treatment of Elvis’s history. He praises the singer’s mesmerizing stage presence but criticizes Luhrmann for excusing and sentimentalizing him. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/sep/07/epic-elvis-presley-in-concert-review) ## Collider — Liam Gaughan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 27 February 2026. Gaughan finds the film a more effective tribute to Elvis than Luhrmann’s biopic, and an absorbing way to experience the performer. He praises the restored footage’s immediacy and the film’s vivid presentation of Elvis’s performances. [Read the review](https://collider.com/baz-luhrmanns-latest-film-is-a-better-tribute-to-the-king-of-rock-n-roll-than-elvis-was/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 7 September 2025. Festival review. The critic finds the film imaginative, generous and entertaining, though not revelatory for viewers familiar with the original concert films. They praise Luhrmann’s lively mix of performances, rehearsals and archival material, especially Elvis’s compelling singing. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/epic-review-baz-luhrmann-doesnt-need-austin-butler-to-make-another-rockin-elvis-movie/) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). The review finds the film sensational as a concert experience but superficial as a documentary. It praises the restored performance footage, especially Elvis’s commanding stage presence, while faulting the shallow treatment of complex relationships. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/epic-elvis-presley-in-concert-review-bazz-luhrmann-3930184) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/epic-elvis-presley-in-concert.md