Las Vegas In The Movies
The connection between cinema and Las Vegas is undeniable, especially when the first one references the world of gambling, luxury, and fun in the city of neon lights. Read on to learn more about the role played by Las Vegas in the movies.
Why Film In Las Vegas?
The world of cinema is always looking for themes that are attractive to its audience. Las Vegas as a theme is only natural since the city has huge popularity and a stereotype linked to gambling, alcohol, glamour, and fun. In addition, the luxury resorts, huge fountains with performances, crowded streets, and themed locations end up making the background of the films more interesting. The City of Light has the biggest spotlight in the world at Luxor Hotel and Casino. This iconic beam is visible from space according to NASA. There’s no denying how attractive this can be for movie production companies looking for incredible sites for their films. We can’t forget that the surroundings of the city are also beautiful as we have a natural setting of canyons, deserts, etc.
In 1931, the city founded in 1905 began its trajectory as an entertainment hub. This is a city that allows casinos and performs quick marriages. It is common to see these themes appearing in movies, especially those who want to talk about parties, celebrations, nightlife, etc.
What Does Las Vegas in the Movies Look Like
In a city where the main attraction is within the hotels themselves, each film is an opportunity to resort to the most varied projects. Each Resort presents in its portfolio the characteristic of having been the backdrop of several films. For example, the movie Viva Las Vegas shows the city as a family destination, highlighting its attractions and resorts. The Hangover, on the other hand, portrays the most festive part of parties. It glamorizes and highlights the consumption of alcoholic drinks. Both feature famous hotels and resorts appear. In the film that has Elvis Presley as the protagonist, the Flamingo, the Tropicana, and the Sahara hotels are some of the destinations of Elvis’ adventures. In The Hangover, the iconic hotel where everything happens is Caesars Palace.
The way movies portray Sin City also changes. Movies don’t always treat Vegas with glamour. In the movie Leaving Las Vegas, starring Nicholas Cage, Vegas appears as a path to decay and addiction to alcohol. It is also possible to see a Las Vegas more focused on an elderly audience in Last Vegas. Or even more focused on dubious characters or thieves as in Ocean’s Eleven. Even destruction and the end of the world appear in Godzilla and 2012.
Alternative Entertainment
Las Vegas initially established itself as a gambling and betting city. In the middle of a desert, with no other industry than tourism and entertainment. Just so we have an idea, the city has an inventory of 150,000 hotel rooms. This is a huge amount when compared to other touristic cities around the world.
However, Nevada no longer has a monopoly on gaming licenses and the stakes are multiplying on online platforms. Sin City, then, has diversified, betting more and more on different types of entertainment. The wellness segment with sophisticated spas and shopping centers for all budgets and styles has been climbing its way up. Currently, in relation to the city’s revenue, gaming represents 34%, against 66% derived from accommodation, food and drinks, room rentals, and other sources of income. The average annual occupancy of the destination before Covid-19 reached 65%, and the number of annual visitors in 2019 was 49.5 million people. This shows how Vegas is reinventing itself and keeping its status.
Movies In Las Vegas
Many movies were shot in Las Vegas. They portray its universe of parties, glamor, luxury, etc. It is normal for businesses that appear in movies to become famous for some remarkable scenario. As a result, many Vegas attractions have become even better known as tourist attractions because of the movies.
What happens in Vegas: a classic rom-com filmed in Planet Hollywood starring Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Dias.
Ocean’s Eleven: The 2011’s version starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and a great cast, was filmed almost entirely at the Bellagio. The final scene takes place in front of the well-known Bellagio fountains.
Miss Congeniality 2: Sandra Bullock returns after Miss Congeniality to play once more the miss and detective role in Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous. The movie was filmed at Treasure Island – Casino and Hotel. She even passes through The Sirens Of TI, a famous attraction that happens in front of the hotel.
Rat Race: With a gigantic cast including Whoopi Goldberg and Rowan Atkinson, this comedy movie was filmed at The Venetian Resort.
21: This movie about gambling was filmed in several hotels in Vegas, including the Hard Rock Casino and the Red Rock Casino. With Kevin Spacey acting and producing this movie, it got famous but unfortunately, it wasn’t well received by the critics.
Indecent Proposal: The movie that got Demi Moore’s iconic black dress in all stores. Starring not only her but also Robert Redford, the movie was shot at the Hilton Hotel.
The Luxury Of Movies In Real Life
In addition to the movies and their locations, some Vegas locations have become themed to make a self-reference and please tourists even more. A famous example is Elvis impersonators who can be hired to officiate famous Las Vegas weddings. Also, at Madame Tussauds, there is a terrace bar with The Hangover theme, themed shots, and even the reconstruction of the suite with the famous tiger.
You can also recreate some famous scenes of Las Vegas in the movies on your own. You shall visit the locations used as scenarios, rent rooms in the same hotels, go to famous restaurants, etc. Furthermore, you may get around the city with chauffeured transportation. To impersonate all the movie’s luxury and glamour, get a quote with us and ride through the city in style. We guarantee you will feel like a real movie star.