Since its early days, the glitz of Sin City has attracted Hollywood’s film crews. New and old films alike have depicted the neon, the gambling, the beautiful scenery and all the rest that makes this city so amazing. From What Happens in Vegas to Ocean’s 11, to The Hangover to even series like Friends, no genre has been able to resist the city’s allure. And in turn, many film-freaks always fancy heading there to check out the landmarks theyve seen in the movies. Here are some iconic movie locations in Las Vegas.
The Hangover
In The Hangover, four guys are in for the stag do of their lives when they head to Sin City. Some locations include Atomic Liquors, the oldest freestanding bar in Las Vegas, just near Freemont Street. The scene where they retrieve their impounded car is captured in a car parking lot opposite the Luxor Hotel & Casino, where they discover a naked and very angry Mr. Chow.
The most iconic location in the movie is Caesar’s Palace. When the ‘Wolf Pack’ check-in, the scene reveals the beautiful decor and furnishings of this famous hotel. It’s in the elaborate lobby where they spontaneously upgrade to a villa suite, much to Stu’s distaste. Though dont be fooled. The villa suite which featured incredible views of the Strip is, in fact, staged at Warner Bros. Studio Facilities in Burbank.
Ocean’s 11
Whereas the 1960 version featured Frank Sinatra and Sammie Davis Jr. ransacking several famous Vegas casinos, the 2001 remake focuses more on the glorious Bellagio Hotel & Casino as the setting for the gang’s acts of high-stakes espionage. Shot almost entirely on-location, an all-star cast featuring George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and more perform the heist of their life in one of the most surveyed buildings in the world. The crew were allowed to shoot anywhere in the building, close down valet parking for several days, and even turn off the famous Bellagio fountains for the sake of filming. This is thanks to the producer being good pals with entrepreneur and hotelier Steve Wynn, who granted the cast and crew access to all of the hotel’s world-class amenities.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Carrying a suitcase full of contraband across the Mojave, Johnny Depp’s hedonistic character sees him and his attorney having a completely debauched time in Las Vegas. But cast the “adult” stuff aside, because some of the locations in this film are once-in-a-lifetime sights. A lot of the film is shot at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It’s an attraction in Vegas that isn’t spoken about as much as it should be. If ever you’re in Vegas and want to experience Vegas’ beautiful landscapes, then this is a brilliant alternative to the Grand Canyon. Seeing Red Rock Canyon for yourself is an incredible sight that’ll bring you at one with America’s gorgeous natural environment. And this movie captures that natural beauty completely.
What Happens in Vegas
Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz get a little too carried away during their visit to Vegas. An error on a computer system means they get put in a Planet Hollywood hotel room together, with club vouchers given as compensation. So they party together until the inevitable happens, their drunken marriage. They try to annul their marriage, which is rejected by a judge. Instead, they must attempt to live together for six months to mend their relationship…. Typical night out in Vegas, hey?
Casino
A gangster classic akin to the Godfather, Casino sees Vegas through the eyes of Sam Ace Rothstein, played by Robert De Niro. Sent to Vegas to make the Tangiers Casino the talk of the town, he works his way up the mobs ranks during their hey-day. However, the Tangiers is actually a fictional casino, based on the Stardust Casino during its prime. Rothstein is also based on Frank Rosenthal, who was the guy who the mob really did send to Stardust to make it the hotel it became. The movie is filmed entirely in the Las Vegas Valley area. Particularly worth noting is the introductory scene where De Niro is driving, which is shot on Las Vegas’ old strip. This street is Freemont Street, which is now a covered and pedestrianised area. Its now one of the most visited tourist attractions in Las Vegas today.
These are just a few blockbusters which have given us a little taste of Sin City. So next time you visit, why not stop by these movie locations in Las Vegas?
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