[Movie] Across The Universe

Official Site

I just went to see this film this evening here with a few friends. It hasn't officially opened here in Visalia, but thanks to the miracle of shady theater workers, a dime bag and emergency exits a few of us were able to enjoy an evening of a visually beautiful musical made with nothing but awesome Beatles tunes. Sadly, it leaves a lot to be desired in the story department... The flimsy plot is really just a construct in which to Beatles songs get played in context with the story. But let's face it: I didn't pay a dime bag to get an award-winning plot; I payed it so I could see a Beatles musical that wasn't "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and it's exactly what I got.

And you know what?

I loved EVERY. SINGLE. SECOND of it. All the musical numbers are downright awesome remakes and it's visually one of the most wonderful films that's ever seen the screen. The two leads played by Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood (<3) really have a pretty decent chemistry on screen; we're not talking Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge here, but it's believable enough considering how weak the rest of the story is. There's also a pretty good cast of cameos here: Eddie Izzard as Mr. Kite, Salma Hayek as Bang Bang Shoot Shoot Nurses and Joe Cocker. However, the film's centerpiece are its visuals. Director Julie Taymor (who previously directed Frida and, one of my personal favorite films, Titus) took a lot of flamboyant and colorful liberties with the film's cinematography but one thing is certain: It's an awesome arrest of the senses.

However, If you're looking for a strong plot and standout performances, I'm sorry to say that I recommend you look elsewhere. But if you want to sit through 2 and a half hours of arresting visuals and Beatles tunes, you better find the nearest theater that's playing this already. You won't be disappointed.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by knkwzrd

If I wanted a trippy Beatles musical, I'd just watch Yellow Submarine.

Yeah... I would too. But interpretations never really hurt anyone emotionally and I really don't think I fall in that crowd.

Quote:

If I want to look at pretty things for two hours I'll go to an art gallery or a garden.

Yeah... I would too.

It's all subjective, man. Some of us like the Beatles in any form and some of us don't. Doesn't mean we like it at ALL times (like in SAUS) but nobody ever died from "Hey Jude" in small doses.

There's nowhere I can't reach.