Across the Universe (Two-Disc Special Edition)

I love the Beatles and I like how they put their songs together into a story. They put some different spins on the ideas behind the songs, but it comes out good.

This movie is amazing... Only thing I didnt like was Bono on it, but everything else was good. My favorite songs are Let it be, Hey Jude, Dear prudence and the best cover: I want to hold your hand. The secnd DVD lets you see how they made the movie, a lot of good content. I still watch it over and over, not the whole thing but specific songs. I love it.

Across the clichés of the 60s Beatles songs are played and it's all pretty cheesy. But those clichés of the 1960s....

Will it ever end, this never-ending nostalgia trip for the 60s, no matter how old and unoriginal? Only when a lot of people have died.

Sir Paul keeps cashing in and hey what's wrong with that(?), but ultimately you might wonder what will be left of his band's mythic status after all the circuses and movies and everything else. But they're making more than ever on Elvis so if it is good enough for the King, it is good enough for the Fab Four, I guess. What a drag it is getting old a guy said, but less so while getting super-rich. And when your 64 even if they don't need you it is nice to still be wanted, even if for only your past.

I like the Beatles' music. Or some of it. I don't care for how some songs are done here. I can appreciate fans digging this flick though, so don't pay no mind to my jadded, jilted Gen-X self. I do wonder if John would be down with all these movies and circuses and musicals? You may call me a dreamer, but I doubt it. He always was my favorite. But who knows? He never lived through the clichés of the 1980s.

I watched this movie only a few days back and I found it a very "OK" movie. Nothing too great. I don't see what the hype had been about it. Firstly, the movie was abominably stretched! It didnt have to be this long. It seemed to go on forever even though its just 133 minutes. The acting was OK. I think the actor did a decent job trying to be Paul McCartney and pulled off that Liverpool accent pretty good.

But what most disappointed me about the movie was that the songs were not sung by the Beatles! They were the Beatles songs but sung by somebody else. And excuse me if I am wrong, but they sounded horrendous! If anybody has listened to the Beatles singing 'Revolution' and compared it to how it has been sung in the movie, I think its a disgrace! So I found the music less of a pleasure than most.

The other thing about the movie is that it tried to link the Beatles songs with the social events around that time. But the Beatles mainly sang for the sake of singing! As far as I know, they NEVER had political or social aims for their songs. So this is a wrong portrayal of their intentions and attitude. And I did not appreciate that. Besides, the Beatles were all from England. I dont see why their songs were linked to events that happened in America! England never went to war against Vietnam, there was no revolution there. So the very base of the movie seems shaky to me.

Also, there are these very subtle references to the Beatles in the movie which one wouldnt know until they are well acquainted with the history of the Beatles. For example, the scene where the actor cuts a green apple, that came from the fact that the Beatles worked for a record company called Green Apple. Similarly, when Prudence came in through the bathroom window, thats a reference to the song, "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window". The basic storyline of a Liverpool boy falling in love with an American girl also revolves around Paul, who did indeed marry an American woman, Linda. These references could be easily missed and then the "Beatles Movie" effect is gone. But without them even, it can make a pretty decent movie.

I would rate it a 2.5 out of 5 actually, but I dont have the option of doing that here. It might be worth giving it a try if you are into love stories and love the Beatles songs. But if you are expecting a wave of magic, I am afraid you will be disappointed. At any rate, the actors look pretty and the eye candy might attract some young audience. Apart from that, I really would not recommend it much.

The Beatles were my thing when I was a teenager. But it wasn't about screaming and fainting and writing "I love Paul" on my denim notebook. I was in love with the music. The melodies went deep into my soul which wasn't made of rubber. The lyrics were SOOOO COOOL. I couldn't get enough! My parents thought they were straight from hell and anyone listening to them was joining "those guys with the hair" in the handbasket. So I confess I've kept most of my passion for the Fab 4 tucked away in that secret place...until now.

If any of this makes sense to you, then you are going to LOVE "Across the Universe." Julie Taymor directs this uniquely crafted story album of the favorite and familiar filtered through her vivid, and somewhat eccentric imagination. The story line is woven through the fun and pain of the fabulous '60's. Her cast is perfect. Everyone fits in looks and voice. Jude won't let you down and Lucy is in the sky with diamonds. Jo Jo is the embodiment of Hendrix and Janice Joplin has been reincarnated in a girl named Sadie. Prudence plays for the other team. If you're a Boomer, you will remember the angst of the Viet Nam war (which plays heavily in the tale) and feel "at home." If you're not, "Universe" has enough edge and effects to keep you satisfied. It's beautiful to look at and wonderful to watch. And Bono IS the Walrus: coo coo cachoo!

I bought the sound track also...my collection of Beatles music wouldn't be complete without this rendition.

So, get the movie, get your honey, make some popcorn, get some cherry coke, climb in the backseat of your mini-van and turn on the DVD. You'll feel like you're 16 again..."close your eyes and I'll kiss you"...