Movie Review: Across the Universe

“Across the Universe” is colorful and filled with great Beatles tunes. Being a major Beatles fan I had to see this movie just for the music alone. The script to me has some clever twists throughout but seems to be lacking. The actors, especially the three leads, are strong singers and do well with their roles. Jim Sturgess in particular stands out not only for his excellent singing voice but strong presence on screen and his acting abilities. It would have helped if they had their roles fleshed out more for them in the script. The cast is enthusiastic, the art direction and costumes beautifully created. I’d have to say for me the best thing about this movie was the direction and the Beatles music. The feel overall of the movie reminded me in many ways of the also colorful “Moulin Rouge” but without the more interesting characters from that movie.

Julie Taymor directed Frida and Titus, both good movies. This movie for me was definitely one I would rent instead of going to the theater to see. Still it is entertaining, beautifully filmed and if you love the Beatles, a colorful musical blast from the past put into present day fantasy.

2007. Directed by Julie Taymor. Starring Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess and  Joe Anderson.

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