SpunkySelfTwitter
It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.
pointyfilippa
The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.
Myron Clemons
A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.
MichaelMRamey
By looking at the audience's reaction to this film, it seems you either like it or you don't; there is no middle ground. I really enjoyed it. I've never seen a film that has taken previously recorded music and weave it so well into a coherent story. Plus being a Beatles fan, I was ecstatic to discover it years after its release. Sure the story is color by the numbers, but it will have you feeling good by the end credits.
Paul Kydd
Available on Blu-ray Disc (Region B)USA/UK 2007 English (Colour); Musical/Drama/Romance/Fantasy/LGBTQ (Columbia/Revolution/Team Todd); 133 minutes (12 certificate)Crew includes: Julie Taymor (Director); Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais (Screenwriters); Suzanne Todd, Jennifer Todd, Matthew Gross (Producers); Derek Dauchy, Rudd Simmons, Charles Newirth (Executive Producers); Bruno Delbonnel (Cinematographer); Mark Friedberg (Production Designer); Françoise Bonnot (Editor); Elliot Goldenthal (Composer)Cast includes: Evan Rachel Wood (Lucy Carrigan), Jim Sturgess (Jude Feeny), Joe Anderson (Max Carrigan), Dana Fuchs (Sadie), Martin Luther McCoy (Jo-Jo), T.V. Carpio (Prudence); Joe Cocker (Bum, Pimp & Mad Hippie), Bono (Dr Robert), Eddie Izzard (Mr Kite), Salma Hayek (Singing Nurse)Academy Award nomination: Costume Design (Albert Wolsky); Golden Globe nomination: Picture - Musical/Comedy"All you need is love."After jumping ship in the US, a Liverpool dockworker (Sturgess) befriends a college drop-out (Anderson), whose idealistic sister (Wood) he falls for, and is caught up in the anti-Vietnam War fervour, whilst struggling as an artist.A kaleidoscopic, '60s-set jukebox musical written for the big screen (by the English creators of THE LIKELY LADS and PORRIDGE), inspired by over 30 Beatles compositions, the lyrics of which drive the plot forward more than the relatively sparse (spoken) dialogue.Wonderfully dreamlike at times, colourful and dynamic, with well sung, nicely judged performances from the young, fresh leads, and fun musical cameos from Cocker, an American-accented Bono, Izzard, and (multiple) singing nurse Hayek.Blu-ray Extras: Commentary, Featurettes, Deleted/Extended Scenes, Stills Gallery, Behind-the-Scenes Footage. ***½ (7/10)
Alex Aragona
When this movie starts out, it presents a few promises.There is the promise of an interesting main plot. The promise of a few very interesting subplots. And of course, the overall promise that what you'll essentially see is a solid film with music mixed in at key points in the film for visual and plot effect.Those promises are well-kept until about a quarter of the way into the film. We get to know the main character and he develops. We follow a few supporting characters, and get to know them. And of course, the great music of the Beatles is used at very precise and fun times to carry the movie forward brilliantly.Then the whole thing collapses, as a movie, in my opinion. After a quarter of the movie passes, you are then presented with song after song after song after song after song after song, with barely any story or dialogue in between. That wouldn't be too bad of course if the songs truly pushed the plot forward along with what was on screen, but it doesn't. The visuals become more for entertainment and to serve artistic purposes than to carry forward anything that was previously established. At some point you realize that the plot and the overall story of this film takes a *complete* backseat to the Director's desire to make a series of visually stunning music videos for the Beatles songs. And the whole thing eventually feels tedious.But WHY does it feel tedious? The visuals and what's on screen are well executed. The music, of course, is great, and the 1960s vibe is fun.Well, it's tedious because you're essentially lied to. If the film started out completely honestly and established outright that this would be a front-to-back celebration of some great music with story as secondary, that would be fine. But that wasn't done. What happened is that you were drawn into a story to the point where you do indeed give the Director your time and feel commitment to the story being told. Your bring your half to the table because of the promises mentioned above, and quite frankly the film doesn't hold up its end of the bargain.Overall, this would have been much more enjoyable if the film was simply HONEST with it's own identity from the first scene. If it was, it would have been a hit out of the park.
livvl
My music teacher in middle school showed my class this, and i loved it so much. Since then i went home and listen to all the ATU songs, and later i started listening to The Beatles. (Who are now my favorite band) This is my favorite musical, and also one of my favorite movies. The music in this movie is absolutely fantastic, i mean obviously is great music because the songs are The Beatles songs. But Also the "Across The Universe" versions of the songs are actually really great. I love how they put The Beatles songs to life in the movie, it's a very beautiful movie.Even though there are music constantly, i feel like it doesn't get as annoying as other musicals. The "music videos" are very well portrayed, and really bring some of the Beatles spirit.
