Across the Universe [2007]

Amazon.co.uk Review

Something a little different to the norm, Across The Universe is, in its simplest form, a collection of Beatles songs that have been strung together into a musical. But what a musical, and ultimately, what a fascinating film too.

Across The Universe follows Jude, played by Jim Sturgess, who travels from Britain to America in the 1960s, and eventually meets Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood). The film then picks up the story of their romance, with the likes of Vietnam war protests sitting in the background, along with a strong-yet-unknown supporting cast who more than hold their own.

Across The Universe progresses its narrative through a mix of Beatles numbers, and it's a method that sometimes works exceptionally well, and at other times feels a little bit shoehorned. Nonetheless, more of it succeeds than fails, and there's no denying the quality of the musical work, even though it's not the Fab Four whose vocal talents are used.

Sometimes a bit uneven, Across The Universe is nonetheless a brave and bold screen musical, with a striking visual style. Director Julie Taymor--who previously directed the musical of The Lion King on Broadway--has fashioned a gleefully unusual movie, that's a bit risky, sometimes a bit stretched, but very, very watchable. One of the most interesting little gems of 2007. --Jon Foster

Customer Reviews:

Across the Universe - well worth the wait.......2008-02-19

My 15 year old daughter is Beatles mad, and when we saw this film reviewed back in September she was desperate to see it, but it never viewed in any local cinemas - we live near Brighton, hardly the back of beyond, but the nearest showing was London, Leicester Square. Why this did not get a more general big screen release is a mystery, as it is a fantastic film, and well worth the wait for the DVD. We both found it a magical mystery tour that was definitely not too long.

Fantastic film, watch it!.......2008-02-05

As some reviewers have pointed out there were a couple of bits (especially at the beginning) which served only to make sure certain songs were included. However, why not? The version of 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand' is beautiful and, I risk blasphemy here, but actually superior to the Beatles version.

The entire film is a joy to watch. The best song is easily Joe Cocker singing 'Come Together', a personal favourite of mine and injected with great passion. All the songs are wonderfully executed and really show the appreciation for the Beatles all the performers, writers and director must have.

However, not everyone will appreciate this and it is a love it or hate it movie. If you have a love of the Beatles you should appreciate this.

Its fun, exhilarating and the singing is just fantastic.

It is a film which has to be watched before a proper opinion can be made of it. And if you like the film, the album is a must!

Highly recommended to all.

A little work of art.......2008-01-21

This is a fantastic looking film. The visuals are superb.

You won't find a better cast than this. I thought Martin Luther McCoy, who played JoJo, (all the characters are named after a Beatles lyric) was fantastic. Stole the film for me.

My cousin is an extra in this film. He is the drummer in the band at the beginning in the Cavern scene. Blink and you'd miss him.

It tips its hat a little towards Pink Floyds The Wall although its not as surreal as that and the storyline is linear as opposed to The Wall which flits back and forth.

I think you will either love it or hate it. Did think like another reviewer that the lesbian character wasn't needed as I was totally confused by it. Great voice she had though.

Across the Universe - brilliant.......2007-11-29

I would never have gone to see the film but my sister made me. It was one of the best films I've seen and I'd watch it over and over. My 16 year old daughter agrees!

AN HONEST BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY.......2007-11-29

Across The Universe immediately appealed to me. First of all it looked totally out there...strange and bazaar, unique and unlike anything else. And it was ultimately a musical with the music of one of the greatest groups in history, The Beatles. I am, and always have been an enormous Beatles fan so I thought I had to see this. Now Across The Universe definitely fits the bill for being unique and different and fulfilled everything you might expect from it. It really had some stunning visuals and beautiful choreography and a really decent story to it as well. But the story is perhaps where it stumbles slightly. The film starts out absolutely fantastic, just literally sucks you in with the story of this young man going to America to fulfill his dreams, falls in love, finds a best friend and is living life to the fullest. They use all the best and most well known Beatles' songs and make you sway to the music and really get involved and then after about 45 minutes into the film everything....begins....to....slow....down. The film clocks in at an astounding and very long in the tooth 2 hours and 15 minutes and it's simply not necessary which is unfortunate. Musicals do tend to be longer than most but Across The Universe could have easily cut itself down to an hour and a half give or take. Still the characters redeem the slow pace in the middle and the end makes up for it and during that time you will find yourself mesmerized with the unique style of the film.

The very talented Jim Sturgess headlines the cast as free spirited Jude. Sturgess definitely gives us a character that you can really fall into and get involved and feel his emotions. Sturgess makes the film very worthwhile in all it's awkward stages and he is a star!! Evan Rachel Wood is the lovely and outspoken Lucy. She does a really terrific job and has a very pretty voice and a very girl next door look. She also plays the sixties protester very well and her characters goes through a lot of changes. Most importantly her and Sturgess make a dynamic couple and make for a really great love story. Also keep your eye on Joe Anderson who plays free spirited, smart talking Max. He doesn't have as big a role as some of the others but he still is a really great performer and really captures your attention on screen with his unique look. He also got sing one of my favorite songs in the world..."Hey Jude." Supporting cast including Dana Fuchs, Martin Luther, and T.V. Carpio do a really decent job although I would like to say that I believe Carpio's role as Prudence, the closet lesbian that breaks out into spontaneous song was completely forced into the story and had no real purpose at all other than to just be there.

There lies part of the problem with Across The Universe. Unlike a truly great musical parts of the film felt really forced, like they had to fight to get certain Beatles songs into the story...such as "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," which was a beautifully done song but pointless to the story. If they realized this and removed some of that overkill (although I love some of the songs they used) they could have made a shorter and more effective and brilliant film. Director Julie Taymor is certainly no new face to directing musicals having already won Tony Awards. Perhaps this musical didn't translate to screen as well as it may have on stage but she made a beautiful love story and the cast really do a terrific job. It's just a little long and definitely way out there which some might really enjoy. Certainly there is nothing wrong with being unique. It was also really cool to see cameos by infamous rockers Bono, and Joe Cocker (I knew that was Cocker as soon as he started to sing.) Across The Universe is definitely something to see to experience something unique and moving and if you love Beatles music then you'll be completely enamored. See it for yourself!! P.S. To the many reviewers and posters who feel it necessary that you have to be on drugs in order to enjoy this, and insist on blathering on about their obvious drug addictions...you're wasting your lives and hurting those around you. Get help.

Average customer rating:

Across the Universe [Blu-ray] [2007]

Across the Universe [Blu-ray] [2007]
Starring: Evan Rachel Wood , Joe Anderson , Jim Sturgess , Salma Hayek , and Eddie Izzard
Director: Julie Taymor
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

Blu-ray | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000YZ858A
Release Date: 2008-02-11

Amazon.co.uk

Set in America during the Vietnam War, Across the Universe is a powerful love story set against a backdrop of political and social unrest. It's a story of soul-searching, self-doubt, and individual powerlessness cleverly conveyed through a multitude of Beatles songs. Like young adults all across America during the 1960's, Jude (Jim Sturgess), Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), Max (Joe Anderson), Sadie (Dana Fuchs), Prudence (T.V. Carpio), and JoJo (Martin Luther) are in turmoil over the war; questioning their individual roles in the war effort and struggling to find a way to hold true to their beliefs while making a difference in the world. While love proves a powerful uniting force, its limitations become clear as relationships are strained and broken over individual perceptions of responsibility to cause and country. A fairly bizarre juxtaposition of extremely stylized, almost hallucinogenic scenes of swirling colours and reflections, highly choreographed dance segments, seemingly commonplace character interaction, and emotionally packed close-up footage of characters lost in contemplative song, this film imparts a good sense of the confusion and passion of the time and is at once powerful, invigorating, and disturbing. The film runs a bit long at 2 hours 11 minutes and several segments drag noticeably, thanks to some incredibly slow song tempos. Warning: this production may change how you think about a favourite Beatles song forever. --Tami Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Across the Universe [Blu-ray] [2007].......2008-02-23

This is a great musical film. If you love the music of The Beatles then you will love this film. The dance routines are superb, the imagery is wonderful and the re-working of classic songs is superb. Technically the Blue-ray version shows off 1080HD and HD Sound to make the best of any system. Enjoy this film.

Across the Universe (Ws Dub Sub Ac3 Dol) [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

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Across the Universe (Ws Dub Sub Ac3 Dol) [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Musicals | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Musicals | Classics | Categories | DVD | Video

Region 1 | Special Features | DVD | Video

DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000ZLFALI
Release Date: 2008-02-05

Across the Universe (Ws Dub Sub Ac3 Dol) [Blu-ray] [2007] [US Import]

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Across the Universe (Ws Dub Sub Ac3 Dol) [Blu-ray] [2007] [US Import]
Starring: Evan Rachel Wood , Jim Sturgess , Joe Anderson (VI) , Dana Fuchs , and Martin Luther (II)
Director: Julie Taymor
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

Musicals | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Blu-ray | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000ZLFALS
Release Date: 2008-02-05

Across the Universe [UMD Mini for PSP] [2007]

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Across the Universe [UMD Mini for PSP] [2007]
Starring: Evan Rachel Wood , Jim Sturgess , Joe Anderson (VI) , Dana Fuchs , and Martin Luther (II)
Director: Julie Taymor
Manufacturer: Columbia/Tri-Star
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: UMD Mini for PSP

Musicals | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

UMD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000ZBEOF6
Release Date: 2008-02-05

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