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| Movie Review: Across the Universe Alternate Title: Mythical History Tour
Story: Oh how I wanted to like
this film. I arrived with a very good, I love the Beatles,
attitude but sadly, that faded to disappointment quickly- coo coo ka
choo. The story, what there is of it, revolves around the 60"s,
a boy meets girl plot, another boy goes to war and of course, sex drugs
and rock 'n roll. It is a sanitized, pedestrian view of history thread
together by Beatles music. Director Julie Taymor has a
unique vision (Titus, The Lion King, Frida) that is beginning
to wear thin. If you have seen her work before there is not much new
to ooh and ah over. Yes, there are some visually exciting moments but
nothing that blasts you out of your seat. The puppets, animation and
psychedelic imagery were all sophomoric. The screenplay by Dick
Clement & Ian La Frenais is meager - if
nonexistent. The overly long screenplay was built around the Beatles
music and was forced. It was as if a scene was created so that the very
expected song could be sung. Characters named Jude, Lucy and Prudence
cry out for a Beatles' tune. So is there anything I liked about the film?
Of course the music saves the film and as a loyal Beatles fan - the
beat goes on. May I recommend if you see this film you go after a hard
day's night. Check out my tribute to the Walrus here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed63Gt3mNag Acting: The actors sing their own songs, which is
always a plus. Evan Rachel Wood as Lucy has a surprisingly
sweet voice, but I could not connect with her character at all. She
did not have the soul of a 60's rebel. Jim Sturgess
as Jude was more impressive. Joe Anderson as the brother
who goes to war will probably have a career in film as a serial killer.
Dana Fuchs as the Janis Joplin character was fine.
Martin Luther McCoy as the Jimi Hendrix
type was also good. T.V. Carpio as Prudence the lesbian
was wacky. Cameo appearances by Joe Cocker, Bono and
Salma Hayak were fun although Bono looked very uncomfortable. Predilection: I like the Beatles Critters: I am the walrus?
Food: Hot dogs, a Thanksgiving meal and lots of strawberries
Sex Spectrum: There was some modest nudity, a nipple
and implied sex but none seem on the screen.
Blatant Product Placement: Katz's Delicatessen Soundtrack: It is hard to wreck a Beatles tune.
Opening Titles: I cannot remember the opening but
the closing titles were a trip.
Visual Art: Taymor's signature was all over this
film.
Theater Audience: An interesting mix of people who
lived those years and people who were tripping back to those years.
Weather: The weather was good in the 60's in Taymor's
vision.
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: I squirmed at thinking this is how
the 60'd might be remembered.
Drift Factor: The first hour took forever to get going
nd I looked a t my watch many times. If this film had been trimmed by
30 minutes it would have been more tolerable. Predictability Level: Over the top
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Nit Picking: Editor needed.
Big Screen or Rental: If you are gong to see it the
big screen would definitely be the way to go.
Length: Two hours and 15 minutes (seemed much longer).
LOBO HOWLS: A generous 5
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