DVD: "Across the Universe"

Seen on: February 5, 2008

Edition: Standard Edition

The players: Director: Julie Taymor, Writer: Dick Clement, Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, Joe Anderson

The plot: An English dock worker (Jim Sturgess) makes the passage across the pond to America in the turbulent 1960s. There, he falls in love with Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood) and partakes in many of the historical events of the counterculture and the “Revolution.”

Our quick thoughts: “Across the Universe,” aptly named after the famous Beatles song, is a rather stretched portrayal of the times that inspired the music of one of the greatest rock bands in history. While the film stylishly portrays this music and time via interesting mixes of animation with great choreography (including an interesting “I Am the Walrus” performance by Bono); the meaning of the film is somewhat jumbled amongst a plot that is attempting to address nearly every issue of the counter-culture and the era in which they arose.

The acting is not the greatest, but it does get the job done, and the voices of the leads are quite good; even if it’s not John, Paul, George, or Ringo belting the lyrics.

Freaky quote: "Music’s the only thing that makes sense anymore, man. Play it loud enough, it keeps the demons at bay.” – Martin Luther

The final word: "Across the Universe" is a somewhat over-zealous, yet uniquely bold take on the Beatles’ music and the time of the band's creation.