Spoilers!!! Across The Universe Discussion

[Beta Man]

O.K. Watched this last night.... SPOILERS CERTAINLY INCLUDED IN THE THREAD. So go back if you don't want plot details!!

I knew it had a Beatles' soundtrack, and was a "musical" so I was pretty happy about that, but I didn't realize it was actors/actresses singing the songs, I thought it would be more like Pink Floyds' "The Wall" with the story, and accompanying music.....

That being said, the movie was still interesting in the fact that they had a lot of counter-culter references (The "Furthur" bus saying "Beyond" on the front for instance)

It also depicted a theme used many times before, with a soldier coming back hooked on H, like "Alice's Restaraunt" did (was that guy in the army? can't remember) either way, it did it in a musical, and very different way..... I know a guy who came back from Vietnam strung out on Heroine, and his stories are comical, but it's a scary thought that people went through that.

I also think that, besides the main character, all of the Beatle's were represented, except Ringo, at least I didn't see a guy who looked like Ringo, correct me if I am wrong.

I thought it was over the top that it was like.... "Hey this is JUDE" and "That's Prudence" (She came in through the bathroom window.... that was pretty funny) etc. etc... but to get the songs in, it makes sense.... I can't believe I waited until the credits for Lucy's song!

And speaking of songs.... I couldn't believe there wasn't a "Sexy Sadie"

I guess if you're familiar with 60's culture/current events, and are a fan of the Beatles, a lot of the movie "Clicks" but despite all of that, I am glad I netflixed it, as I don't see myself buying it.... if it would have been the actual Beatles soundtrack, and the actors just stood there and performed actions rather than sang the songs themselves, I'd probably buy it.

AQ/PQ were great also. I would not recommend a Blind Buy though.

[Rabidhunter]

This was the first Blu-Ray movie that I bought. I absolutly loved the movie. The music is amazing. They did a good job of it all around. My two favorite scenes were "I am the Walrus," and "Revolution." Bono character was absolutly amazing, I sometimes pop in the movie just for that part. Revolution was great, Jude was being that voice of reason. All of this fanaticism about the war isn't helping anything, everything's just going to be all right.

[SilverFireshot]

My wife and I saw it 3 times in the theaters (and we rarely see a movie more than once in the theater). We also got the DVD. This may be the only movie that I rebuy on Blu-ray. It's a fantastic movie and I always find something new every time I watch it.

[SeahawxBlu]

My wife and I both loved this movie. After seeing the trailer for it, my wife was really tentative about watching it, but after 10 minutes she was already hooked, and she's not even the biggest Beatles fan. Funny thing, she gets a little miffed when I buy the occasional Blu Ray, but this one she told me to buy.

I am recommending this to anyone and everyone these days.

[Secretagentnumber6]

I was not a big fan. I like the Beatles, but not to an extent where this movie would ever be good just because of it. It was not even the best musical of the year as Sweeny Todd is much much better, but hey that is just my opinion. I did not like Across the Universe. I thought it was a chore to watch the whole thing. Not a big musical fan either.

[Grant Matrix]

This is one of the best movies I have seen a very long time. I rented it first and after seeing once, I had to buy it and have since watched it about 4 times now and it still evokes a lot of emotional response from me. I have never been a huge Beatles fan and a couple of the songs I have never heard before. I really love the way the songs were reimaged and presented by the cast. I choose to look at ATU as a romance movie first and foremost and a musical second. The actors really bring out their emtions in the music. The scene where Lucy sings "If I fell" is one of the best and most powerful moments of the movie.

[SeahawxBlu]

I thought the scene with Joe Cocker (Come Together) was just awesome. Other favorites were Mr. Kite (apparently totally improvised by Eddie Izzard) and I Am The Walrus. Bono was excellent!

[PhiLeingFunkie]

Very well executed movie and I truly wanted to like this film but I just didn't. It would have benefited from a big trim as it felt overly long. A lot of songs were good. Some were not so good. I wanna hold your hand was tortured in the film and made me want to cry (not because I was supposed to either.)

Watched it on blu ray and it looked fabulous! Unfortunately I won't ever watch it again. I am not a big musical fan and if I ever needed my beatles fix ill just stick to my Zune.

[MistyMorn]

The hubby & I watched this one on blu and it was one of our first blu purchases. Neither of us were big Beatles fans, but we loved how the music flowed with the movie. The acting was fantastic. The Uncle Sam (I Want You) was one of our favorite scenes. I can't tell you how many times we've re-watched the Let It Be scene. We found the movie fun, the music good and totally enjoyed the extras on the BD. Highly recommended....

[Psychonaut]

I grew up with my mom listening to The Beatles almost non-stop so I was a bit burnt out on them. I saw the Cirque du Soleil version of 'Love' in Vegas and loved it. I tripped over this somehow and the wife and I really liked it. In fact, I hear about it once a week because I haven't bought it yet. I will. The music is good and I can appreciate the 'remixed' versions of the songs (as with Love) and there are some fantastic visuals.

[broganreynik]

I LOVE this movie. The crazy thing is, of my top five favorite Beatles songs, they only used one in this movie, Helter Skelter. Then again, everything they did use was great, I mean it is The Beatles. I've also been an Evan Rachel Wood fan since she was on Once and Again (ironically I only watched that show because of my mom and sister, and now they don't even remember it), so I was stoked to hear she would be in it. I thought Jim Sturgess did a great job in it as well. Basically it's the best musical I've ever seen, and probably will see. I bought it on Blu as a blind-buy and it's the first time I haven't been disappointed. My favorite performance was probably either Revolution or Something.

FWIW my top five Beatles' songs are:
You've Got to Hide Your Love Away
Help!
Helter Skelter
The Long and Winding Road
Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da

[Scripture]

I agree with the majority of the people in this thread. Across the Universe is a strong emotional ride, and the music only deeply enhances that strong sense of nostalgia. I really thought that it was cleverly done, as in depicting certain rock icons from the 60's and other notable potpourri from that era. I was a bit skeptical about that element of the film going in, but for me, it ultimately really worked in the end. The 60's were turbulent and revolutionary times in many ways, and I thought that the film did a pretty good job of touching on issues with the time allotted. I mean lets face it, if someone was to make a film that encapsulated the 60's, you would find that quite daunting - not to mention that the running time would have to be well over 12 hours long. There's just too many threads to touch on, because that was a monumental time period.

By the way Brogan, 'The Long and Winding Road' is one of my favorite songs of all time.Although, I have to say that 'Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da' is a song that I loathe passionately.

My top 5 Beatles songs would look something like this:

- The Long and Winding Road
- Eleanor Rigby
- Yesterday
- With A Little Help From My Friends
- Come Together

[Beta Man]

since we're throwing out favorite Beatles songs..... I don't want to commit five as the "top" but Maxwell's Silver Hammer, Eleanor Rigby, and While My Guitar Gently Weeps are right up there.......