Across the Universe

[txteach]

I know I'll take some heat for this but to me this movie sucked. I'm a purist when it comes to the Beatles. The songs were totally redone in many cases. Also the character to fit certain songs (prudence) were overdone. "For the Benefit of Mr. Kite" was the worst! I will never watch this movie again.

[toys2cool]

I agree with you John,they were playing it at the Blockbuster by my house and after watching 2 minutes of it and the previews I would never watch that thing...Plus everyone I know says it sucks too

[nvmbrsdoom5]

It's funny because I'm a bigtime Beatles fan, and I passed up the chance to see this at the theaters because frankly I expected it to stink. I wound up getting the dvd and watching it, and surprisingly I loved it. Yes there were a few "roll my eyes" moments, but overall I really enjoyed the film. The feel of it reminded me alot of the film version of "Hair", which I also enjoyed alot (and did admittedly also have a few overly silly moments as well). I can understand why some purists wouldn't be able to enjoy the movie but for myself, I wound up liking it on it's own merits and don't try to put it up against the original versions of those songs or the "true" meanings of those lyrics, because obviously nothing could compete with the originals.

Plus, I've come across quite a few younger kids who are digging on those songs now because of the movie, so at least that's a positive!

[huedell]

I'm a big BEATLES fan---and my sentiments regarding ATU echo nvmbrs above^^^
on how its cool that ATU is getiing more people into the BEATLES at the very least
(However, I did NOT actually see the movie---just heard alot about it)

Two totally unrelated people I know LOVED the movie... both were girls... and both
woulda made the BEATLE purists sick with how much they were raving about the cool
versions of the songs and how they never knew that the BEATLES songs were
about certain things that, before ATU, they had no idea about....I had to convince them
that STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER was not a "war/protest song"

[tactile2]

The film sucked. They tried so hard to make it "trippy" and dark like "the Wall"....

I will agree, however, it did re-introduce the Beatles to a new young audience - which I suppose is a good thing.

[kingdom warrior]

I'm a Beatle Purist.....I saw the movie on Dvd and i thought it sucked. It reminded me of all those turd commercials that i now have to endure with Beatle music on them.

[txteach]

My wife said I'm too much of a Beatles fan. I just thought the movie was bad. I knew from the beginning that Prudence was going to be a throwaway character to sing one song to. Also, the women singing Beatles songs I didn't like. They had good voices but not for Beatles songs. The whole rooftop thing was a ripoff also.

[ramsey37]

The movie didn't play in my town, so we had to wait for it to hit DVD to see it. I bought a copy for my daughter, and we both loved it. So :P
George

[Goblin19]

I kind of wanted to see it, but haven't yet. It definitely divided people, as to whether they loved it or despised it. There isn't a lot of middle ground.

[Vortigern99]

Frankly on seeing the trailer I dismissed this as even having the potential to be good. But some of the comments in this thread actually make me want to see it. I don't mind cover versions; in fact, being an amateur musician I play cover versions myself! It can be interesting to hear what a recording by someone other than the original artist will bring to a song.

I am a little annoyed to hear the film changes the meanings of the songs -- John wrote 'Dear Prudence', for example, for Prudence Farrow while she, her sister Mia and the Beatles were hangin' with the Maharishi in India. Though I will point out that all the Beatles' own movies -- from HDN to Yellow Submarine -- also depict Beatles songs in contexts other than what must have been their original intent.

[Zemo]

Rented this the other night and thought it was terriffic. Really what was not to like. Bono kicking it doing I am the walrus. Joe cocker as the bum at the beging of come together. Come on that great!

[JPkempo]

I liked it - Heck of alot better than that Bee Gees crap (Aerosmith was ok)

[Hector]

Bee Gees were great, you are loco.