Across The Universe

I will be the first to admit that I am not the world's biggest Beatles fan. Some musicians feel that unless you embrace the Beatles, you are not a true musician. I don't agree with them, but I will no doubt acknowledge the impact they had on music, the war, and the changes of the 1960s. However, after watching Across the Universe, a musical that takes place in the 1960s using all Beatles music, I must say I have jumped on the Beatles bandwagon.

 

Maybe it is due to the kickass versions of the songs that were in the movie, or perhaps it is due to the context they were sung in, but they were absolutely brilliant. There were some favorites that EVERYONE knows (or atleast should); Let It Be, I Want to Hold Your Hand, Come Together, All You Need Is Love, Hey Jude and a few more. However, the songs that I have never heard (or didn't really know the Beatles did first) were awesome! There was one song and one scene which I felt was too extreme for the context of the movie. It's almost as if the movie went off the deep edge with the idea of drugged up 1960s (cause the film is not about that and really doesn't have a freaky feel to it ie Moulin Rouge), but this one scene I did not understand at all.

 

But the soundtrack is awesome! My favorite song from the movie is one that I have never heard in my life! But I really feel that most of these songs are given new life when sung in the context they are sung in. Obviously, when a song is written (especially later anti-war Beatles music), it is open to interpretation. However, with a reason behind all these songs being sung, it is impossible not to connect to them and enjoy them to the fullest. If you do nothing else, download the soundtrack! You will be pleasantly surprised. And it's funny, both Blackbird and Across the Universe are songs in the moviel; both were also sung on American Idol by Carly and Michael. They should have these actors on American Idol; EVERYONE in the movie has incredible voices!!

 

So, the question is how is the movie itself? Stunning. Beautiful. Amazing. For just over two hours, wall-to-wall music, and a realistic/artistic feel, the movie has such a powerful storyline! From love, death, the anti-war movement (how come we don't have that with Iraq; granted that war lasted 16 years), this movie has a sincere story of the 1960s without the drugs (yes! A hippie movie that isn't focused on drugs). I don't want to go into too much detail incase you have not seen the movie, but it is a love story, a story about the war, and a story about friendships. Could the story have held its own without the music, not so sure. The music is what makes the film incredible...and a strong story with that music makes the movie a must see!