Extraordinary Creativity

Rating: 10/10 (22 September 2007)

It's one thing to make a movie based around Beatles songs, how could you go wrong, but Across the Universe is so full of delightful surprises, so flawlessly executed, so heartfelt, it feels like a very welcome gift to our troubled world. I am no fan of on-screen dancing, but the choreography for the 'dance' numbers was so creative that I loved every minute of it. The actors singing voices all had a great sound and gave a new dimension to these "old favorites". Finally, the weaving of the songs into the storyline while sometimes predictable (and there's nothing wrong with that), at other times completely caught me off guard. I used to believe that there was no point in other musicians covering Beatles songs, because they couldn't be improved on -- after this move (and the I Am Sam soundtrack) I no longer feel that way.