Disappointed

Rating: 5/10 (24 September 2007)

I was very optimistic about this film because I love the Beatles and Julie Taymor's creative work,and the ads for the film indicated that this film would be a visual feast of imaginative images reflecting the creativity and culture of the 60's. However, the first third of the film was so plodding that I considered leaving, something I almost never do. Eventually the story picked up as did the art direction, which accounts for the 5. Some of the visual metaphors and/or dance sequences that accompanied the songs ("I Want You"; "Happiness is a Warm Gun"; )sorely lacked mental muscle, like pages from a sophomore art student's journal. (C'mon Julie- stretch it! Feel the burn!) Am I being a curmudgeon to want the woman who created the costumes for "The Lion King" and directed the brilliant "Frida" to try harder to come up with some sharp and truly new ideas to depict the familiar themes of the 60's? On the up-tick, about half of the film succeeded very well, and the scenes featuring Joe Cocker were stellar. If only the whole film were of that caliber...The film pays homage to A Hard Day's Night, Rent, Hair, and maybe even some Madonna videos, but "Across the Universe" lacks the verve and spirit of the originals.