'Across the Universe' – High-Def Digest Review

[Attebery]

Peter's review of 'Across the Universe' has been posted. He had mixed reactions to the film, praising its imagery, but finding weaknesses in its story, characters, and lack of emotional engagement. Still, he says this Blu-ray is an unqualified winner, with great video and audio and tons of content-rich supplements. If you're a fan of the film, then absolutely rush out and buy this disc. If you're merely curious, it's definitely worth a rental.

Full review here:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1263...0universe.html

[dvddesign]

I'm not trying to pile on an "I told you so" or anything, but Peter totally nailed the problems I had with this movie. It's as though they remade "The 60's" miniseries and decided to use The Beatles' catalog as a narrative backing device.

Ultimately I felt the film suffered because it couldn't properly connect me between the visuals and the music. The only two songs that I felt nailed their subject matter with proper visuals were "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" and "Happiness is a Warm Gun". "Mr. Kite" is what it is, but I though Eddie Izzard was looking too bored to bother to actually do anything but speak the role. Pairing the talky Mr. Kite with stuff that felt like it fell out of a theater production of this film ruined that number for me completely.

I would love to rent this to give the supplements a go, maybe to watch it once more to enjoy the songs that I did like, but I wouldn't rush out to buy this. Anyone looking for a fresh take on The Beatles body of work would do well to pick up a copy of LOVE instead. It's much more inspired, sticks to the parts of the source that we love, and has none of the sappy and contorted melodrama of the Taymor movie to weigh down the music.

[DrAndonuts]

I actually enjoyed this movie. It wasn't fantastic, but it was pretty good. Glad to hear the disc is great.

[kamcma]

Out of curiosity, how do people already have this movie? A reviewer's copy, I suspect, which unfortunately does not help me, because I would love to get my hands on this disc ASAP. Oh well; patience is a virtue.

[project-blu]

one word: WANT

[abbazappaplant]

i'd give the movie 3.5 stars out of 5... it was definitely thin and lacking in a few spots (trust me, i was hoping for an extended cut) but I felt it was really entertaining in places.

Glad to hear it's a top notch transfer and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

[HKMOVIESAREBEST]

Wow, I thought it was one of the best films to come out last year. I will be getting this day one. The visual style of the film should come off great in HD.

[Kotatsu Neko]

This film was on several critic's worst of the year lists. Sounds like it was a novel idea ruined through terrible implementation.

I shall not be picking this up.

[HKMOVIESAREBEST]

Originally Posted by Kotatsu Neko

This film was on several critic's worst of the year lists. Sounds like it was a novel idea ruined through terrible implementation.

I shall not be picking this up.

So you don't have a mind of your own. Good for you.

[Kotatsu Neko]

Originally Posted by HKMOVIESAREBEST

So you don't have a mind of your own. Good for you.

Thanks for the insult.

When the few critics I actually trust (based on me more often than not liking the same films they do) slam a movie and say it's one of the worst of the year then I suspect they may be right and I can save myself some money/time.

[HKMOVIESAREBEST]

Originally Posted by Kotatsu Neko

Thanks for the insult.

Not a problem.

[atdm71]

Very well written review, Peter. I quite enjoyed Taymor's version of "Titus" and was eagerly awaiting this release. I figured it would be a stunner of a disc given her visual style, but it sounds as though this one's a bit of a let down (?).

Whatever the case, I will definitely rent it first, and I am hopeful it's good enough to buy.

Cheers.

[SoulOnIce]

Originally Posted by Kotatsu Neko

Thanks for the insult.

When the few critics I actually trust (based on me more often than not liking the same films they do) slam a movie and say it's one of the worst of the year then I suspect they may be right and I can save myself some money/time.

Why don't you pay $5 dollars and rent it and decide for yourself?

[Patsfan123]

Back of the box says TrueHD, Peter says PCM. Who to trust?!

[PrestoMovie]

i wish i could buy this, but i just spent $500 last weekend on a 40GB PS3, Component cables for said PS3(my tv in my room only does 1080i with no HDMI output) and Superbad on Blu-Ray.

now i have to wait a month for my birthday.

maybe i should've gotten this instead of Superbad since i LOVED this film to death. I know some didn't like it and some did, but I simply loved it.