What is there to say about Across the Universe that you won’t have already heard from elsewhere? To sum it up, it was a story about two young lovers who overcome great adversity. But I called that even before we took our seats.

It was the world premiere at Roy Thompson Hall, and I had scored two “priority” tickets from my job only 4 hours ago. I was excited beyond belief, but underneath that excitement was a fear. A despicable sniggering piece of shit of fear that sat imperiously at the pit of my stomach which would remain there for duration of the film, waiting for that bit of cheese; that bit of foul aftertaste from which a poorly executed cheesey moment which I really can’t stand.

Well, the truth is I couldn’t stop smiling the entire time. It was beautiful. It was beautiful, lyrical, so romantically nostalgic, incredible vibrant, with more fabulous American pop culture references than you can shake a dick at… If you enjoyed the trailer that gives you lots of tantalizing tidbits of the gloriousness that is this film, then yes you should watch this film. If the words “hippie” or “kids” ever enter into your head when contemplating this movie, don’t bother.

It’s BEYOND this.

Hehe. In all seriousness, if you’re looking for the plot twist of a lifetime or a non-musical, you will not enjoy this. You’ll find it predictable and drawn out. But if you’re part of the 83.7681% of the world population, and you love music and are willing to take a chance on movie that easily could have been butchered, but is in fact a masterpiece. Director Julie Taymor has created yet another beautiful masterpiece where she has (again) brought art and love to life.

Across the Universe breathes new life to some of the best loved songs in the world’s history. Not only does Elliot Goldenthal lovingly covers great Beatles classics and some memorable others that I had never heard before, but the story by Taymor, Clement and La Frenais unravels in a graceful pace, allowing me the leisure of absorbing every colour, every perfect moment, and every note as if for the first time.