Across the Universe is an ambitious, Beatles inspired musical that's sure to divide audiences. On the one hand, it's big, bold and creative. On the other hand, the Beatles tunes that make up most of the picture are re-interpetations fashioned by director Julie Taymor and her cast. This is to say that many of the songs have been tweaked to bring this vivid cinematic experience to life, and this will surely be disconcerting to many hardcore Beatles fans. I just so happen to be a huge fan of the Beatles but I was able to watch Across the Universe with an open mind.

The story takes place in the 60's and focuses on a British dock worker named Jude, who decides to travel to the states for a little adventure. While there, he befriends war drafted Max (Joe Anderson), falls in love with Max's idealistic sister Lucy (the gifted Evan Rachel Wood), and gets caught up in a revolution. Julie Taymor (Titus, Frida) is a visual stylist in every sense, and Across the Universe is full of her trademark visual imagery. The cinematography is simply breathtaking and the choreography is equally impressive.

The performances are solid. Jim Sturgess gives the film's strongest turn as the love sick Jude, while Dana Fuchs is perfectly sassy as hippy siren Sadie (a role clearly inspired by Janis Joplin). Also, watch for a nutty but winning turn by U2's Bono. The Beatles songs as presented in Across the Universe can be a bit jarring. They compliment the piece perfectly, but many will argue that you shouldn't mess with a great thing. Still, this a movie more in the tradition of Moulin Rouge than something like...say...the Bee Gees' much ridiculed Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (a film I have a little bit of affection for – I recognize it's myriad shortcomings, but I still enjoy watching it).

The real problem with Across the Universe is its pacing. There have been reports that Taymor tried to walk away from the project after the studio stepped in to take control, and it shows. It feels as if chunks of the story are missing, undermining its sprawling nature. In particular, the end of the picture just sort of happens. There is no real build up to it. Still, this is a movie about visual bravado and when the imagery is doing the talking, Across the Universe puts the viewer in a dreamlike state. This isn't a great movie, but it's certainly an interesting (and innovative) one.