3.5: Wow, what a polarizing film as far as critical reviews go. I'm used to the critics I respect being in the same ballpark at least, but with this film some were truly polar opposites. The true test for me came with the second viewing and it was sp... (read more) 3.5: Wow, what a polarizing film as far as critical reviews go. I'm used to the critics I respect being in the same ballpark at least, but with this film some were truly polar opposites. The true test for me came with the second viewing and it was spectacular. I thought it would be a 4 star film after the first act or so, but my reactions cooled a bit as the film progressed on my initial viewing. This was not the case the second time, but I think it's a bit too long for 4 stars. Even after several viewings, it does seem to drag a bit; granted it is pretty difficult to maintain the virtuosic brilliance of the first act. Still, this is in my top ten films ever directed by a woman, not that one can necessarily tell while watching it, and possibly in my top five. At least the first act is. It's unlike anything else made recently. The only thing I can compare it to is Dancer in the Dark. Spectacular and imaginative filmmaking. This is no f***ing Chicago. It's faults lie in the fact that the story cannot live up to the brilliance of the songs weaved into it. However, they are weaved into it pretty damn well. I think it would be far better served by making drastic cuts and trying to stick as close to a wall to wall Beatles songs film as possible. My initial reaction was WOW and I felt this rush through much of the film. It's ridiculous how well the songs serve the film's narrative. It is so effortlessly weaved together it seems as if the Beatles never existed at times. What better group to do this as well. It is a revelation and a gift. I absolutely adore the cheerleader scene in the first act. I almost want to put it in my list of all-time favorite scenes. Goosebumps every time. I don't think this picture will ever get old.

If you enjoyed watching Pink Floyd's The Wall or The Who's Tommy or just like The Beatles songs I can recommend this.

This movie totally rules. Original, well made, a romantic musical told throughout Beatles songs! What else could a Romantic ask for? It was perfect.

I liked it a lot more than I thought I would...
I was also just in the mood for something like this so I may have to watch it again.

love the cast, the backgd, the SONGS!!! the accent of Jim!
but it s more like a mixture of several unrelated Music Videos together than a movie, and the surrealism invloved, kinda work and not. just new to me. i duno what to say. but i reli enjoy in ... (read more) love the cast, the backgd, the SONGS!!! the accent of Jim!
but it s more like a mixture of several unrelated Music Videos together than a movie, and the surrealism invloved, kinda work and not. just new to me. i duno what to say. but i reli enjoy in a way that is ridiculous and cannot be explaned


oh, am i ranking more n more lenient lately>< gosh... need some extreme scores to put the good n bad movies apart...

[A] visionary attempt to wed a story of young love and 1960s war protest to the Lennon-McCartney catalog.

...Julie Taymor's rhapsodic mash note to John, Paul, George and Ringo falls just short of breathtaking.

An often-dazzling rock opera set to the accompaniment of 33 Beatles songs.

An interesting failure, not a fascinating one.

Something that would have been a bad idea for an Off-Broadway concept show has inexplicably been turned into a bloated two hour and eleven minute movie musical.