After reading the reviews on here for this movie, I have to say, they both missed the point. (No, I'm not bashing them. I respect their opinions.) That's the problem though: they're viewing it outside of it's intended audience. The intended audience of the film, regardless of what they or anyone else says, was to be the 16 - 25 crowd; the people who society views now as the subculture. That is why I believe that a review from a 13 year old saying that the movie is boring is a travesty; of course he thinks the movie is boring and convoluted. I'm sorry kiddo, but the movie wasn't meant for you. As for the other review, I hold my comment.

This movie was wonderful. I disagree strongly with Tara the Mom's review: the movie doesn't say that the result of drugs is sex and fun. In fact, it's that mindset that leads to book burning and protests at high school productions. (You know, Harry Potter does lead kids to the occult after all. That's not prejudice! It's scientific! Cut me a break...) In any case, the movie is telling people the truth: sex and drugs was a huge part of the subculture 60's. They're still a part of culture and sadly, to those of you who would like to assume this doesn't happen, it's my duty to inform you that NOT all sex and drugs lead to pain. The movie shows the main protagonist being left by the girl he loves because of it. Yeah... that's not painful at all.

So, for the age group, the movie is appropriate and well done. Don't let someone tarnish Ms. Taymor's artistic merit just because they don't relate or are blinded by the term parent.

Musicals may be the trend among young audiences, but Across the Universe is no High School Musical. Using Beatles songs to tell a story about young adults falling in love in the turbulent '60s, Julie Taymor's film reveals history in a vivid and symbolic way. That sounds like a good thing...but it's not.

Providing historical perspective is a wonderful thing but we can't forget that sex and drugs had a strong place in 1960s history. Most films that feature drug usage usually show a consequence or a down side. In Across the Universe, the message is drugs are good and the consequence of doing them is sex, fun and pain relief in the best of ways.

The symbolism is far too confusing for a tween or even a younger teen to get (although the underwater love scene symbolizing an orgy is welcomely confusing).

Other concerns you may have: male and female characters all live together in an apartment in New York and a lot of hooking up occurs; a post-coital moment exposes the lead actresses breast for an extended period of time; and there's just as much drinking as drug use that involves some vandalism.

The placement of a lesbian character presents her point-of-view of feeling like an outcast in the 60s. We don't see her acting in a sexual way but do grasp her longing and self-frustration in the unacceptableness of her feeling for that time. Kids today are far more aware of homosexuality than we were as kids and I welcomed this tasteful way of putting one in her shoes.

The music in Across the Universe is wonderful and is definitely the magnetic factor in the film. However, kids just aren't going to get the messages and in many ways, you'll be glad they're not. For ages 15+.