Across the Universe a slice of whimsy and nostalgia

"Kaleidoscopic" is not a word we use lightly around here, but Julie Taymor's Across the Universe -- a two-hour slice of whimsy, nostalgia, anti-war sentiment and psychedelic magic mushroom -- is the most original piece of musical myth-making since Nicole Kidman was swinging from the ceiling in Moulin Rouge.

Across the Universe is the story of the 1960s and all its icons (at least the ones we remember), told to the music of 33 Beatles songs. For a certain generation, this will be the first musical in years to which we know all the words.And what words they are. As John Lennon himself put it, "goo goo ga joob."