Cloud Atlas (2012)

 
8.3 (4)
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Cloud Atlas
Overview
A set of six nested stories spanning time between the 19th century and a distant post-apocalyptic future., Cloud Atlas explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future. Based on the award winning novel by David Mitchell. Directed by Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis.

Trailers and other videos

Trailer #2
Official Trailer
Featurette #2
Featurette
Extensive Inside Look
Interview with Tom Hanks and Halle Berry
Interview - Doona Bae & Jim Sturgess

Reviews

4 reviews

Overall 
 
8.3
Story 
 
7.4  (4)
Acting 
 
9.1  (4)
Visuals 
 
9.4  (4)
Soundtrack 
 
7.4  (4)
Ratings (the higher the better)
Story
Acting
Visuals
Soundtrack
Your Review
(Updated: January 18, 2013)
Reviewed by
Top 50 Reviewer   /   View all my reviews (2)
Overall 
 
9.8
Story 
 
9.0
Acting 
 
10.0
Visuals 
 
10.0
Soundtrack 
 
10.0

Beautiful

Such an ambitious movie with some excusable flaws. Great storytelling and one the most interesting movies of 2012. I think the directors did a fantastic job of weaving these stories together, as well as capturing and sustaining interest throughout. It was long, but I didn't feel it. It was visually beautiful with stunning action sequences and the score was perfect! I'm also really impressed by the use of the main characters; I can't think of anything like it that I've ever seen before!

Useful review? 
Reviewed by
Top 50 Reviewer   /   View all my reviews (1)
Overall 
 
7.5
Story 
 
5.5
Acting 
 
8.0
Visuals 
 
9.0
Soundtrack 
 
7.5

Too Ambitious

Disclaimer: I have NOT read the book.
An artistic, overly-symbolic squash of bewilderment, three-hour Cloud Atlas should have been split into multiple parts - perhaps a two-part or three part trilogy in order to give the Wachowski Brothers and Tom Tykwer more time to connect the dissonant storylines. What can you expect with three directors? Frustration engulfed me throughout the film – Why is the scientist telling the reporter everything? Why are they on another planet? What is the big deal about the music? Hundreds of questions that I knew just minutes into the film were never going to be answered.
I was disappointed and unpleasantly surprised of the cliché character framing and musical cues in the film. The usual orchestra sweeps with philosophical diatribes initially had my eyes rolling, and eventually had them closed in exhaustion. These cues, subtly implemented in Tom Tykwer’s Run Lola Run seem pretentious and flaunting in Cloud Atlas. The Wachowski Brothers often over-emphasize and over-deliver themes– something that fit wonderfully in Matrix, but was a point of weakness in Matrix Reloaded, Matrix Revolutions, V for Vendetta, and now Cloud Atlas.
Tom Hanks delivers a great performance in multiple roles. I wasn’t particularly impressed by Halle Berry. The CGI was, as expected, top class; however, I had just witnessed the care and cinemagraphic attention-to-detail in Django Unchained and had a difficult time comparing the antebellum cinematography in Cloud Atlas.
I wanted to like Cloud Atlas after watching it, yet I feel I would have to ensure multiple three-hour showings to achieve a semblance of comprehension. And I don’t think I would be rewarded with the same form of gratification as an also artistically ambiguous Blade Runner.
I emphasize my disclaimer at the top – I’m sure the book connects the storylines better – and perhaps it should have stayed a book.

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Reviewed by
Top 10 Reviewer   /   View all my reviews (7)
Overall 
 
9.6
Story 
 
9.5
Acting 
 
9.0
Visuals 
 
10.0
Soundtrack 
 
10.0

Have to watch it again

Most ambitious and at the same time most down to earth movie of the last decade, a complete cinematic achievement to be analyzed and dissected multiple times - or simply enjoyed as a good storytelling, film works both ways and that's what makes it so great.

Useful review? 
Reviewed by
Top 50 Reviewer   /   View all my reviews (1)
Overall 
 
6.4
Story 
 
5.5
Acting 
 
9.5
Visuals 
 
8.5
Soundtrack 
 
2.0

I like it. Worth the money

I think the directors did a fantastic job of weaving these stories together, as well as capturing and sustaining interest throughout. It was long, but I didn't feel it. I emphasize my disclaimer at the top – I’m sure the book connects the storylines better – and perhaps it should have stayed a book.

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