Cloud Atlas 
Starring: Tom Hanks,HalleBerry, Hugh Grant, Hugo Weaving, Jim Broadbent, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, Keith David, James D’Arcy
Directed by Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski
Rated: R
Run Time: 172 mins
Genre: Drama/ Fantasty/ Mystery/ Sci-Fi
Opens October 26th
By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com
Every once in awhile, a film will come along and change the way storytelling is done. The Wachowski brothers became game changers with the film Matrix, blowing away audiences with their extraordinary talent and vision. If there was ever a way to come back on the scene, Andy and Lana Wachowski picked the perfect, ambitious project to do so with Cloud Atlas.
Cloud Atlas is an accumulation of 6 storylines ranging from past, present and future over a span of about 600 years. Each story is observed by the main character featured in the next story, except for the last chapter, which ends in the middle of the film and works back to the beginning to wrap up each storyline. Sounds a little confusing, but it all makes sense in the context of the film Starting 1849, in the Pacific Islands the story skips to Cambridge, 1936, then to San Francisco, 1973; London 2012; Neo Seoul 2144 and somewhere call the Big Isle, 106 after “The Fall”. Each actor plays a different character in the given time frame, connecting in a new and unique way.
Cloud Atlas is a complex story that has many layers and depth that viewers will either love or hate. Upon reflecting on how to explain this to someone who hasn't yet seen the film, this is a film so unique that is has to be seen and experience to understand what it is about. This film has comedy, drama, sci-fi, thriller, mystery and romance so to try and peg it into one category is impossible. The performances from each actor, Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Sturgess, Hugo Weaving, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent and Doona Bae are fantastic in each character they play. Visually, the film is beautiful; everything from the sets, costumes and make-up, each department did an outstanding job of bringing the story of Cloud Atlas to life. The interwoven messages and lessons conveyed on screen are communicated beautifully; evoking deep emotional depths and insightful questions. Viewers will have to pay attention to each story, as the details presented in one vignette will play a pivotal role in another story and may become confusing if not paying attention. This film is philosophical, almost cerebral in nature, thus overall an excellent conversation piece to discuss with others after the film ends. Be sure to check out the film when it opens Friday October 26, 2012.
