Cloud Atlas Review
Cloud Atlas was finally released in the UK last week, 6 months after the USA release much to my frustration, as since seeing the trailer for it in early 2012 I have been adamant on watching it.
Let me get the main problem with the film out of the way first, the sheer length of it. The run time is just under 3 hours, and while I appreciate that there is a lot of content to fit in, and the film was never boring, it strikes me that it could have been cut down by at least half an hour. But even if my bum had gone well and truly numb by the end of it, I felt like it was worth it, as in my opinion Cloud Atlas is one of the most original (Albeit adapted) blockbuster Hollywood films I have seen in a long time.
The plot is not even worth trying to explain in this review, as it crosses 6 different time periods, places and events which all intertwine throughout the movie, cutting back and forth between the different planes of narrative. While this jumping of the narrative was very confusing at first, it isn't long before you get used to it. The narratives are all based around similar themes, the themes are relateable to all of us, whether it be life, death, hope, sacrifice or rebellion. The idea of Cloud Atlas is that the narratives are all connected, much like we are all connected, it sounds very pretentious and preachy but it really does all come together nicely by the end, and seems to have accomplished what it was made to do in that regard.
One of the unique things about this picture is how all of the main actors within the film play different roles within each storyline. Not only are they playing different characters, but different races and genders too, white people play black people, black people play white people, men play women etc. Its all very confusing at first, and sometimes down right funny, especially Hugo Weaving (Mr Anderson in the Matrix) playing a female retirement home nurse and Tom Hanks playing a multitude of amusing characters. The actors all seem to be on point, most noticeably Tom Hanks and Ben Whishaw, the only drawback to all of this gender/race hopping is that some of the accents are a little off putting, particularly the Asian accents and the made up gibberish accent which is used in one of the main story lines.
The visuals are excellent, which is expected considering the film is made by the Wachowski brothers (and now sister) who made The Matrix and V for Vendetta. The two places where the visuals really shine are in the Japanese city of the future and in the mysterious "Valley" which is set on a different planet. In each of these locations you will find sweeping vistas, beautiful landscape design and some rather impressive CGI gadgets that will make nerds drool at the mouth.
The film manages to accomplish what it set out to do, which was to make a film from a book that was claimed unfilmable. The Wachowski's have created a truly original film, one which is brimming with love and care, and on repeated viewings is sure to give you something new each time. Its a film that will confuse you, mesmerise you, scare you and in the end impress you, with its style and undeniable confidence and bravery.
8.5/10
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