Cloud Atlas

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Cloud Atlas.

Written & Directed by Lana Wachowski, Andy Wachowski & Tom Tykwer.

Based on the novel "Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell.

Review #188

MPAA Rating: R for violence, language, sexuality/nudity and some drug use.

Run Time: 172 min

Cast

Tom Hanks...Dr. Henry Goose / Hotel Manager / Isaac Sachs / Dermot Hoggins / Cavendish Look-a-Like Actor / Zachry

Halle Berry...Native Woman / Jocasta Ayrs / Luisa Rey / Indian Party Guest / Ovid / Meronym

Jim Broadbent...Captain Molyneux / Vyvyan Ayrs / Timothy Cavendish / Korean Musician / Prescient 2

Hugo Weaving...Haskell Moore / Tadeusz Kesselring / Bill Smoke / Nurse Noakes / Boardman Mephi / Old Georgie

Jim Sturgess...Adam Ewing / Poor Hotel Guest / Megan's Dad / Highlander / Hae-Joo Chang / Adam / Zachry Brother-in-Law

Doona Bae...Tilda / Megan's Mom / Mexican Woman / Sonmi-451 / Sonmi-351 / Sonmi Prostitute

Ben Whishaw...Cabin Boy / Robert Frobisher / Store Clerk / Georgette / Tribesman

Keith David...Kupaka / Joe Napier / An-kor Apis / Prescient

James D'Arcy...Young Rufus Sixsmith / Old Rufus Sixsmith / Nurse James / Archivist

Xun Zhou...Talbot / Hotel Manager / Yoona-939 / Rose

David Gyasi...Autua / Lester Rey / Duophsyte

Susan Sarandon...Madame Horrox / Older Ursula / Yusouf Suleiman / Abbess

Hugh Grant...Rev. Giles Horrox / Hotel Heavy / Lloyd Hooks / Denholme Cavendish / Seer Rhee / Kona Chief

Brody Nicholas Lee...Javier Gomez / Jonas / Zachry's Older Nephew


After their failed adaptation of Speed Racer, the Wachowski's went AWOL for a couple of years. Instead of making films they lent their talents in the producer capacity. Then came the surprising news that Larry Wachowski became Lana Wachowski. He had the transgender procedures done after Speed Racer. This could have explained the 4 year hiatus. Nevertheless. It's great to have them back because with the help of Tykwer.

They created one of the best films I've seen this year!

Plot

An exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution. 

Before I dig into this review I have three words of advice if you decide to see this film.

STAY WITH IT!

Cloud Atlas does it's absolute best to make you hate it by applying confusion and a feeling of it never ending. This was an unfortunate result for 2 people that were in the theater with me. They didn't last 25 minutes. It's really too bad cause not only did they just burn $13 apiece.

They missed out on amazing adventure.

As always, I try to not reveal too much plot info in my reviews. Rest assured that won't happen with Cloud Atlas. Not because I care about the integrity of the plot or keeping thins spoiler free. It's because I have no idea how to describe it. The general plot that's highlighted in this review doesn't come close to cover everything that happens in this movie. And it's that fact that makes this movie such a joy to watch.

There have been many reviews and opinions that say Cloud Atlas falls into my coined S.O.S category. That is a valid point but I venture to guess that some of the critics that feel this way didn't see the same film that I did. That's not their fault. Like I mentioned earlier, the movie doesn't make it easy for you to get a grasp on and follow. Cloud Atlas requires two very important things.

Patience and bladder control.

At just under 3 hours, this film makes you feel it. This is where Cloud Atlas falls a bit for me. Now I have nothing against long films when they are paced properly. This movie lacks in that department. A lot of that can be attributed to the length of some scenes. The movie jumps around between the different time periods and characters. As a result you will not get a lot of continuity. Adding to the "broken" feel of the narrative, some of the scenes will vary in length which can also mess with your mental puzzle construction. However, if you follow my advice, your patience will be rewarded because the film comes full circle in the end. Tying all of the stories and time periods together and wrapping them all up to a satisfying conclusion.

Moving on to the other part of the opinions the critics had of this film.

The visuals in Cloud Atlas are stunning. Particularly in the future world of Neo Seoul. The world created there is just amazing to look at. The rest of the film has magnificent set pieces and locations as well. In a film like this that travels all over the world and time for that matter needs to display a large degree of authenticity. That happens in massive quantities here. Every time period and locale was well designed and presented down to the smallest detail. This is a quality that the Wachowski's are known for. They pay attention to the little things because it's those things that can make or break as scene.

The cast in this film is remarkable. Not just in their performance but in the number of characters they play. This is also a testament to the incredible makeup department. I dare you to tell me that you knew Halle Berry was the Korean doctor. OK. Minor spoiler. Sue me. It won't take away from your viewing experience. Speaking of Koreans the show stealer in this one was unquestionably Doona Bae. Her performance as Sonmi-451 was captivating. Her character requires her to be very subdued and introverted so her eyes have to tell most of the story and she pulls it off beautifully. It didn't hurt that she was easy on the eyes either.

It's really a shame that Cloud Atlas is flopping. By most accounts it will take a miracle for the film to recoup it's $100 million plus budget. The Wachowski's and Tykwer showed some serious balls and made a movie that's not considered down the beaten path. They deserved some attention for the effort because the effort was a valiant one.

The problem is what makes Cloud Atlas so strong also makes it weak.

If the film had been shaved by at least 30 minutes then perhaps it might have been better received. That's saying a whole lot when I'm suggesting to cut out the equivalent of an entire third of a "normal" film's running time. Cloud Atlas may not have gotten it's desired response. It got one out of me.

I loved this film and I will continue to support it and be in it's corner.

On the 5 star scale. Cloud Atlas gets 4 stars. With a "Worth Every Penny!" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is Skyfall.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"