Review of Cloud Atlas (2012) by Safi M — 29 Mar 2015

Cloud Atlas is a beautifully shot though provoking film, each of the characters managed to weave between sequences well as long as you are following, a very long piece and quite a bit of brain work is necessary for that reason I wouldn't recommend it for a family moment and is a film better watched alone or in pairs when you have a lot of time to spare. I have watched this film three times and each time noticed more symbolism and meaning which attests to how rich the content it, it is a sad film a happy film and a sci fi thriller, this film breaks genre conventions mashing many styles into one epic screen feast. Spoilers here!

My favourite sequence is in the future where the drone girls are working,this scene is a cold view of a future and really makes you consider where humanity may go to with the expansion of genetic science, for that reason and much more I would say cloud atlas is an intellectual film, much like the matrix. Tom hanks is such a great actor full of emotion and he adds so much to this film. The most empowering part of the movie is when the oldies break free, and I was willing them too, such a lovely piece of writing to incude all generations and this film feels so well loved by its creators all the intricate details of place and costume show this.

I have one gripe with this film, the end. It let me down after such a great and slow build it just never seemed to for-fill my expectations, I sort of feels like the film is meant to just go on and on revealing past upon future upon past.But as it is a film it had to end I would have liked to see some narration or story closure text on screen at that point, maybe mimicking a true story style film. It was a great watch though, Tom Halle and all the cast were fabulous together and achieved a great piece of art.