Review of Cloud Atlas (2012) by Eric M — 19 May 2015

The first film I've ever enjoyed by the Wachowskis, in my opinion this is their magnum opus, their most ambitious work, and most profound storytelling. "Cloud Atlas" juggles multiple tones, genres, time periods and characters with astonishing skill, packing occasional emotional punches and philosophical musings.

It really feels like the Wachowskis poured their worldview directly into this film, a frightening vision of a post-apocalyptic Earth one moment, a "Brave New World" esque dystopia the next, the imaginative prowess is staggering, coupled with the emotive power of an underlying thematic exploration of the significance of human moral choices and actions.

Fun stuff that is always engaging, and despite a couple of rough patches (occasional overly vulgar indulgence, distracting prosthetics, a well-intentioned homosexual subplot undercut by the main character's questionable moral character) that prevent the work from being an utter masterpiece, armed with multiple multi-faceted performances, "Cloud Atlas" stands above much of the popular cinema today for its delightful originality.

Too bad the Wachowskis couldn't make more films of such noble-hearted caliber as this.