Review of Cloud Atlas (2012) by Thomas-Dexter P — 09 Aug 2014

After braving the scathing reviews and poor theater performance, I finally settled down to see Cloud Atlas several months after it had dropped into theaters. What I saw was the essence of art, utilizing a truly epic storyline, spectacular quotes, deep philosophical explorations, heart-stopping action, a powerful soundtrack, and a cast that, while pushing the boundaries of traditional cinema, successfully succeeds in snaring the heart of the audience and humanity as a whole.

This movie will never truly be embraced by the critics of its time because, like so many other great works of cinema, music and writing, it has fallen far ahead of its era. However do not let the mediocrity of the film industry and world moviegoers stop you from seeing this gem.

Though rough at times and incredibly long, it does not bore and it does not lead the watcher on a vain journey. The movie is both satisfying and awe inspiring. Years from now, people with more perspective will herald this movie as something revolutionary and genius, something that deserved far more respect than it ever received.

When the popular remakes and bumbling cash cows of today are forgotten, this movie will stand like Shakespeare, timelessly reminding us that what is best is not always what is liked, for Cloud Atlas is the greatest film of all time, despite those that say otherwise.

Seamlessly incorporating the lessons of a hundred years of film-making into a single masterpiece, Cloud Atlas is the pinnacle of human expression through film and as such, it is an epic discourse on the human condition.

See it, then see it again and again, for Cloud Atlas is timeless.