Review of Cloud Atlas (2012) by Sol C — 01 Dec 2013

The Wachowski's new film is ambitious but strikes out. They had a good idea for a film, but didn't execute it correctly. They show 6 stories here, in the past, present, and future and how each story effects the other. The key is how they are connected. The film is visually stunning. Great cinematography and special effects. The music score is very good. I did like the cross cutting editing at times between the stories.

I felt with the story in the future that Jim Sturgess is lead, was an homage to the Matrix. Some of the sets and ships reminded me of those in the Matrix. Some of the fight scenes reminded me of the fights in the Matrix. Plus Jim Sturgess looked a lot like Keanu Reeves.

One major negative is that the film is almost 3 hours. It could have been 1 hour shorter. The first hour the audience wouldn't see how the stories are connected until the 2nd hour and the 3rd hour everything is wrapped up. However, by the time the audience gets to the 3rd hour they might loose interest in the film. Also the make up on the actors and some of the performances are too over the top and you can't take it seriously.

I can understand why the Wachowskis got an all star ensemble. Many of the cast are playing multiple roles in each story. Only Hugh Grant and Hugo Weaving's characters are villains in all the stories.

I hope the Wachowski's next film is better than this one. The last great film that I have seen of theirs, was the original Matrix.