Cloud Atlas

Jmac:

This movie is a very philosophical movie that questions race relations, sexual orientation, and religion. It is also extremely long. This movie is not for the masses, nor is it for anyone set in any type of way. If your sensibilities are easily upset then do not watch this movie. If you believe in a Buddhist idea of reincarnation then this movie may be something you are interested in.

It is an extremely visual movie, with beautiful shot from all over and set in numerous different times. At the core of the movie are the themes of love, revolution, and hope. Things that if you actually get into a philosophical discussion about will generally upset most people, at least in the way they were framed in the movie.

Tom hanks probably played more characters in this movie than all his other movies combined... maybe, hes been in a TON of movies. Halle Berry also stars and does a pretty good job, but Tom Hanks would take best all around actor/actress for this movie, though I think we have found the one character which he can not adequately perform, which is that of a British gangster/thug, but don't worry he's still batting 990 in terms of his amazing acting abilities.

The movie, as most movies of this length, has a lull in the middle, where I thought “are we nearing a climax yet,” well the movie redeemed itself a bit at the end, because as Kmac pointed out, all the iterations of these two ‘souls’ lives are generally very difficult and hard, but I knew there would be a silver lining at the end. The movie is almost a poster for suicide in a hopeful yet morbid way, because if it is to be believed then you will find your significant other if not in the next life, but the life after that, and depending on all the “crimes or kindnesses” you commit, your next station in life is set. This almost makes one want to just jump to the next life to see its wonders. (Not that I'm considering suicide, but the prospect of another life, whether difficult or easy, on this Earth, or another world, fascinates me.)

The movie is also very auditory or musical in nature as one of the main themes is the Cloud Atlas Sextet, and accompanying music. If the movie had never been made the music could stand alone as its own work of art, and could still convey the same feelings as the movie.

I give the Cloud Atlas 3.4 lifetimes out of 5.

PS: If you have difficulty following normal movies that do not jump through time, then don't even attempt to watch this movie. Oh and I would not watch this one with the kiddies, this is strictly 18 and over.

Kmac Review: 

Just because a movie is intellectual doesn’t make it good. I found the last season of Arrested Development to be a puzzle and ended up heaping praise upon it. This movie was well thought out I’ll give it that. And the makeup department deserves an Oscar it didn’t win for effectively transforming the stars into different races and genders. I didn’t realize until halfway in the movie what they were doing and then it became an interesting guessing game. It was really one of the only interesting things about the movie.

The movie was supposed to be about the relationships we form with others and how these relationships carry over from lifetime to lifetime. These relationships are close but change from time to time. In one iteration you may be friends, in another lovers. The idea is interesting and it did spark a lively debate between Jmac and I on the topic. However the movie never made me care enough about the characters to feel invested in their relationships. The idea took center stage here and while thought provoking I simply was not entertained.

This movie was also crazy long. I have sat through some tush busters of movies but at three hours this was just too much. I wondered if just following one of the storylines or two would not be enough to convey the point without creating such a long film. This movie was adapted from a book and is a prime example of how some books are better left as such. I actually want to read the book now. In the book I bet the themes are richer and my own imagination can create the world just as good as any CGI. Plus I can just put it down when I need a break.

Overall I can see why this movie did not appeal to many people. Besides the dense material, the length and multiple characters make this more of a chore than fun. I would encourage those who like a good puzzle to watch. It is pretty to look at and piecing together the story a challenge. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you if you want your three hours back.

I give this movie 3 out of 5 times I’d watch this movie in my next lives.