Cloud Atlas

Director: The  Wachowski's and Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry and Hugh Grant
Run Time: 172 mins

I literally just finished watching Cloud Atlas and thought I'd write a quick review, as its fresh in my mind. Perhaps its a bit bias doing it this way, not letting it digest, but also maybe more honest? Either way my initial reaction is that I loved it!

 I went in blind having not read the book and knowing very little about Cloud Atlas other than it being about a number of characters and stories spanning across different time periods, ranging from the seemingly trivial to the grand - yet all linked in ther themes and ideas.

The visuals were stunning, from every aspect. Usually I'd highlight the special effects, the make up and costume design, the cinematography or the choreography of the action scenes, but in Cloud Atlas they are all such high quality. From the scenery on the primitive but future island story to the sci fi city for instance. There is so much variety in the visuals but none are weak at all!

The make up must get a special mention though, and I'd already heard how surprising and even controversial it was. It really is phenomenal how they managed to change the actors - some very distinct - beyond recognition! Although Hugo Weaving couldn't get away with it - even as a woman!! - but the likes of Tom Hanks, Hugh Grant and Halle Berry completely slipped past me dressed as some of their characters. We had a great time trying to spot them all and where shocked as the credits rolled showing the actors and the characters they had played, followed by gasps of 'Nooo, surely not!?" from my mum. It really added to the film's guiding principle of life and how it is connected by a vast yet repetitive network of time.

 

I can see why it received mixed reviews. Its really doesn't let you catch you breath at all, and even at nearly three hours could of benefited from another hour or more. At some points it feels like an awfully long trailer, stopping and starting at each of the 7 or so stories so quickly you hardly have time to process the plot, let alone the deeper, more complex meanings. However, I felt it only added to the idea of connectivity and as the pace quickens surely it only seems fitting that the juxtaposition would too?

For me it worked on every level, and left me thinking, inspired and wanting to read the book. Understandably, the film probably suffers if you've read the book beforehand, especially considering how grand and complex the story is - going in blind certainly paid off this time. Simple minded, easy to please me and my family, weren't dissapointed, but Mr pretentious, I've read and studied the book three times will certainly have a lot more to say...

8 - Easily one of the more interesting films of the year. Definitely an experience regardless of whether you enjoy the style or not. Rent it!