A compilation of separate moments within various people's lives intertwined by reincarnation and most importantly the viewer's own interpretation and imagination.

Rating: 7/10 (8 July 2013)

Let's start with something important namely respecting people's opinions. I know most people on- or offline despise this movie, mostly because it was too long or it was too convoluted. If you are one of these people I would like to say that I respect your opinion and I would like to ask you to respect mine. In the end movie reviews, good or bad, are just people sharing their opinions within a network of movie lovers.
Cloud Atlas is a movie that is focused on various peoples within the past, present and distant future. These peoples are reincarnations of themselves experiencing events that are mostly different with slight recurring themes. As aforementioned this movie can be compared to a compilation of stories written by a writer that is using certain custom themes to reflect his own personality. Personally I think that this aspect of the movie should have been explained better or at least emphasized at the start of the movie. The lack of this explanation made this movie look like a plot driven story creating expectations for a big revelation at the end. Even though there is a plot, like most movies, it isn't the focus of the story. I perceived the story as a character study focusing on different events throughout time and space. Where past events are recurring in the future and how different characters, but the same person, make certain decisions.
The acting is good as expected from Tom Hanks, Hugo Weaving and Jim Broadbent; however I do have to admit that it felt a bit strange seeing the same actors wearing masks to change their appearances. The idea is interesting but the execution wasn't done right, to see Hugo weaving in drag or as an Asian really pushed the limits of my suspense of disbelieve. But apart from that the actors did a good job in portraying the world and their emotions.
Music wasn't that special it was okay and it succeeded in creating the right atmosphere.
Atmosphere is essential in all movies and I personally think that the Wachowski brothers have made a movie that oozed atmosphere. Every moment had its own color and feel that complimented the stories. The worlds were beautiful with a rich culture and much detail. I especially liked the language that was used in the future.
In my honest opinion Hollywood is making a lot of movies these days that is following a fixed overused pattern. A pattern that has been considered the standard and when you deviate from this standard you'll be either loved or hated. So if you want to watch this movie please forget the standard and consider this movie as an art movie with many symbolisms and openness for you to interpret as a viewer (much like the movies Mister Nobody or Holy Motors). Please have an open mind, no expectations, and try to be invested in all the stories, not just one, because then you'll see how good this movie truly is.
Most people are not going to like this, but I'm giving this movie a 7.