They Pulled it Off, Exceeding my Expectations

Rating: 9/10 (25 October 2012)

I had high hopes for Cloud Atas, but I didn't know how they were going to pull off 6 separate stories being played by the same actors/actresses and bring it all together where movies such as "New York, I Love You" had failed. I also did not know what I thought about the close to 3 hour running time and 3 directors working to assemble this truly epic endeavor.
Let me tell you that they did it.
Not only do they somehow achieve not feeling like their is too much going on or that parts of the movie should be eliminated, but each actor/actress really transforms from character to character and you feel something for every single one.
That is freaking impressive.
But what's even more impressive on this sucker is that you get sucked in during the 1st 10 minutes (unlike the book in which I put it down after 30 long pages) by the way they introduce all 6 stories up front, switch between them in an almost seamless fashion, and reduce the whole meaning of these stories down to a paragraph at the end of the movie.
Gosh, the level of mastery here makes me want to vomit.
If I resist the urge, let me finally ad the cinematography, acting, and makeup should all be nominated for Academy Awards. If this does not win "best makeup," the production team has been robbed.
Can't wait to see it again and enjoy all the little symbolic items sprinkled throughout the movie.