A True Cinematic Masterpiece & Ideological Achievement

Rating: 9/10 (27 October 2012)

Cloud Atlas is a cinematic, story-telling masterpiece with an incredibly deep, meaningful, and thought-provoking philosophy woven into its six interconnected stories about how our choices and external phenomena have life-altering effects not only on ourselves, but also create a ripple effect throughout time and space and affect those around us and even those in the distant future. Cloud Atlas is a bold, passionate, and ambitious movement not to be taken lightly and not for the faint of heart. Completely immerse yourself throughout this three-hour epic. Don't struggle to get comfortable with it. Let it master you, and you will be immensely rewarded with the grand emotional culmination. Yet even still, it demands multiple viewings. Its sophisticated ideology and philosophy will cause one to introvert and reflect on what influences their lives and the expansively possible consequences of their choices, as well as the differences they can make. The Cloud Atlas universe is one full of mystery and wonder, and it takes viewers on a spectacular journey as the plot evolves. There is so much depth here that it appeals to a broad audience as each subplot emphasizes its own genres. The film's cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, and the Academy Award has already been won by the makeup department for their astonishing transformations of the actors, who embody roles of differing race, sex, and ethnicity. Cloud Atlas is a true work of art, a moving, profoundly entertaining cinematic accomplishment, and a standout movie of the decade. It has the power to deeply, psychologically affect its viewers, and its ideas and notions could reverberate for years to come.