Like a clumsy, bloated version of "The Fountain"

Rating: 5/10 (24 June 2013)

If you're going to tell a story about how actions and intent ripples through centuries and across the universe, you need a deft and subtle hand, which I don't think is something the Wachowski's can list in their strong suits.
In "The Fountain", Darren Aronofsky achieved this with astonishing success - creating a masterpiece that stands strong on first time viewing and only gets richer and more complex with each viewing. I'd recommend you watch that instead of Cloud Atlas. It's cleaner, smarter, and far more touching.
By comparison, if I had to describe Cloud Atlas in just two words, all I could really think of would be "Clumsy" and "Bloated". It's certainly spectacular, in both vfx and makeup, and it has enough high points (usually involving Jim Broadbent) to not make it a complete waste of time at all. But considering its grand ambitions and theme it just didn't have the toolbox to pull off the job.