A groundbreaking epic that is both entertaining and cerebral..!

Rating: 10/10 (13 February 2013)

A potent combination of top-notched directors (Matrix, Run Lola Run), star-studded cast (Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Zhou Xun, Hugo Weaving, Hugh Grant) and USD100 million results in an illuminating epic; with dazzling and sweeping visuals spanning space-time. SUPERB...
The main storyboard (adapted from award-winning novel by British author David Mitchell) is about Kamma / Karma (action and reaction aka cause and effect) and the process of rebirth, illustrated by the lives of six individuals. The Old Georgie character well played by Hugo Weaving becomes increasingly degenerate through his own actions in different births, causing his woeful (mara-like) state by the end of the movie. In stark contrast, the character played by the ever-lovable Tom Hanks, gradually transforms from a murderous doctor, to become a noble man, during the process of becoming (rebirths) through making the right choices at each pivotal juncture in his lives.
The movie also makes a point that no one is permanent in his / her identity or 'self', as the character played by co-star Halle Berry switches from a highly talented and sentimental homosexual man to rebirths as different female persons during the cycles of life and death i.e. the Dhamma / Dharma principle of Anatta (non-self / insubstantiality). Apart from gender identity, racial identity is also an illusory aspect of the 'self', showcased by Jim Sturgess (alternating between Caucasian and Asian rebirths e.g. Adam Ewing, Megan's dad and Hae-Joo Chang) and Zhou Xun (hotel manager Talbot, Yoona-939 and Rose).
To truly appreciate the extent of care and effort the directors have dedicated themselves to accurately portray the natural laws of rebirth, action and reaction and insubstantiality in a cinematic setting, it is useful for the movie viewer to be familiar with the published works of Professor Ian Stevenson (University of Virginia, School of Medicine, USA), Newton's Third Law (physics) and quantum research into subatomic particles (muon, tau, energy as heat, light, electro-magnetism, electricity and so on).
In case all these sound too cerebral, I must add that Cloud Atlas delivers the same high octane level of entertainment and excitement as the box office hits - Matrix Trilogy and Run Lola Run, which are also iconic films by the directors of Cloud Atlas.