Time Passages

Rating: 10/10 (28 October 2012)

Individuals actions and decisions throughout the ages are strange things because it always seems to be the littlest things that lead up to something more and turn into something even more as time goes on. Is it really just free will or is it a higher purpose that guides us as if it was written in the stars. This is just one of the mysteries of life but also this move.
It's one of those films you really don't see every day, the film is practically a puzzle within a puzzle, it's one of those ones where you have to watch again just to uncover more. And I love those kinds of films because the enigma is part of what makes the film a rich experience.
The characters I think our great there are a lot of them because there are a lot of stories; their not the deepest characters but you do know enough to care about them and what they do knowing the decisions and actions they execute will lead to something. I liked the performances of the actors and actresses Tom Hanks, Hale Berry, Hugo Weving, Susan Surandon, and others, what was great about their performances was the fact in each of the stories they all played different characters which to me is a great but fun acting challenge and they all passed. From the different accents they had to execute but physically the different make up they all had to wear and the make up work is perfect in some of the other stories some of the actors are literally unrecognizable you really would think they were different people.
But most importantly I really love the story structure because it's something truly different. All of the stories are linear but there is a multitude of them, all in different settings and are told at once and not in any particular order or time. Each of them are connected and unconnected in a way, they also seem to be a Chex Mix of genres all to make a tasty snack. One story is a drama, another a suspense thriller, another some tomorrows world sci-fi, another a mix of both post apocalyptic and final frontier sci-fi, and any other genre or sub genre you can think of. There all about something and yet at the same time their not I'll leave it up to you to make your own conclusion about that but I think that's the point.
Two of my favorite ones no doubt are the two stories that take place in the future, what can I say I'm a sci-fi fan. One story which is a tomorrows world story is great I really love the production value that was put into that, most of that was CGI but it was used well and with great detail, it's a future obviously reminiscent of "Blade Runner". But what I liked in that story was the concept was really dark as we see it's a future that has completely sold out their free will, enviorment and morals toward consumerism, greed and gluttony. The technology in that story is fascinating the use of touch and hand motion screens and others things. I like the main character whom is sympathetic and out of her element as well and the significant other helping her, it's almost reminiscent of the sci-fi gem "The Fifth Element" which also had the same dynamic.
And the other which is the post apocalyptic/final frontier sci-fi story. Really like the look of the post apocalyptic world where it's looks and feels almost alien because of how different it is from the way people talk which is almost a Cajun like tone and certain customs. I like the chemistry between both Tom Hanks and Halle character, how conflicted in emotions both are, but also how both sort of represent they classic dynamic of nature and technology, old and new contemporary wisdom.
I've said enough, Cloud Atlas is a journey throughout the ages you never know where it begins but you don't want it to end.
Rating: 4 stars