A collection of short stories don't automatically make an epic film, especially when they're poorly linked

Rating: 6/10 (17 December 2013)

Three hours is a long time when you don't really know what the point's gonna be, and eventually what it was supposed to be.
Without spoilering, the anticipated twist that ought to fulfill the claim that "everything is connected" doesn't really connect much, except through a cinematic gimmick about storytelling (which I didn't really get until watching a few of the disc's extras afterwards). So much for the intertwined story, which wouldn't be so bad except trying to figure that out keeps you busy most of the movie.
Don't get me wrong, the various stories throughout time are entertaining and sometimes even intriguing, but I can't help feel some of them could've been any other story for all the same. Cloud Atlas wants to be an epos but is a collection of average quality short stories with high quality actors and CGI. It's not enough to grab the audience.
What I did really like is how every era not only has its own story, but also its own style. From classic drama to blaxploitation thriller to scifi action, and even a little bit of near-slapstick comedy somewhere! But still, three hours is a long time.