Ambitious, difficult, but fascinating

Rating: 8/10 (25 December 2012)

Cloud Atlas is certainly the most ambitious movie of the year, with dual directors (the Wachowskis and Tom Tywker both shot all scenes dually), six time lines, actors in six roles and nearing three hours. I still cannot entirely describe what the movie was about, but nonetheless Cloud Atlas is an impressive ride for its entire length. And while the story is difficult to follow, it hardly is a failure: Cloud Atlas sucks you in anyway. And I suspect another watch will clear up things. The cast is all-round impressive. The make-up even more, with actors turning into hardly recognizable character, sometimes changing gender or race. Hugo Weaving is a scene-stealer. Tom Hanks and Hugh Grant are surprisingly versatile as well. For now a 7, quite possibly an 8 on re-watch.