Movie Review: Cloud Atlas

A quick overview of the 6 stories. In the 19th century, an American lawyer in the Pacific islands befriends a runaway slave, unaware that his doctor is trying to poison him. In the 1930s, a bisexual musician seeks to restore his reputation by getting a job as amanuensis to an ageing composer. In the 70s, a female reporter unfold a conspiracy involving a nuclear power station. In the present day, a fugitive publisher finds himself in a nightmarish nursing home. In the 22nd century, in the urban conurbation of Neo Seoul, ‘Sonmi-451’is a clone (or Fabricant) genetically designed to do lifetime Mcdonald job. Finally, far in the future – “after the Fall” – humanity has regressed, both in language and civilisation, but the visit of a beautiful Prescient offers hope.

 

What I like the most is that the actors play multiple characters in the stories and I am really impressed by the make up and prosthetic designers who are no other than Jeremy Woodhead ( Lord of the Rings, V for Vendetta & The Mummy) and Daniel Parker (The Hurt Locker, Apocalypto & The Last Samurai).Stay till to the closing credit of the movie and you will be surprised by the number of roles each actor played in the show. Actors including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant and famous Chinese actress Zhou Xun making a cameo.

I can summarize the entire movie into one word – “Connection”.  The show illustrates how 6 seemingly unrelated stories linking to one another. It is entirely different cinematic experience. It is like you are time-traveling from one time space to another. Some people might find it confusing. However, I think the directors The Wachowskis and  Tom Tykwer have executed well in helping the audience to follow the story through different costumes, actions and backdrops.

 

Overall, I give the movie 3 stars out of 4. Thanks Golden Village for inviting me to the screening!