Cloud Atlas movie review

The trailer for Cloud Atlas has been playing non-stop on my Unifi television channels and it had me brainwashed intrigued by this movie. Obviously the advertisment worked. Thanks to Nuffnang, I was able to catch the premiere screening of Cloud Atlas at the new TGV cinema at One Utama.

Courtsey of Nuffnang

Gist
Based on a novel by David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas follows the lives of various characters in six different centuries and countries and observes how interrelated and connected a person can be in someone else's life in the past, present and future. It carries a cast of seasoned actors consisting of Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae and Ben Whishaw. These actors more or less are the main characters throughout the movie to look out for although their roles differ from storyline to storyline as they vary from main characters to supporting roles to protagonists to antagonists.

Verdict
The opening scene had me confused as it presented a montage for all the six storylines viewers will be about to dive into. The challenge there was to pinpoint the different storylines whilst remembering the main characters played by different actors. As it was a late-evening movie, my brain was aching from a headache from following the entire film.

The visual effects however were stunning as viewers are taken through six different worlds that consisted of interesting costumes, makeup, concepts and landscapes. The movie diverse in terms of genres as you have a mix of comedy, action, self-biography and most importantly, adventure. I was actually more fascinated with the numerous characters played by the actors. Some like Hugo Weaving made it a challenge to recognise them sometimes.

Hugo Weaving.

Mr. Weaving as usual, played diverse badass to the core regardless whether he was a man or a woman while Tom Hanks was brillant as a conflicted character that underwent a major character development throughout the movie. He certainly held my attention during his main story. Halle Berry's characters were.... predictable as it felt as though the movie was merely a cut and paste of all her previous movie roles. I found her plotline boring....

Jim Sturgess and Doona Bae were, for me, the two to look out for as they play characters attracted to one another but forced to put the bigger picture before them.

I was also thrilled to spot Zhou Xun in a minor but no less important role. I loved her performance as the demon fox in Painted Skin: Resurrection and she carried the same intensity over in her brief moments on Cloud Atlas.

Would I watch it again?
Maybe. Perhaps on a day when I am not tired and red-eyed from a lack of sleep. Halfway though the movie, I found myself wishing for the end...which came only after 45 minutes. Some of the storylines were interesting and fast-paced, others slow. It was like watching six mini movies or TV series in one and it can be mentally taxing. I can see why Cloud Altas got a polarized reaction from critics....Not advisable to watch if you're tired or have the attention span of a puppy.

Cloud Atlas hits the big screen on 21 Feb 2013.