Cloud Atlas

Seen 6 March, 2013 at Chadstone Hoyts

  Our lives are not our own. From womb to tomb, we are bound to others. Past and present. And by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.  

Overview:
The movie tells the interwoven stories of six timelines - from the 1800s into the future after some apocalyptic event.

In each time there are the oppressed and the oppressors - from the slave trade in the 1800s, to the oppression of the oil companies in the 1970s, to the oppression of the elderly in 2012.

This theme continues into the future, where humanity has divided into the purebloods - people that are born, and people that are created - the fabricants. Those that are created rule over those that are fabricated.

Finally, in the distant future, after some apocalyptic event brought about the fall of that civilisation there are two tribes living on an island, one tribe is peaceful, the other is violent. There is also another group of technically advanced people that live elsewhere. The violent oppress the peaceful and the technologically advanced do not interfere.

Some of the characters change each incarnation - they may be greedy and horrible in one, and nice in another, and other characters remain the same - either good or bad.

 It becomes apparent that everyone in each story and each timeline is interconnected, and what has happened in the past impacts on the distant future. Each timeline has hope even amongst tragedy.
 

Thoughts:

Cloud Atlas should be nominated for best costume design next year at a minimum. It is a beautiful film, but the storyline leaves you going "What was that actually about?". IS it about reincarnation? The apparently futile hope that humanity might actually change for the better one day?

 I think it wil be one of those films that everyone interprets differently and that you take something different out of it each time you watch it.

There are many recurring themes and much symbolism throughout.

 It is neither a positive or negative film, but one that leaves you questioning where humanity as a whole is heading.

Without revealing more of the storyline, or what happens in the movie, I will say this, it is a movie I would recommend seeing.

It is beautiful, the visual effects and costuming is brilliant. The acting is good.

There is humour, love and laughter, amongst sorrow, violence and death.

Cloud Atlas is a long movie, so be warned.

 Overall Rating:
7.5/10