Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas

2012
A set of six nested stories spanning time between the 19th century and a distant post-apocalyptic future. Cloud Atlas explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future. Based on the award winning novel by David Mitchell. Directed by Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis.
Ratings:
Brad Score: 6.5/10
Internet Score: 6.9/10
Director:
Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, Tom Tykwer
Cast:
Keith David, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, James D'Arcy, Ben Whishaw, Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Sturgess, Bae Doona, Zhou Xun
Genres:
Drama Science Fiction

My notes

Based on when this was released, I suspect that this was my first viewing of this in HD.

It's a relatively pretty film, not as visually interesting as either the original Matrix or Speed Racer, but a solid showing. Some of the CGI and makeup work doesn't hold up in the 4k transfer, but it was made in that awkward age of the early teens.

The plotting and pacing is cleverly lined up - I don't know how much of that is inherited from the source novel versus the film makers - but each of the plots are relatively simple making this tale of reincarnation relatively easy to follow.

And the story itself is emotionally effective, if not a little sentimental. But the message about struggling to make a better world against a Greek chorus that says change can't be made - well, if you're going to get sentimental about something, I suppose that's a good one to get sentimental about.

Watched Dec. 31, 2025 via UHD — rated 6.5/10