Cloud Atlas (15)

Tom Hanks Whenever he's in a show, it should be titled all about Tom Hanks. Messes up a good book. Done the same thing in Polar Express. What an. .

An entertaining roller coaster from beginning to end that attempts to paint a much bigger picture of life than the usual run of the mill cinema fodder. The underlying theme will challengethe cherished assumptions of some and ask them to' think outside the box' or even, as reviewers have recommended, suspend the thinking process until the film has finished. Yes, some critics have panned it while others have given it the thumbs up and a hearty nod of approval. There are several messages intertwined in this film, from karmic accountability in a succession of lives (reincarnation) to the conviction that only the individuals who CAN think outside the box are able to bring about a sea change of opinion and bring about change. This film will almost certainly become a cult classic, not least because it breaks with convention on many levels. Just go and see it!

An interesting curiosity. Not sure the whole thing comes off but I applaud the intent.

This is what cinema is all about. A wonderful and oddly meaningful journey imbued with complete and absolute cinematic passion. Brilliant.

To the reviewers please stop writing such long winded reviews..No body is reading them

I see that professional reviews tend to be polarised for this film, I am firmly on the thumbs up side and despair at the lack of consistency with recent film reviews. If we take Django for instance there seems to be a now habitual response for some hacks to cream themselves with regard to other movie references in a Tarantino film. I don't see the point in boosting a film purely on that aspect but if, in hack-land, that is the way things work then surely they should be gushing over Cloud Atlas. I noted Matrix (no surprise there), Bladerunner, Soylent Green, POTC and Bullitt (no money left in the budget to tape over those red tail stripes?) plus any others that I missed. As regarding provoking thought on slavery Cloud Atlas stomps all over Django and Lincoln given that it covers multiple forms. I agree that Hank's voice is not that convincing as Dermott Hoggins, nor was Weaving's remaining stubble as Nurse Noakes but I reckon that playing out of character must have been an attraction for several of the cast. Agreed that Sturgess's asian makeup looks odd but it does not ruin things and I admit to being fooled by Ms Berry's european look for quite a while. I have not read the book but, since viewing the film, have spoken to someone who has. If I understand correctly the 2144 Korean section (which is the core element) has been stripped down, there is no thrust regarding the fingertip chip, the need to be a consumer or the 1984 style entrapment/double-cross but this certainly is my favorite part of the film. Full credit to the set designer, digital artists and animators, the exterior views are exceptional. If you simply cannot abide a film that switches thread then I suggest you avoid it purely because of that limitation but everyone else should give it a try, go no provoke some thoughts and discuss later. I reckon that it is the best film on UK screens so far this year and probably for the last 12 months. I won't guarantee that you will like it but I'd suggest that those that are disappointed simply have NeO SeOUL.

I see that professional reviews tend to be polarised for this film, I am firmly on the thumbs up side and despair at the lack of consistency with recent film reviews. If we take Django for instance there seems to be a now habitual response for some hacks to cream themselves with regard to other movie references in a Tarantino film. I don't see the point in boosting a film purely on that aspect but if, in hack-land, that is the way things work then surely they should be gushing over Cloud Atlas. I noted Matrix (no surprise there), Bladerunner, Soylent Green, POTC and Bullitt (no money left in the budget to tape over those red tail stripes?) plus any others that I missed. As regarding provoking thought on slavery Cloud Atlas stomps all over Django and Lincoln given that it covers multiple forms. I agree that Hank's voice is not that convincing as Dermott Hoggins, nor was Weaving's remaining stubble as Nurse Noakes but I reckon that playing out of character must have been an attraction for several of the cast. Agreed that Sturgess's asian makeup looks odd but it does not ruin things and I admit to being fooled by Ms Berry's european look for quite a while. I have not read the book but, since viewing the film, have spoken to someone who has. If I understand correctly the 2144 Korean section (which is the core element) has been stripped down, there is no thrust regarding the fingertip chip, the need to be a consumer or the 1984 style entrapment/double-cross but this certainly is my favorite part of the film. Full credit to the set designer, digital artists and animators, the exterior views are exceptional. If you simply cannot abide a film that switches thread then I suggest you avoid it purely because of that limitation but everyone else should give it a try, go no provoke some thoughts and discuss later. I reckon that it is the best film on UK screens so far this year and probably for the last 12 months. I won't guarantee that you will like it but I'd suggest that those that are disappointed simply have NeO SeOUL.

I watched cloud atlas this evening and was so affected by it that I felt compelled to write a review. This film is an epic, audacious and thoroughly mesmerising journey through time and covers complex and broad themes with each included frame of this 172min behemoth adding another layer to the story that preceded it. This film has been divisive, and it is not without fault. Yes, occasionally the make up fails, or an accent is out of place (I'm looking at you thug Tom Hanks) but these are forgivable as they occur in minor characters without much screen The quality of the acting in central characters, overarching vision and sheer ambition of this film is staggering. I challenge you to see this film and draw your own conclusions. At worst you'll see six films for the price of one ticket and will have fun trying to spot the Hanks etc. At best however this film will change your conceptions on the possibilities of film as an art form and very possibly your outlook on life.

I should have said: "Preachy fluff."

Preachy.