Genre: Sci-Fi | Drama | Mystery

Directors:  Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Writers: Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski and David Mitchell (for the novel Cloud Atlas)

MPAA Rating: R

Run Time: 172 minutes

Summary:

From acclaimed filmmakers Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, and Andy Wachowski, the powerful and inspiring epic drama “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 dramatically 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.

Teaser Trailer: Cloud Atlas – Own it on Digital Download April 30th
[youtube]http://youtu.be/DGHWzkAD8sE[/youtube]

Cloud Atlas completely escaped me when it was in theaters, not because it didn’t look good when I saw the trailers, but mostly because I had really wanted to read the book first. I still haven’t read the book and this may be one of those really rare cases where I’m glad.

The first time I turned Cloud Atlas on, it was a Saturday and the kids were running in and out of the room and my husband and I were both playing on iPads not really paying attention and it wasn’t 5 minutes before we had to turn it off because we had no idea what was going on. The next time I turned it on, I decided to give it my full attention and really lock in.

This is one of those movies that commands your attention. It is absolutely necessary that you rid yourself of distractions and make sure you have time to dedicate to this movie. It might not be for everyone for that reason, but this movie is such a technical masterpiece that it really deserves to be seen.

To say that it is an “epic drama” would be most fitting. I can’t even say that I absorbed everything this movie has to offer in my one sitting. The movie is made up of 6 separate stories that unfold simultaneously. Each one is so engaging that it could easily have been its own movie, but the way that stories effect one another, though separated by centuries, is what makes this movie awesome.

It isn’t just the story that commands your attention. You will easily find yourself completely absorbed in the beauty of the times created. So much attention to detail went into each and every time period represented. From the sets, to the costumes to the make-up, this movie thought of everything.

Speaking of make-up, if you haven’t already guessed from the trailer or photos, the all star cast including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, Keith David, James D’Arcy, Xun Zhou, David Gyasi and Susan Sarandon play anywhere from 3 to 7 different roles in the movie. Let me just repeat that for clarity and throw in some capital letters. They played 3 TO 7 DIFFERENT ROLES EACH. It’s positively mind boggling. What an amazing experience for these actors.

This movie is not only spellbinding in story and fantastic acting, it’s a directorial feat. Three directors divided the 6 stories amongst themselves and had two directorial teams of Lana and Andy Wachowski and then Tom Tykwer. Each team got three stories to shoot with two separate production teams. This sounds equally astounding and nightmarish because several of the actors would need to be a part of both teams. I’m sure “Cloud Atlas Logistics” is looking really good on someone’s resume.

The editing between the directors and timelines and stories is positively seamless and at times just magical. I have had movies where bad editing has ruined it for me, but this one actually stopped me just long enough to marvel at the thought put into making the scenes flow so well together. The stories all accelerate and decelerate in perfect harmony, which would seem like an impossibility between two production and directorial teams.

I cannot wait to watch it again. I am certain that my single viewing didn’t even scratch the surface of what I will find upon watching it for the second and third times. It will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray May 14 and I would not hesitate to tell you to make this a part of your video collection.

The Blu-Ray Combo Pack features the film in hi-definition on Blu-Ray and in standard definition on DVD. Both the Blu-Ray Combo Pack and the single disc DVD include UltraViolet which allows consumers to download and instantly stream the standard definition theatrical version of the film to a wide range of devices including computers and compatible tablets, smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and Blu-Ray players.

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS
“Cloud Atlas” Blu-Ray Combo Pack contains the following special features:
A Film Like No Other
Everything is Connected
The Impossible Adaptation
The Essence of Acting
Spaceships, Slaves and Sextets
The Bold Science Fiction of Cloud Atlas
Eternal Recurrence: Love, Life, and Longing in Cloud Atlas

“Cloud Atlas” Standard Definition DVD contains the following special features:
A Film Like No Other

Technical Information – BLU-RAY
Format: AC-3, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 4.0), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Subtitles: Spanish, French, English
Region: All Regions
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1

Technical Information – DVD
Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Subtitles: French, Spanish
Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired: English
Region: Region 1

Some movies are entertaining and a good time, for sure, and some movies are really works of art. This movie is a work of art. It is beautiful and epic and a wonder of movie making. It’s a must-see, must-own.

I give Cloud Atlas Blu-Ray Combo Pack Five Out of Five Stars.

 

 

Cloud Atlas Blu-Ray Combo Pack is available for preorder now from Amazon; here’s the link:

[AMAZONPRODUCT=B00A8MGLAI]