MOVIE REVIEW - Cloud Atlas

Did you ever notice that everyone always seems to say, "Are you going to the new Tom Hanks movie?"  And the new "Tom Hanks" movie is, Cloud Atlas.

CA is one of the most unusual movies you will ever see, at any time.  This movie also stars Susan Sarandon, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant and a real strong supporting cast.   Plenty of star power, and plenty of budget to go around.   But if you are hoping to go into a movie to see a story that is easy to follow and understand.  You may be going to the wrong movie.  

I call CA a movie-goers movie.  Meaning if you go to the movies once or twice a year, this may not be for you.  This is very long, very strange, and not easily followed.   This is for fans who like to talk and dissect movies for what could be hours over coffee long after this is over.  If in fact it ever does end.

This is far too complicated to be explained effectively here, but in short here goes.   This is a move that attempts to make a case that over the years, everything, and everyone is connected in some way.  And that no matter time period, the same human struggles ensue, basically good versus evil, and to love and choosing not to love.  Part of this story take place as far back as 1839, and as far forward as hundreds, if not thousands of years in the future. All of our stars and some supporting cast play multiple characters that are loosely based on each other.   All of them play at least one character from many different periods.   Hanks plays the most, and he is terrific in them all. Very challenging and very well done.

This is the kind of movie that Hollywood loves to make, and moreover loves to pat itself on the back over.   The hair, make-up and costuming in this movie is fantastic.  They really make all of our stars really look different in all of the parts they play.   Sets on this move are also incredible, as you are transported successfully through time.   This also an action movie at times, with great effects mostly computer generated, but still stunning to see.  No doubt this was amazingly challenging movie making and a huge undertaking.  I have no idea where they would begin.

But with all of that said, the fact that this is three hours long and is tough to follow makes it difficult for modern movie goers. When this is over, you do have the sense you've just seen something big and incredible, you just not be sure what it was.  Word to the wise too, if you have to step out for the theater for 5 minutes for a bathroom break or something, just keep going. There is no way you can catch up on what you've missed and you'll be lost. Not even asking your friend that you left behind will help.

Also, the budget has to be astounding to make this movie.  A financially bleak opening weekend has  virtually guaranteed this will be one of the biggest flops of this year or any year.

Cloud Atlas.  This just might be a bit too much of a story to tell.  I'm not sure that there will be that many that will invest the time, or the payoff.