Cloud Atlas
Spanning generations, lifetimes, and centuries, Cloud Atlas is the mind bending existential tour of how we’re all connected from one life to the next; how the decisions we make in the present are based on previous experience from past lives and how our decisions also impact our future selves. Exploring the concept of the shaping of a soul or the collective consciousness this multi layered story takes a glimpse at a handful of souls in their various states of progress. 
Told in analepsis and prolepsis (flashback and flashforward) the film is a product of two directing teams, Lana and Andy Wachowski, and Tom Tykwer, edited together to illustrate the journeys of characters portrayed by Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant, David Gyasi, Doona Bae, and the list goes on. The ensemble gets reasonably high marks, showcasing their depth and range. With distinctive Wachowski religious and scientific overtones the film does hit the ground running without regard to the audience’s speed, this admittedly takes some acclimation, but once up to speed the overall ride is a thriller and will no doubt call for multiple viewings to catch all the connections being made. Yet, more than just a thriller, this nearly three hour epic mixes adventure, comedy, romance, sci-fi, and drama to satisfy all who are up for the challenge. Furthermore, on first viewing half of the fun is playing the “who’s that actor” game, costume and makeup get A+ grades this go around, sticking through the credits helps to cement this further. Worth your attention this weekend. Cloud Atlas is rated R.