Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas

     If The MatrixT, Forrest Gump and 2001 A Space Odyssey were combined into a movie Cloud Atlas would be the product that you would get. It is unfair of me to deny the originality that exists in this film and as such in my opinion this is the defining science fiction film of it's era. Having so many different narratives unfold over the course of an almost three hour movie is pretty much an impossible feat to pull off and yet somehow all of the stories do connect and relate to each other in both abstract and concrete ways. A lot of people hated this film and I can understand why. The narrative structure places great demands on the viewer to try to connect the different stories together and it is very hard to decipher at what point in time each of these events is taking place. As such this makes the film rather unique. 

     

     Additionally, this film deals with some serious philosophical and moral issues that do connect across generations. Such key concepts that are brought up throughout the film are why humans never seem to rid themselves of such horrendous institutions such as slavery. How rigid class systems always seem to instill their will upon society. How religion is too often a tool that is used for manipulation instead of it's intended purpose. It also examines how wealth produces greed which in many ways can have much longer repercussions for people then they might initially realize. Their are tales of personal responsibility, and quests for social justice found throughout almost every segment of this film. There are so many more issues within this film add well that this film demands multiple viewings which again is against the standard norm of Hollywood movies.

    

     This film does what the very best of science fiction can and always does. That is it makes question our basic essence as a species and makes us examine the future. Are we going to evolve as a species that deserves to survive and can we be a species that can achieve things that no other species could even safe to dream or are we doomed to fall into our animalistic natures and simply destroy each other. Lastly, this film takes a much more substantive and in depth look at Hinduism and the idea of Karma. The idea being that everyone lives multiple lives and that a person is either rewarded or punished in their next life based on their actions in the previous one. Part of my disappointment with the movie The Life of Pi was that it had a chance to examine Hinduism and other world religions in much greater depth then it attempted to do but instead choose to champion Christianity as the only true religion as so many movies tend to do in Hollywood. 

     

     This is why it becomes problematic for American audiences to understand different viewpoints because they are never presented with alternatives to their standard way of thinking. So while I think Christianity can be a beautiful religion it is just wonderful to see a hollywood film attempt to teach us about one of the worlds most popular religions and prevent the American public with an insight into the idea of Karma. This film also has a great message of redemption that certainly is one of the key concepts of any of the major religions. Tom Hanks plays multiple characters throughout the film and he starts out as an exceptionally cruel and vile human being. Yet throughout his multiple lives he is eventually able to become a better person and it is in that where a great hope lies for all of us. 

     

     The idea that we can transcend our surroundings and become better then what we are is a truly wonderful concept and this film executed it beautifully. Cloud Atlas is an exceptional film and I would dare anyone to try and deny the sheer technological wonder of it. This is a film for the ages!  

Written ByMatthew Giordano