Enthused Thursday: Cloud Atlas

     When the Wachowski's The Matrix debuted in theaters, it compelled and confused it's audience, and many knew right away it would become a film that would redefine how movies are made, as well as how they are seen. Fast forward thirteen years, and they are at it again, this time in a film that spans centuries. That film is Cloud Atlas, which, from it's extended new trailer, looks to be intensely puzzling and mystifying, even more so than that of the Wachowski's first masterpiece. I talk about why I think Cloud Atlas could be the next great piece of cinema, after the jump.
     There is no easy way to explain the premise of Cloud Atlas, as one isn't exactly given. Thankfully the trailer is rather mysterious, only showcasing themes of the film, and hinting at possible plots. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if seeing the actually film perplexes me as much as the extended trailer does at this point. This is simply because the film looks to be one that will take more than a single viewing to completely capture and comprehend. 
     Cloud Atlas is a tale of love, hope, fate, destiny, and human connection. From a few viewings of the trailer, it's obvious the film will be epic in it's scope, spanning centuries and ages, defying the boundaries of life and death between characters. It looks to be about our lives and our dreams, the way we connect, and how one small deed can change everything. I extremely enjoy films that try and explain the complexity of human emotion and relations, and I think they make for some of the best and most gratifying movies. 
     Besides the fantastical nature of the plot, the landscapes and visual effects seem to be more than capable of supporting the vivid story. CGI, visual effects, and all have come a long way since The Matrix, and I'm sure the Wachowskis will make extremely good use of the new tech, and some teases of action in the trailer seem breathtaking already. 
     There is also an extremely diverse group of talent in the film, which should make it amazing. Each actor or actress in the film seems to be taking on many different roles, different in age, ethnicity, and gender. This will make the film a spectacle not only in it's plot, but also in the careful way the casting has been handled, and the way the film is acted. The cast of characters in Cloud Atlas will be acted by Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, Ben Whishaw, and a whole slew of other fantastic personalities. If all of these wildly exciting ideas come together in Cloud Atlas, it will truly be something to behold. Keep your eye out for this one ladies and gents.