It’s nice to see Shout! Studios, a Radial company, delve into studio catalogs without needing to peg it to an anniversary. I saw Cloud Atlas at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, and just missed the Wachowskis at Fantastic Fest but got them, Tom Tykwer and the cast at the film’s junket. They sat down and spoke with groups of press in roundtables back then.
Alas, it wasn’t enough to get millions of people into theaters 13 years ago, but then Cloud Atlas rewards depth over time, not instant gratification. This 4K UHD release gives people a chance to revisit it over the holidays.
The feature film itself has updated credits to credit Lana’s sister as Lilly Wachowski. Not even The Matrix has updated their pronouns. Archival bonus features still show Lily pre-transition and old credit but at least we know those were made in 2012.
Cloud Atlas is really six different movies in 4K. The distant future campfire emits embers in the pure night sky. Bright beach waves break in the past daylight. The black suits and tophats stay deep in the plantation heat. The bright colored New Seoul is the most sci-fi landscape, a green screen confection.
All of the stories include some deep 4K shadow, like below deck on the ship, Sonmi (Doona Bae) kept in a cell, and Louisa Ray (Halle Berry)’s car sinking in the depths. The mountains are like a National Geographic documentary.
Surround sound kicks in for sci-fi shooting. The plane explosion and ocean waves also fill the room. The satellite laser shoots past you and the horses rumble in the finale.
The new two hour documentray got almost everybody. Zoom seems to have facilitated it, but it is a testament that the filmmakers and cast care enough to be involved. Much of it is about the process of reaching out to everybody, which is a bit cute, but relevant 13 years later, and there’s time for it. They do discuss accusations of cultural appropriation with some of the makeup, but those scenes aren’t exactly the modern day anyway so it is justified.