Cloud Atlas, an editing masterclass

[Bruce Watson]

It's been literally at least one and more likely two decades, since I saw a film that edged its way into my personal top 10 list. Cloud Atlas did just that.

I've been editing a lot of film this year, so I'm more sensitive to editing than normal. And I've got to say, Cloud Atlas is a frellin' master class in film editing. If there's any justice at all, Cloud Atlas gets Oscars for both screenplay and editing. At the very least.

I hear and read people saying that it's too difficult a film -- too hard to understand. Poppycock! People just want it to be a summer blockbuster, and it's not. At all. This film just escews conventional continuity, and makes it work. Only film can do this, and only in the hands of master film makers. This, is art. And it's art for adults. This film is *not* aimed at 14 year old boys.

The way to watch it, is to sit back, open your mind, and let the film come to you. If you try to fully understand it as it goes, you'll fail and be frustrated as a result. If you let the film do the work, full understanding will come at the end.

Don't believe me, that's OK. But there's 14+K viewers on IMDB giving it a steady 8.3.

I urge anyone to see this film in a theater. The full screen effect is stunning. And anyone interested in film, from script writers to DPs to editors should see this film. The Wachowskis and Tykwer are masters at the height of their powers, and they've build a masterwork. Go see it!

 

[VMT]

Haven't seen Cloud Atlas yet, so can't comment. But if it's the "non-chronological" type of editing, that is, creating non-linear events, then I wouldn't be too interested. All too common and imitated.

A bit non-mainstream, non-Hollywood so many are probably not aware of Wong Kar Wai's use of editing, but the editing of his films has really impressed me. Check out Ashes of Time and In the Mood for Love for examples. I'd say he's one of the few directors effectively relying on editing and the decisions made during post to advance narrative and story, even the characters. I read that he doesn't use scripts, often creating scenes during the day of shooting, re-shoots frequently even years later, and goes through many re-edits. Hollywood can't afford that, even with their billion dollar budgets.

 

[Egg Born Son]

It's been literally at least one and more likely two decades, since I saw a film that edged its way into my personal top 10 list. Cloud Atlas did just that.

I've been editing a lot of film this year, so I'm more sensitive to editing than normal. And I've got to say, Cloud Atlas is a frellin' master class in film editing. If there's any justice at all, Cloud Atlas gets Oscars for both screenplay and editing. At the very least.

I hear and read people saying that it's too difficult a film -- too hard to understand. Poppycock! People just want it to be a summer blockbuster, and it's not. At all. This film just escews conventional continuity, and makes it work. Only film can do this, and only in the hands of master film makers. This, is art. And it's art for adults. This film is *not* aimed at 14 year old boys.

The way to watch it, is to sit back, open your mind, and let the film come to you. If you try to fully understand it as it goes, you'll fail and be frustrated as a result. If you let the film do the work, full understanding will come at the end.

Don't believe me, that's OK. But there's 14+K viewers on IMDB giving it a steady 8.3.

I urge anyone to see this film in a theater. The full screen effect is stunning. And anyone interested in film, from script writers to DPs to editors should see this film. The Wachowskis and Tykwer are masters at the height of their powers, and they've build a masterwork. Go see it!

I agree with every word. A masterpiece.

 

[simonpwood]

I'm not sure I was convinced by some of the make-up effects (specifically when they tried to make Westerners into Koreans and vide-versa), but other than that.........a masterpiece.