I’ve heard many critics call “Cloud Atlas” “one of the most ambitious films ever made,” and now that I’ve finally seen it, I can’t disagree.

This film is a behemoth. To even begin to describe the plot or characters would take numerous pages, so for brevity’s sake I will say only this: go see this movie. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. I guarantee it. All you really need to know is that it follows six completely different stories, taking place in six completely different time periods, and involves a plethora of completely different characters.

Actually, let me rephrase that. “Cloud Atlas” isn’t so much one film with six stories as it is six separate short films. I say this because each story utilizes a separate genre. In the span of three hours, we get an adventure at sea, two unlikely individuals as friends, a poignant love story between two men, a political noir about the energy crisis, a British comedy involving the escape from an old folks home, an intriguing and action-packed sci-fi revolution, and the metaphorical journey to one man’s understanding paralleled by his trek up a mountain. Yes, you read all of that right.

One aspect of  “Cloud Atlas” that is truly fascinating to see is how one actor will play a number of separate characters, none of which are ever entirely similar. Throughout the film, they switch personalities, motivations, moral standpoints, ages, and even race and gender. Sometimes one actor may be the central part of one story and then a simple cameo in the next. This may seem confusing, but the filmmakers pull it off astoundingly well with some of the best makeup effects I’ve seen in film. Stay for the credits – you’ll be shocked by what characters each actor portrays in the movie.

This is a film that needs to be talked about. Get a group of friends together, go see it, have a good time and then talk about it. Talk about everything. Talk about the characters, stories, effects, themes, and ambition. I could talk about all of this stuff myself, but that would be doing a disservice to the film. This movie thrives on how each individual views it and how those viewpoints can come together.

Seriously, there’s no better way I can put this. “Cloud Atlas” is so dense and carefully constructed there’s no way you can try to digest it all alone. There is always something someone else is going to take note of that didn’t even cross your mind, and it’s important to get every perspective you can. This isn’t a movie where you leave the theatre and forget about it the next day. It’s gonna cling to you, as all films should.

It’s a movie that defines why I love movies – they make the unimaginable happen right before our very eyes.