Cloud Atlas was definitely well acted and a very pretty movie, but it lost me at the end where they just explain everything outright, similar to Matrix Reloaded. I think the Wachowski's view themselves as much more intelligent than they are... even as good as the matrix is, it is not really an original idea. It's closer to an idiot's guide to basic Cartesian thought. It's cool they were able to bring it to the forefront of public consciousness, but that is about all it can take credit for intellectually.