What's your take on the movie Cloud Atlas?

I just (finally) watched Cloud Atlas and I’m in the “didn’t like it” camp. It seems that most folks either loved it or hated it.

I found some of the casting bizarre (Hugh Grant as a cannibal warrior?!?) and the makeup/facial prosthetics distracting and unconvincing.

I get the idea of small acts creating huge alterations in the timeline, the reincarnation and interaction of characters…I just found it over-reaching and overwrought.

I didn’t read the book, so I don’t know if that would’ve had a negative, positive, or neutral impact on my perception of the movie.

What about you? What did you think?