Thanks for checking out our Inception Review
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Staring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellan Page, Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe
Released: July 16th 2010
THE GENERAL IDEA
Dom Cobb is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb’s rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved.
Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible: inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime.
THE GOOD
The Actors. Most importantly I want to address the less obvious. Of course DiCaprio and Gordon-Levitt hit it out of the park but dare I say I was more impressed with Ellen Page. This movie is VERY deep and we are introduced to this completely foreign concept by the introduction of the Rookie. As things are explained to her, they are explained to us. She is SO GOOD in this movie. Love her. Not a shred of her snarky emogirl persona is here.
Then we layer that with the core of the movie and Leo doesn’t do all the heavy lifting. The mix of Tom Hardy, Joseph Godeon-Levitt and Michael Caine (small but effective role) topped off with a less creepy Cillian Murphy all effortlessly carry this movie.
We expected from the trailers for the visuals to be tastey, but those were appetizers. Honestly there is a zero-gravity scene and it blew my mind. Incredible.
And then there is the plot. Its not just a story. This is a carefully crafted masterpeice of thematic elements woven together to make a story. Everyone has a purpose, and no one is throwaway. They all matter even though the story is all about Cobb. Its a hard balance to accomplish, and Nolan has never been afraid to get into story and he didn’t hold back here either. This movie is a masterpiece of storytelling.
THE BAD
There is a LOT of explaining going on. This is some serious character driven dialogue heavy storytelling. Its done well but there is a LOT to absorb. As I was leaving the theater there were people raving while others were dumbfounded. I imagine repeat viewings of this movie will reveal even more about the story that I missed because there is a LOT going on, and its all deep. (that might actually be a good part)
This may be too much for some viewers who thought this was just going to be a popcorn visual effects film. So while I had no problem with this depth its fair warning not to take the film lightly. You have to be awake and ready to take in the film, not just watch it.
OVERALL
Go into the theater execting a cerebral film that dishes heavy helpings of the human condition and you wont be disappointed. The visuals there make this heavy film that much more amazing to take in.
All I have to say is that I don’t mind that he put aside Batman 3 to take time to make this. I don’t know if Nolan will ever top this film. He just made his own shoes even bigger ones to fill.
I give Inception a 10 out of 10
