DeniReview: Inception (2010)
July 19th 2010 09:49
Rating: ***** out of 5 (5/5)
According to one article I read, director Christopher Nolan was secretive and highly selective regarding information released about Inception because "he didn't want the audience to be spoiled before they headed into the theater". He needn't have worried - this film is so intelligent and clever that I can tell you anything about the story and it would be completely meaningless to you. I couldn't even begin to explain how the plot moves without having to explain the various ripple effects involved, which would further complicate explaining the story. It's a movie filled with layers of exposition, all of which are critical to peforming a seemingly simple task.
Inception is a rollercoaster ride of visual artistry and emotional edginess complete with a nail-biting climactic ending. Constructing a high concept action movie whilst giving equal attention to character development is difficult to juggle - one of the two will typically be compromised. However Nolan, as the story goes, worked on the script for
10 years, which gives us some indication of the careful thought and attention to detail involved in a plot engineered specifically to involve its audience in its own evolution. As a result, this movie is focused on the process, while also balancing the right amount of emotional involvement to specific characters important to the story.
Leonardo DiCaprio gives a brilliant turn as Dom Cobb. We can rightfully assume the world of Inception is sometime in the not-so-distant future where technology has advanced to the next level, resulting in the emergence of a new criminal. Dom Cobb is a corporate thief who steals ideas from people while they dream, a tactic known as extraction. While the job seems easy, it's not without major
risks, which I'll identify. However the bar is raised when mysterious businessman Saito (Ken Watanabe) hires Cobb to deposit an idea, rather than steal information - "inception".
The target is Robert Fischer, Jr. (Cillian Murphy), who just inherited his father's corporate empire. Cobb is also a man without a country, escaping extradition to the States on murder charges, banished from seeing his children. Like the plot, Cobb's life is affected by layered ripples stemming from the death of his wife Mal (Marion Coutillard). If Cobb is successful, Saito will use his influence to clear Cobb of all charges so he can return home. Cobb needs a reliable team for his mission. He already has his right-hand man and business associate responsible for researching each target, Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Next recruited are Eames (Tom Hardy), a master at shifting identities, Ariadne (Ellen Page), an architect in training, and Yusuf (Dileep Rao), a chemist. All balk at the new proposition, since in order to deposit the idea they must probe dangerously deeper into their target's subconscious. However, the opportunity for Dom to find some peace far outweighs any thought of possible failure.
Ellen Page is charming as Ariadne. She's a new kid on the block, a deep thinker, a young woman of great intellectual curiosity. As the only living female lead, her emotional radar and inquisitiveness along with her objectivity as a newcomer allow for her to piece together the complexities of Dom's unsettling relationship with his wife, which is putting their mission in jeopardy. It's only fitting that while Cobb teaches Ariadne the multi-complexities of dream infiltration, the
audience learns along with her - we need her impartiality for balance.
Under Cobb's tutelage of Ariadne, Nolan takes the audience deeper into the mysteries of the dream world, unlocking dreams and their many entanglements governed by sub-conscious rules of law, knoweldge of which is needed in order to access, control, manipulate, and deceive. There are many blurred lines between where dreams begin and realities end, how to detect what's real and what's a dream, not to mention limbo,what happens when you die in dreams, and how to escape from a dream to wakefulness. In creating these magical worlds that defy all logic and reason, Nolan balances the use of CGI and old-school SPX techniques to perfection. He's smart enough not to overdose his audience with CGI, and only pulls out the big guns when creating on a grand scale. We see majestic worlds and surreal fortresses,
crumbling cities, rolling architecture, high skyscrapers, and imploding matter. It's a spectacular achievement, and Nolan has proved himself to be a true visionary.
Naturally, as with all matters involved with the mysteries of the brain and subconscious, there are other elements incongruent with the mission - forces beyond all control. There are unresolved personal issues that become stumbling blocks, and defense mechanisms of the targeted mark, similar to anti-bodies. These are manifested in the form of skilled gunman and highly trained body guards. These plot devices lead to many of the movie's most exciting chase scenes, and keep the energy flowing. Cobb's personal threat is his wife, Mal, who often shows up in his dream heists to oppose him. Her presence stems from his unresolved guilt at causing her demise, and his separation from his children.
I've read a few reviews from top critics who complain about the character development, which is ridiculous. There are two character types in this movie, those who help the plot progress and those who are part of the plot. In a movie of this magnitude which still succeeds at balance, it is not
possible to inundate the story with focus on characters without a backstory related to the plot. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is exceptional as Arthur, confident and skilled in his profession - he loves the job and is good at what he does, but he doesn't have the objectivity and balance Ariadne provides. Tom Hardy is great as Eames, who gives us comic relief, and Marion Coutillard is wonderful in a difficult and somewhat dual role - it's hard to say if Cobb sees her in his own idealized way or not. Also rounding out this stellar cast are good performances by Tom Berenger and of course the ever dapper, Ken Watanabe. But all in all, it is Cobb's conflict with his wife and Fischer's unsettling relationship with his father, played with a nice touch by Cillian Murphy, that are the only emotional stimulants needed, both are so deeply concealed that it takes dreams within dreams to reach the core to either heal or manipulate, and anything more than that would be overkill.
All in all it has been a long time since audiences have been treated with such a movie as Inception. This movie is well paced, thought provoking, visually stunning and intellectually stimulating, and if you can be sure and make the best of your movie experience and catch it on an IMAX screen.
Inception is a rollercoaster ride of visual artistry and emotional edginess complete with a nail-biting climactic ending. Constructing a high concept action movie whilst giving equal attention to character development is difficult to juggle - one of the two will typically be compromised. However Nolan, as the story goes, worked on the script for
Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb
Leonardo DiCaprio gives a brilliant turn as Dom Cobb. We can rightfully assume the world of Inception is sometime in the not-so-distant future where technology has advanced to the next level, resulting in the emergence of a new criminal. Dom Cobb is a corporate thief who steals ideas from people while they dream, a tactic known as extraction. While the job seems easy, it's not without major
Ellen Page as Ariadne
The target is Robert Fischer, Jr. (Cillian Murphy), who just inherited his father's corporate empire. Cobb is also a man without a country, escaping extradition to the States on murder charges, banished from seeing his children. Like the plot, Cobb's life is affected by layered ripples stemming from the death of his wife Mal (Marion Coutillard). If Cobb is successful, Saito will use his influence to clear Cobb of all charges so he can return home. Cobb needs a reliable team for his mission. He already has his right-hand man and business associate responsible for researching each target, Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Next recruited are Eames (Tom Hardy), a master at shifting identities, Ariadne (Ellen Page), an architect in training, and Yusuf (Dileep Rao), a chemist. All balk at the new proposition, since in order to deposit the idea they must probe dangerously deeper into their target's subconscious. However, the opportunity for Dom to find some peace far outweighs any thought of possible failure.
Tom Hardy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Eames and Arthur
Ellen Page is charming as Ariadne. She's a new kid on the block, a deep thinker, a young woman of great intellectual curiosity. As the only living female lead, her emotional radar and inquisitiveness along with her objectivity as a newcomer allow for her to piece together the complexities of Dom's unsettling relationship with his wife, which is putting their mission in jeopardy. It's only fitting that while Cobb teaches Ariadne the multi-complexities of dream infiltration, the
Ken Watanabe and Marion Coutillard as Saito and Mal
Under Cobb's tutelage of Ariadne, Nolan takes the audience deeper into the mysteries of the dream world, unlocking dreams and their many entanglements governed by sub-conscious rules of law, knoweldge of which is needed in order to access, control, manipulate, and deceive. There are many blurred lines between where dreams begin and realities end, how to detect what's real and what's a dream, not to mention limbo,what happens when you die in dreams, and how to escape from a dream to wakefulness. In creating these magical worlds that defy all logic and reason, Nolan balances the use of CGI and old-school SPX techniques to perfection. He's smart enough not to overdose his audience with CGI, and only pulls out the big guns when creating on a grand scale. We see majestic worlds and surreal fortresses,
Naturally, as with all matters involved with the mysteries of the brain and subconscious, there are other elements incongruent with the mission - forces beyond all control. There are unresolved personal issues that become stumbling blocks, and defense mechanisms of the targeted mark, similar to anti-bodies. These are manifested in the form of skilled gunman and highly trained body guards. These plot devices lead to many of the movie's most exciting chase scenes, and keep the energy flowing. Cobb's personal threat is his wife, Mal, who often shows up in his dream heists to oppose him. Her presence stems from his unresolved guilt at causing her demise, and his separation from his children.
I've read a few reviews from top critics who complain about the character development, which is ridiculous. There are two character types in this movie, those who help the plot progress and those who are part of the plot. In a movie of this magnitude which still succeeds at balance, it is not
All in all it has been a long time since audiences have been treated with such a movie as Inception. This movie is well paced, thought provoking, visually stunning and intellectually stimulating, and if you can be sure and make the best of your movie experience and catch it on an IMAX screen.
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Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I really enjoyed this one too. My review will be up in a few hours, but here is a slice...
"Inception is a smartly scripted, visually astonishing accomplishment that reminds not all bigscreen behemoths need to be dumbed down adaptations of existing works. Constructed with eye of the needle care and calculated pacing the film’s delicate stealth seeps originality taking an intangible truth and manipulating it to maximum effect.
Compelling and riveting, Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Dark Knight) proves once more he is a consummate storyteller. Focused and avoiding the pitfalls of over complicating a simple “idea” to deliver complex, intellectually stimulating entertainment that never plummets into incoherence. An architect of the cerebral cortex, instead of a frustrating paradox of riddles the film is a fluid exercise in the tapestry of structure."
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Thanks for stopping by.
JD, I look forward to reading your complete review. Love what you have so far.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I completely understand. I usually don't see movies on the opening weekend but I wanted to avoid the saturation and see it early for myself to beat the crowd.
I was really happy about this one! Looking forward to reading your thoughts.
Comment by Anonymous
I can't wait to see this movie!
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Here's my review (click here)
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Thanks but I forgot to mentioned that I think Leonardo is a "god" too.
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Now get him a bloody Oscar Hollywood.