71) Inception
Director: Christopher Nolan
Year: 2010
Plot Summary: 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.
I literally don't know where to begin when reviewing Inception. Perhaps I should begin by saying that it's one of the most intelligent movies I have ever seen. Or perhaps I should begin by saying that it's the Blockbuster movie that will set the bar for all the others to come. But, no matter what I write, nothing could ever begin to explain just how breathtaking Christopher Nolan's newest release really is.
To describe Inception would be impossible; it's a story so complex that it actually takes most of the narrative's first half to explain.
Nevertheless, despite its complexities and the fact that you will have to use your brain throughout the entire movie, it's still a brilliant roller coaster ride of a movie populated by on-foot chase scenes, spectacular car chases, sniper battles and a heart-stopping sequence in a tilting hotel corridor that is set to become a classic.
Amidst the set-pieces and the special effects though, the film is held together with a powerful drama involving the mysterious, tormented Cobb who's character is explored and unveiled to the audience more and more as Inception goes on. You almost feel like you know the life story of Cobb as the film reaches its breathtaking final moments. It's rare that such a level of character development is achieved in a summer blockbuster and it helps make the aforementioned action unbearably tense as you care so much about his fate and whether he will make it home.
Moreover, breaking the usual trend set by the likes of Avatar and Iron Man, not even the slightest moment of CGI, action or special effects is used simply as a divergence from the narrative. Every single scene and how it plays out is crucial to Nolan's dream world and the characters that inherit it. Even the use of slow motion, an effect which I hate, is used spectacularly here to distinguish between different levels of the subconscious. (Trust me, it'll make more sense if you watch it!)
Inception also packs some incredible performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Cillian Murphy and especially English actor Tom Hardy who, after seeing this, would be my personal choice for the next Jame Bond. However, the real star of this spectacle is Marion Colltiard who is both heartbreaking and sad as well as haunting and scary in her role as Mal. It might be controversial, but I seriously think that this French actress should have another Oscar nomination coming her way for this performance.
Furthermore, I can't stress the importance of seeing Inception in cinemas. Seeing these images on the big screen to capture every little detail and listening to every nuance of sound with surround sound is crucial to the enjoyment of Nolan's latest release. If ever there was a movie made to be loud and huge, it's this one.
Unfortunately, because it's so complex, the opening hour doesn't quite pack the punch, the emotion or the power that you'd expect from the director of Memento, The Prestige and The Dark Knight. After all, so much information is given to the viewer that it doesn't really allow time to explore the minor character's motives or personalities. But, at the end of the day, Inception will blow your mind regardless of these faults due to its sheer intelligence, stunning imagery and breathtaking story. As a piece of Hollywood summer entertainment, there's little that could be better. Just go and see it and you seriously won't regret it.
Unbelievable.
5/5
10 comments:
Oh my. Ranking for Nolan? all-time worthy?!
Errrrmm... I actually thought about this as it finished, and I'd say:
Memento (10/10)
The Prestige/Inception (9/10)
The Dark Knight (8.5/10)
Batman Begins (8/10)
Insomnia (8/10)
I can't really choose which of the two would be my favourite.
When it's good, Inception is just outstanding. I literally left the cinema shaking the last hour was so powerful, heart-stopping and breathtaking.
But I think some of the clunky dialogue, undeveloped characters and the fact that it takes a while for the actual idea to be explained and understood stops it from being his masterpiece.
Nevertheless, seeing as it's already 140 minutes long, it's just an awesome film. So intelligent and so well made. It's just blockbuster cinema at it's finest.
Oh, and it's not all-time worthy for me. But I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people felt that way.
Youuuur 5/5 system is deceivingggg :). Should be 4.5/5.
I did consider that, but i'm veeeeery picky when it comes to films.
So if I started using that system, there'd only be like 30 movies that'd ever receive a full 5/5 score.
Instead, there's just be tons of 4.5/5's.
I know it does cause a bit of confusion, but I try to make up for that by doing my 'End of the month' thing.
That way people can see which movies I think are at the top end of the 5/5 score. :)
Oh, and if you're interested, I have made up my mind that Inception is, in fact, better than The Prestige.
Mainly because there's still lots of things about it that have kept me thinking/haunted me about it even after 24 hours, while, as much I love it, The Prestige does lose a bit of it's impact once you know the twist.
It's still an amazing movie, but if there's one fault I have with The Prestige it's that there isn't a lot to find with repeated viewings. Whereas I could happily see Inception again and would very likely discover new meanings, have different theories, notice little things I missed last time, etc.
Well, I'd disagree in not much to find in The Prestige but I can see how there would be much more in Inception. But The Prestige is pleasantly forgettable, always a re-discovery when you watch it, never getting stale.
You'll see what I mean when you catch the film. :) In some respects it's like Synecdoche, New York in the way that you could come back to it again and again and find new meanings in the images, the words the ideas, etc.
Went to see this movie last night. Best film of the year. I can't imagine anything beating it. =] I agree with your post above daniel that its a bit like synecdoche... but if it was remade as a bourne movie. lol. =]
I'm not a fan of action movies but i thought the big hour long sequence inside fishers mind near the end of the movie was awesome. I just had to try and remember which level of the subconscious we were on and whose dream we were in alot. =P
I'm shocked that you think the characters were 2d though. I thought they all had their own distinctive personalities and traits and things. Maybe they could have said more about arthur + eames motivation for doing it but it was already 2 and a 1/2 hours long! =P
That's the idea. These men do not have pasts or futures. They're Bond-esque. That's the mystery, that's the attraction. Everybody would love to exist like that.
I don't think the 2Dness of their nature is a flaw. I don't think it's a positive either. I'm just justifying Nolan's choice because he usually makes an effort to not do it. I wouldn't forgive an asshat like Bay or anything. Leo's character made up for it too.
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