Movie Review: “Inception”
20 Jul
One of the most talked about films this year is without a doubt Christopher Nolan’s Inception. Nolan’s last film, The Dark Knight, was a humongous success when it came out two years ago and built a lot of pressure and anticipation for his eventual follow-up. Instead of going right into a sequel to The Dark Knight, he decided to roll the dice and pursue an original project that he was working on for the past decade. With a 160 million dollar budget, Nolan was able to attract an ensemble cast and shoot at various locations around the globe to finally bring his dream project to the screen. Did Christopher Nolan ultimately succeed in his vision? Make the jump to find out!
First off, this is the type of film where it’s best to go into it knowing as little as possible. Even from a marketing standpoint, it is difficult (if not impossible) to fully explain the premise of Inception to the potential general audience. However, this actually worked out to the audience’s advantage. With the marketing campaign focused on Christopher Nolan and the strong cast, they were able to attract people to see the film without telling them exactly what they were in for. Many people’s expectations were kept low, but by the end of the film they were completely blown away.
Christopher Nolan successfully wrote a unique and original universe for Inception. The story is extremely deep and complex that can be fully appreciated by any type of audience. Since the film deals with the idea of dreams, the film has the rare ability to be interpreted several different ways. Since it can be viewed different ways, it has the appeal for multiple viewings without getting stale. Inception deals with many human aspects like guilt, corruption, and romance. However, the romance storyline with Dominic and Mallorie Cobb (played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Marion Cotillard) could have been more fleshed out.
The cast in Inception is superb and really brings the story to life. Leonardo DiCaprio brings a worthy performance as the lead character. However, it felt like he did a better performance of a character full of guilt as Teddy Daniels in Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tom Hardy are both tremendous in this film. Whenever the two are on screen, they truly elevate the drama and intensity of the situation at hand. However, Ellen Page felt like she wasn’t used to her fullest potential as an actress. Her character was mostly used to ask questions about the rules and consequences of the universe so the audience can get a better understanding. While it may have been necessary for us, it sacrificed the spirit of what her character could have been for the story.
Not only did Nolan write a terrific script, he also did an amazing job directing. He was successful in bringing the atmosphere he wrote on paper to life. With his past experience in capturing action on a grand-scale (Batman Begins and The Dark Knight), he is able to apply it and take it up a notch for the action scenes in Inception. The editing of this film is done extremely well and definitely worth noting since the story deals with multiple layers at the same time.
It’s nice to see an original big-budget film like Inception in a marketplace filled with adaptations, reboots, and remakes. While the film is about 148 minutes long, you don’t feel it because it’s almost impossible not to be completely engaged and entranced by the story. If you haven’t seen it yet, leave now and head to the closest theater, you won’t regret the decision.
Tags: Christopher Nolan, Ellen Page, Inception, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, July 2010, Marion Cotillard, Movie Review, Tom Hardy
Freakin amazing!! I loved almost every single second of this!! Nolan is going to be considered as one of the best directors of all-time now, and I will stand by and say, yes, I have to also agree. Check out my review here: http://dtmmr.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/inception-2010/
It certainly is an entertaining and well-made movie and the best blockbuster movie of the year. However, I think a lot of people are confusing a convoluted story with emotional depth and meaningful complexity, things that Inception strangely lacks.
I’m going to see it today!
Castor, you seem a voice of reason here, but I can’t quiet my excitement down anyway!
Audacious isn’t a word we get to use much these days in reference to the current film climate, and I’m apt to go out of my way to celebrate those filmmakers that aim higher than the rest, even if they sometimes fail (looking at you, Richard Kelly). Gondry is another in that book for me.
Nolan aimed high and I think almost overwhelmingly succeeded. Of course Inception is not perfect, but it’s been some time since an original film like this captivated audiences, even if it didn’t hit the mark with everyone. I loved it, and it’s my fave of the year so far, hands down.
I don’t see the lack of heart that others see, but if any film deserves four stars it’s Inception.
yeah, knowing little helps. for once i avoided trailers, clips and advertising and saw something it pretty fresh. maybe thats why i didnt understand it
great film though
You (and everyone else) seemed to like this one more than me. I will give it another shot in the future, but to me, there were too many holes and the pacing at times too slow to be considered a great film. Nolan is no doubt a talented filmmaker, but I think he gets too full of himself at times — and his 3rd acts always need some cleaning up.
Inception is definitely a good quality film – Clever screenplay, interesting cast, some amazing shots etc. However, I’d have to agree with a few others and say that I really don’t think it quite meets the standard set by the hype. It wasn’t as novel an idea as people make it out to be and it didn’t make that massive impact that, say, the first Matrix film made. Even “A Scanner Darkly” and the rotoscoping made a bigger impact on me than Inception. It’ll be interesting to be if Nolan manages to tweak his methods and produce something more 5star-worth in the future
I saw this last weekend and it blew me away. Such a well crafted story and visuals that were just jaw dropping…wouldn’t expect any less from Nolan.
Love the ending and just like getting out of The Prestige, I CANNOT wait to see this again. So want to get this on Blu Ray and hear what Nolan has to say about it.