Inception

Inception (2010)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Length: 148 minutes
Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action throughout




I'm breathing heavy. There are butterflies in my stomach and chills on my arms. My heart is racing as I sit on the literal edge of my seat. I dare not blink or risk missing some awesome detail or important stitch in the fabric of the story. Am I in love? Well...in love with a movie, yes. I say this with absolute confidence, Christopher Nolan has directed, written, created a flawless film of epic mastery. I still cannot believe the sight I have just witnesses: imagine seeing Jesus and Muhammad playing chess with the Ark of the Covenant as the table. It's that damn good.

Inception is a classic film noir style, sci-fi criminal heist, dramatic film that centers on the dream world and the impact our subconscious has on our real lives. Leonardo DiCaprio (Hoover, Shutter Island) plays Dom Cobb, a thief who creates a dream in which to steal valuable information from a mark. When former mark Saito, Nolan's go-to Japanese guy Ken Watanabe (Shanghai, The Unbroken), offers Cobb the chance to return home after one final job, he and his team prepare for the challenge of inception - planting an idea within a mark that will result in a desired action.

There is no way I can truly convey the idea behind Inception and the concepts involved without you witnessing. But take my word, Nolan has covered every essential detail in his modern masterpiece. For every action a character takes, there is an explanation to expand upon the necessity of said action. The attention to detail is one of the most amazing aspects of the film. With such a complex and layered story, it can be quite difficult juggling multiple aspects at one time; but Nolan has proven his mastery once again by skillfully balancing every moment perfectly. Though most people may watch the film and leave slightly confused or perplexed, I promise you there is an answer for every question you may have (assuming it was an important detail and not something frivolous).

On top of the wonderful and layered story, the cast Nolan has assembled is once again amazing. Aside from the always reliable DiCaprio, Inception boast the likes of Ellen Page (Whip It, Super) as Ariadne the young architect, talented up-and-comer Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Hesher, Live With It) as Cobb's partner Arthur, scene stealing Tom Hardy (Warrior, Mad Max: Fury Road) as the forger Eames, and former Oscar winner Marion Cotillard (Second Coming, Nine) as Cobb's deceased wife Mal who interferes with Cobb's team during their heists. All beautifully execute their roles to perfection and showcase and impressive amount of talent that will grace the silverscreen for years to come.

The fight sequences are splendidly executed as well. Avoiding the overly-jerky camera that plagues the likes of The Bourne Trilogy and recent James Bond flicks, the fights almost seem like elegant ballets danced in zero-G. The car chase sequences seem believable and fresh, showing the centripetal force of a car around a corner and its effects on the passengers in both the real world and the dream world. One of the coolest scenes involves the team dreaming on multiple levels and the steps taken to kick them awake - it's just cool. Even the impressive scenery and backgrounds that compose the dream worlds are breathtaking.

While my description and probably those of several other reviewers may be cryptic, it's only because words cannot do justice to this masterpiece. The only way to truly grasp and absorb the brilliance of Nolan's latest is to witness and allow the film to sink deep within you. Put simply, this is the James Bond film Stanley Kubrick would have created. I know many may disagree with me, claiming the film is too weird or complicated, but it really isn't. Nolan truly has created a masterpiece that leaves no stone unturned and quite possibly is the greatest film of all time. Now all I have to ask myself is, "Am I still dreaming? Or is this really real?"

Final Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote:
Arthur [Projections starting to notice their presence]: "Quick, kiss me."
[Ariadne and Arthur kiss]
Ariadne: "Did it work?"
Arthur: "No, but it was worth a shot."

Oscar Winners
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Oscar Nominations:
Best Achievement in Art Direction
Best Original Score
Best Motion Picture
Best Original Screenplay