JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
Inception (2010) – Trailer Included
Plummet into a Subconscious Maze
Inception Poster - Out Now in Cinemas
Writer/Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Leonardo Di Caprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Tom Berenger, Marion Cottilard, Ken Watanabe, Michael Caine, Lucas Haas, Cillian Murphy, Pete Postlethwaite
“What's the most resilient parasite? An Idea. A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules. Which is why I have to steal it.” - Cobb
What is the purpose of dreams? How does the subconscious process information and dictate behavior in our waking moments? These are questions that still remain elusive to scientists and have been debated for centuries by scholars and laymen alike.
Filmmakers too have appreciated the surreal voyeurism that links cinema to the sleeping mind’s eye. Paraphrasing here but David Lynch once famously compared his own films to “awakening from a dream where the pieces are open to interpretation”
Now, Christopher Nolan has processed many of the existing theories on our doze time and used it for the foundation of his latest science fiction thriller.
“Dreams feel real while we're in them. It's only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange.” - Cobb
Inception is a heist film that takes components of Dark City's world in a jar, the lucid dream philosophy of Waking Life and the basics of 1984’s Dreamscape then expands on the existing concepts to become an exceptional popcorn blockbuster.
Keeping the synopsis brief and avoiding semantics, Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a thief who uses a non-descript future technology to sneak into the subconscious and hijack elusive secrets. Forced to accept a seemingly impossible score he musty assemble a crew to pull off the job that will define his existence.
I know, camoflage isn't hip but it serves our purposes.
John Doe says:
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.
Christopher Nolan weaves his web of wonder.
A labyrinth of dream within a dream plotting, the screenplay mechanics tell exactly what we need to know at just the right time for optimum viewer investment. The characters are all vessels that serve the larger story either to share exposition or provide an emotional reflection of intent. They are not so much underdeveloped as whittled down to exact measurements of purpose.
The action scenes are pulse pounding adrenalin rushes that loyally adhere to moving the narrative forward. The dazzling, well framed cinematography and astonishing Special FX give us the gift of “wow” on several occasions. Employing props and sight to serve as signposts that alleviate confusion.
The detailed atmosphere makes for an overwhelming visual experience that never feels heavy handed but rather dollops out ingredients in exact measures.
The precise editing milking tension and providing visceral thrills is just another example of the technical expertise of the piece. For instance there has seldom been a better example of slow motion that causes us to hold our breath with such anxiety.
The ensemble cast operates brilliantly in their assigned positions, bringing as much brevity to their roles as possible while feeding their spoken word goals.
Leonardo DiCaprio (The Aviator, The Departed) slides into the part of the tortured guru Cobb like a virtual reality glove. His secret agent man moments fit like the well tailored suits his character wears. The introverted emotional desperation on his face is committed and evokes a deep understanding of tragic plight.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt always knows which way is up.
Tom Hardy (Star Trek: Nemesis, Bronson) again proves a chameleon of seemingly infinite talent. There is a sleazy charm to the slippery Eames that makes his screen time impossible to ignore.
Going beyond her Juno sterotype Ellen Page (Hard Candy) utilizes her fragility laced with nerdy know how to communicate the imperative “eyes of the audience” information.
Away from the screen to long, Tom Berenger’s (Platoon) worn out, heavily lined with experience face is a welcome addition to the call sheet. Cillian Murphy (Batman Begins) plays to his strengths, Pete Postlethwaite’s (The Usual Suspects) brief time carries gravity and Ken Watanabe (Letters from Iwo Jima) lodges yet another well honed performance.
Though it occasionally beats the audience over the head to ensure comprehension to a wider audience, obviously John Doe was suitably impressed by the film. A pleasure to experience during its unhindered 2.5 hour running time that never feels strained, the real joy is in dissecting the experience after leaving the theater.
Culminating in a final shot that will be the subject of heated filmgeek debate for years to come, there is unrestrained confidence shown in the last 15 minutes. Inconsistencies are used for the purpose of Inception, to plant an idea in the audiences mind. Taking the illusion off the silver screen and injecting it into the real world.
Trailer for Inception
A brief interview with Christopher Nolan discussing influences and intent.
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
It's about time a film came out that we can sink our teeth into.
Cheers,
Deni
Screen Adventure
I think that Joseph Gordon Levitt is the first bloke I've had a man crush on (kidding) - he is awesome though. Love how Tom Hardy is in this too and Ellen Page you complete me
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
Loved your wrap up too, I now want to see this, my fears were it was going to be a lame mishmash of all the films you related it to, and worse, Matrix, the latter ones, the last in particular, which was woeful to my mind.
Must get me to a silver screen soon!
cheers
fog
Screen Adventure
I have to see this again!! Here's my review
Great review as usual my friend!
Horrorphile
Film & TV on DVD
Film & TV on DVD
Knew you would like this one. It melds the intellectual stimulation with the emotional context well.
Liked your review, will be commenting on it soon.
Film & TV on DVD
I will always compare teh world ina jar to Dark City before the Matrix. (I admit that i think the second in the Matrix series was the strongest for me.)
Look forward to discussing 'Inception" once you have seen it. Hope I didn't ruin anything with my review which I was very consciously trying to keep even more "spoiler" free than usual.
Film & TV on DVD
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Best of luck with the job hunt!!
Horrorphile
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Film & TV on DVD
Naturally I think its a great idea
Horrorphile