Inception

Horrorphile

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Inception

July 22nd 2010 02:13

“Death and nature illuminate, elevate. Love ventures under, the rest all never.”

Ideas as parasites, and the architecture of the mind as the scene of corporate crime, where the infiltration of dream layers is a labyrinthine gauntlet of projections and deceptions, and the fabric of reality becomes as fragile as footsteps in the surf of time. Christopher Nolan’s Inception (2010) is one of the truly great science fiction movies of all time.

Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb

The less said about the plot the better (and easier). Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), is a skilled thief working at an unprecedented level of control; Extraction (stealing an idea from a dream), which involves a high calibre team; Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), his right-hand man, Ariadne (Ellen Page), his dream architect, Eames (Tom Hardy), a forger (imitator), and Yusef (Dileep Rao), a chemist (specialising in sedatives). Their job is Inception: planting an idea in someone’s mind via dream(s).

Dream team: Yusef (Dileep Rao), Eames (Tom Hardy), Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Cobb, Ariadne (Ellen Page), Saito (Ken Watanabe)

Their client is Saito (Ken Watanabe), a powerful business player, who wants to manipulate Robert Fischer Jr (Cillian Murphy), the heir to a dying multi-billion dollar oil company tycoon (Pete Postlethwaite), by planting the idea of splitting the soon-to-be inherited company up, so the wealth won’t be controlled by Fischer alone. In return – and this is Cobb’s primary incentive – Saito’s immense political power will ensure Cobb can return to America to see his children again, since Cobb is currently a fugitive accused of his wife Mal (Marion Cotillard)’s murder.

Marion Cotillard as Mal

But everything is far from simple. And Murphy’s Law can penetrate the fabric of dreams; in this case Cobb’s subconscious, his memories, his past relationship with his wife, and the love they shared.

Ariadne tests her architect's power

Brilliantly writer/director Nolan has concocted the most elaborate narrative structure, primarily an action-movie, but disguised as a spy-thriller, masquerading as a science fiction neo-noir, that works as a dream-nightmare. Yet it is essentially a story of love and betrayal, memory and desire. It works so well on so many levels it is breath-taking as a piece of cinema. It took Nolan eight years to write the screenplay.

Inception Cillian Murphy, Leonardo DiCaprio

Cobb eyes his dream job, Robert Fischer Jr (Cillian Murphy)

The production values are astonishing; I’ve not seen visual effects so extraordinarily integrated into the live action, where one can’t tell where the CGI ends and the real effects begin. The gorgeous dark-hues of the cinematography from Wally Pfister (who has shot all of Nolan’s movies) provide the movie with its significant noir feel. The production design (by Guy Dyas) is immaculate, right down to the superb costuming (a very impressive array of men’s suits is constantly on parade courtesy of Jeffrey Kurland). The incredible choreography of the chase sequences, enhanced by the frenetic editing and Hans Zimmer score. Although Nolan’s screenplay is a towering achievement, his direction and the editing (from Lee Smith) are consummate. And the cast is pitch perfect.

The desolate shores of the subconscious

It’s easy to gush over Inception. It demands to be seen. However I’m in two minds about seeing it a second time (of course I will). There is something magical about the first experience, especially since I chose not to read any reviews or watch any trailers prior to the screening. I knew very little about the movie, apart from that it was by Nolan, of whom I’m a huge fan, and that it dealt with the perception of reality (I had no idea how significantly it employed the fabric of the dream state). I know a second (and third) viewing will still be hugely enjoyable, but I also can appreciate that the wonder and mystery (two very important elements of Inception) will be dampened, cracks may very well appear, and the mechanics of the filmmaking and storytelling will penetrate the illusion of the cine-dream.

But hey … it’s only a movie. An illusion. And therein lies Nolan's prestige.

NB: In an unprecedented move Inception has become the third highest rated movie on imdb.com’s Top 250 movies of all-time (as voted by its registered users/regular voters). Considering it currently only has around 46,000 votes, compared to #1 The Shawshank Redemption (over 500,000 votes) and #2 The Godfather (nearly 400,000 votes), this is something to behold. These three movies each have an overall rating of 9.1/10 (as determined by the Bayesian estimate). One should take into account, however, that the vast majority of the Top 250 movies are made-up of science fiction/fantasy and gangster-style movies (which broadly illustrates the main demographic of imdb voters: young males aged between 14-24). But hey …

Here’s the teaser trailer:

245

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

12 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Matt Shea

July 22nd 2010 02:21

20/20 Filmsight

So there I was, saying to myself that I won't read any more Inception reviews, and then Horrorphile tempts me once again...

Only read bits and pieces, Bryn, but I think I've now reached the point where after all that I've read I expect to be a bit disappointed, and will therefore be pleasantly surprised -- can't trick the trickster!

Will be back after I've checked it out. And that is interesting about the IMDB score, although its new film novelty value might be seeing it rank a little higher than it otherwise would.

Comment by AnonRoyal

July 22nd 2010 05:41

great concept I hope it lives up

Comment by Bryn

July 22nd 2010 05:58

Horrorphile

That's right Matt, throw all expectation to the wind, and let Nolan's sf joyride take you on a most curious journey.

AnonRoyal, indeed, indeed, Inception might just be the greatest conceptual movie of the past twenty or more years.

Comment by ShaunK

July 22nd 2010 06:50

Screen Adventure

Just saw it - and it has left me stunned. I'm sort of walking around in a trance after watching it - I think it's his best film (Leo and Nolan's). cool review you've done as it's a hard film to critique. I'm gonna have to give the film a few more hours to sink in before I can do my review.

wowza

I also laughed when you said that it was easier to try to not have to explain the story. Indeed. Also saw how it's ranked number 3 now on imdb - that guy Nolan knows how to tell a story.

Comment by JohnDoe

July 24th 2010 19:08

Film & TV on DVD

Nice on Bryn,

I do feel dirty for enjoying something so embraced, but it is that good.

Interesting thoughts on removing the magic with a second screening.

Comment by Jason King

July 25th 2010 06:03

Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness

Nice one Bryn!!

Comment by Bryn

July 26th 2010 01:03

Horrorphile

Cheers guys ... Inception is that rare "big" movie that has us all rapt.

Comment by The Master

September 10th 2010 18:38

I've always questioned some of the movie you had set up as part of the Nightmare/Horror genre but I knew once I saw it you were going to write a review because Inception IS a Nightmare in every way,shape, and form.

I mean the bone crushing sadness with what happens to Cobb at the end a side (I still cry when I think of the movie I know that's a bit dorky but oh well)

It made me appreciate the people in my life more and especially my girlfriend because the character of Mal reminded me much of her. I remember I wouldnt get off the phone for half the day after seeing this. This explores a nightmare in it's truest form : To loose everyone, and everything you love and be alone in a Hell of your own making. Truly an awesome piece of work. But I hope they make a sequel where Cobbs is released. I pray for that, because part of me wishes, hopes that he and Mal will be united again.

Comment by Anonymous

September 10th 2010 19:06

I saw this movie awhile back and it was fantastically made but in the end so depressing Im not sure Ill watch it again

Comment by Bryn

September 11th 2010 03:52

Horrorphile

Master, great comments.

Anon, I hadn't thought of the movie as depressing, certainly there is a sadness ...

Comment by The Master

September 13th 2010 17:54

I'm just sorry it took me this long to comment! I didnt want to check out the review because I wasnt sure if there were spoilers and it took me a while before I could see it