Before seeing 'Inception', the film was my 2nd most anticipated film of the year, behind 'True Grit' and in front of 'Iron Man 2'. I was so pumped up about the film prior to seeing it, the trailer had promised me great things, it is starring some of my favorite actors, and directed by one of my most prized directors.
The film is about a man trying to return to normality after destroying his life with the technology capable of creating dream worlds when he and his wife enter. When they went in, only he came out, and now separated from his children, he believes doing one last job for an individual promising him an ability to return to his children, they engage in the most epic journey yet.
The best, absolutely by far the best thing coming from this film is the idea promoted in the film about altering time and space in a dream. The film explains that in each dream world time is extended, for example you may be alive in your dream and experience 50 years while only actually spending 1 or less years asleep. From a storytelling perspective it is capable of justifying all sorts of different angles and directions. Time is a very sensitive fact in storytelling, everything moves along a single timeline, whether you go back and forth to tell a story, it still rides on one line. In this movie there are infinite possibilities in how many lines can exist. I like that.
Now the film, directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Mr. DiCaprio, the film looks... excellent. Everything is so clear and vivid, its just astounding. The ideas presented visually is remarkable. The story as a unit is solid. The acting is surprisingly, merely, sufficient. To have a cast like this come together for a film, I would have expected a great mind in Christopher Nolan to somehow include scenes that can pull out the talent in each individual, but it didn't happen. Everyone was just good at what they were asked to do.
Movies like this, like 'The Sixth Sense', are much more difficult to watch and be just as or close to as entertained as the first time watching them. 'Inception' indeed suffers from the one time knockout.
About 2 weeks or so after seeing it the first time, I saw it again. I was bored, not because what was shown wasn't dazzling, but it just showed me how much the film relies on its mysteries to carry the film. I for the first time didn't pull anything out of it the second time, I actually payed attention completely the first time. Normally there is a cracker or snippet left to pick up on an outing or two after, but nope. I was completely satisfied after the one viewing.
Movies I would or could compare this to would be 'The Matrix', and a 'Bourne' film. Action packed, wild ride through a mysterious story constantly asking questions while only leaving maybe one open in the end. Just not enough for another outing for awhile.
I recommend this film very much for those who have not seen the film, you will indeed be blown away. But, stay away from seeing it again for awhile to help preserve it.
'Inception'
8 / 10
