I was able to catch a Tuesday afternoon matinee by myself this week, and boy am I glad that I did. I don't know that I have the capability to explain the utter joy I experienced watching this movie. I'm no expert on movie making or cinematography (I know, refrain from gasping), but Inception was so visually spectacular, so utterly magnificent, that I left the theater feeling like I should have paid more to see something that transcended any movie I've ever seen.
You know the feeling you had after the first time you saw The Matrix? That you just couldn't help but think, "I've never seen anything like that before"? I had the same feeling after seeing this movie. I quite simply, haven't seen anything like that before. (I am in NO way comparing the 2 movies, I've just been struggling for 3 days to put what I saw into words).
The movie ended, and I just sat in my seat, watching the ending credits roll, with an enormous smile on my face. Utter joy in the movie-going experience. If there were more than 10 of us in the theater, I think a standing ovation would have been appropriate.
In a very small nutshell, the movie is about the ability to enter another persons dreams (or subconscious), and implant an idea. In the words of Cobb (DiCaprio), "An idea is the most resilient thing that can enter the body. It's stronger than any parasite. Once an idea enters your mind, you can't get rid of it".
The problem for Cobb is that as he enters someone else's subconscious, he can't stop his own experiences and memories from entering as well. This produces the underlying subplot of the film, and the only piece that I thought could have been played up even more.
Cobb leads a team consisting of Joseph Gordon Levitt (500 Days of Summer), Ellen Page (Juno), and a couple of other guys I didn't know before this movie. Tom Hardy, who plays Eames, is sure to get a launch in films from this role. Cillian Murphy (Scarecrow from Batman Begins) is the target, with Ken Watanabe playing a major role as well. Tom Berenger shows up half way through the movie looking like the guy who ate Tom Berenger... Jake Taylor is long gone folks....
I'm not going to go too in depth with what happens, since I don't want to give anything away that might ruin your experience in viewing the film for the first time. The movie goes into depth on how a group of people can manipulate someone elses mind, and even delves into dreams within dreams, within dreams (I think we got 4 levels deep towards the end). It forces you to pay attention, question everything you see on the screen, follow the action. It does NOT cater to the lowest common denominator. Having said that, I had absolutely no problem following what was going on. Sure, it gets a little confusing (especially in the last 45 minutes or so), but it's worth the journey to get to the destination at the end of the road. The ending? Goodness.....the last 10 seconds of the film will have you talking for hours after you leave the theater. For me? I think there's no question of what happens, but I understand how many can and will take the opposing view. (My vote would be for what would be considered the 'happy ending').
It is again, one of the most visual amazing things I've ever seen. I thought that what Christopher Nolan did with The Dark Knight, in taking a superhero movie and making it worthy of a Best Picture consideration, was amazing. I'd be absolutely shocked if this picture isn't nominated itself.
I know it just sounds like 5 paragraphs of gushing, but I was utterly impressed by this movie. This was a blockbuster movie in the strongest sense of the term. Fantastic. See this film at your earliest convenience.
I know for a fact that I'll be going back for a 2nd viewing sometime very soon. 5 out of 5 stars. No question.
Can't wait to see this movie!
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