Inception Review

There are no spoilers in this review. It was my #2 most anticipated movie of the year.

PLOT: In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final chance at redemption which involves executing his toughest job till date, Inception.

THE GOOD: Christopher Nolan. Inception writer and director Christopher Nolan could see an Oscar nomination for this movie. This is Nolan's first film he has written by himself since 1998's Following (anyone else notice the connection with the name Cobb?), which was before his career really kicked off. All of the other movies he has written have either been with his brother Jonathan Nolan, or David S. Goyer. Going solo was my only little bit of worry for the film, but I think Christopher Nolan pulls it off in a great way. He's worked on the script for nine years, so I guess he's had enough time to fine-tune the details.

Story. It wouldn't seem like much to ask for an original story these days, but the theatres are plagued by films that are based on other ideas. Inception is not inspired by anything except for the experience of lucid dreaming and dream incubation. It's deep, innovative, and smart. Sometimes a little too smart that a second or third viewing helps clear things up. But it's the world that Nolan has created around the concept of taking and planting ideas through dreams that's truly fantastic.

Gravity-shifting. While the gravity-shifting hallway and room are not new concepts, it's the most entertaining to watch so far. I remember the old Sugar Ray - "Fly" music video (at 1:36 on the video) being the first time I saw this idea. That was 13 years ago! No one has seemed to really capitalize on it until now. Integrating a fight scene into it is brilliant and doing it on such a large scale like a hotel hallway is fascinating. Bravo to production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas and special effects supervisor Chris Corbould for helping make this scene not just be a gimmick.

Camera work. Nolan tried to use as much in-camera effects for the film as possible and it really pays off. From the opening shot with the crashing ocean waves to the closing scene resting on the totem on the table, the entire movie is visually capturing. Director of photography Wally Pfister really deserves some of the praise that all of Nolan's films receive. The two have worked together ever since Memento and I think both have grown into amazing professionals. Lots of hand-held camera stuff during conversations between characters, just like we saw in The Prestige. Sometimes objects or actors get slightly blurry which can be an unintentional effect for being in a dream.

Score. I've seen Inception twice now and the one thing that happened as I walked out of both showings was having the score stuck in my head. Particularly the song that plays at the end, "Time". It's a very memorable score and quite a moving one, too. I just had to download it when I got home after the second showing. All of the songs on the soundtrack were written and composed by Hans Zimmer. Although, he may have stolen one or two notes from The Edith Piaf song "Non, je ne Regrette Rien", used to wake up the characters.

The last half-hour. I'm not going to get into the details of the ending, but the last half-hour of the film is a wonderful piece of cinema. Everything in the film has been built up to this moment and the way it unfolds is incredible.


THE BAD: Characters. My biggest beef with the film is the characters. Aside from Cobb, everyone is just a hollow shell. Great to look at and watch on the outside, but are not complex, emotional beings at all.

Ken Watanabe's lines. Quite a few moments where I could not understand what he was saying due to his thick accent. Needed some subtitles or re-shoots.

"Ariadne". Subtle, Mr. Nolan. Subtle.


THE END: Inception is not a perfect movie, but it is one of the best of the year. Christopher Nolan continues to prove that he is one of the greatest directors of our time. The movie really sticks with you. I recommend running out the door and seeing this film right now if you haven't already.


DISCUSS: Did you like Inception? What is your favorite Christopher Nolan film? Are you looking forward to the next Batman movie?