Movies: 'Inception' Review
Movie:
Inception
Genre:
Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
The Verdict:
By far the best, most thrilling mind-bending movie of 2010, a must-see!
Rating: 5 Stars
STARRING:
Leonardo DiCaprio
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Ellen Page
Tom Hardy
Ken Watanabe
Dileep Rao
Cillian Murphy
Tom Berenger
It has been one of this year’s most talked-about Hollywood mysteries.
Everybody in the film industry knew that British film-maker Christopher Nolan
was making Inception. We knew it was a big-budget movie about dreams, with a stellar cast
headed by Leonardo DiCaprio. But that was about it. It's cryptic title and the fact that Nolan kept the plot a closely guarded secret from day one added to the speculation. Actors he auditioned for the roles had to read the script in his office or have it hand-delivered to their homes where someone stood guard while they perused it. Even the visually dazzling but enigmatic trailer failed to explain exactly what the film was about.
If you have any plans on seeing this mind-bending new movie, you should do so quickly, because this is sure to be the type of movie that has people standing around the metaphorical water cooler and discussing it - especially the ending!
Let me start out by saying that Inception is one of the best movies I have seen this year, and ranks among the best movies I have seen over the last few years! I have to say it is a thought-provoker and quite a difficult movie to review without giving the story away so I will do my best not to spoil it for all Inception virgins out there (if that means staying schtum and me sounding very mysterious - trust me, it's not personal and you'll thank me for it after you've seen it!)
At it's most basic (which is a ridiculous description of this movie) this is a heist movie - well at least the plot surrounds a heist. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Dom Cobb who is a skilled thief with a difference. The absolute best thief in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible - inception.
Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb decides to gather a team of specialists who along with him, have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. His team include an architect who's job is to construct the dream world (Ellen Page), his back up guy (Joseph Gordon Levitt) goes into the dream with him to implement damage control, a forger (Tom Hardy), a chemist (Dileep Rao) along with guidance from Cobb's 'dream architect' teacher and mentor (Michael Caine).
Together the group is tasked with implanting an idea in the mind of Robert Fischer, Jr. (Cillian Murphy), the son of an energy baron, and the main business rival of Cobb's client Saito (Ken Watanabe). The story then takes an unexpected turn, when Cobb’s wife Mal (Marion Cotillard) continues to haunt Cobb’s dreams. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming.
If you still main-frame DiCaprio as the kid from Titanic, you really need to grow up - he’s turned into a solid, gritty actor with an air of gravitas. He's amazing, I don't think he's had a bad performance in his last 9 movies! Everyone gives excellent performances here though… Joseph Gordon-Levitt is suitably intense, although he’s not given much to work with, he shows terrific calibre. I really want to see him do more, again. Ellen Page was good, not great (I just see Juno!) but again, she wasn’t given enough to do to really let her spread her wings. I particularly enjoyed Tom Hardy’s character and performance - he was the guy that really understood how to cut loose in the dream world. My favourite scene had to be the slow-motion floating fight sequence with Joseph Gordon Levitt as it reminded me of a much improved, technically updated version of scenes from The Matrix (Can anyone believe that was 10 years ago?!)
Truly, with this movie - your mind is the scene of the crime!
Watch Trailer