Film Review: Inception

Movies are meant to entertain. On rare occasion, a movie surpasses entertainment and overwhelms, creating an unforgettable experience. Inception does that, and so much more - I walked out at the end knowing I had just watched a masterpiece unfold. Christopher Nolan has once again proven to be the premier filmmaker of our generation, a man who has crafts one brilliant picture after another; he meshes modern techniques with classic film sentiments, blending a history of film with his unmistakable style and skill. More directors should be making films like Nolan. I haven't been so completely enthralled by a movie in a very long time, so lost in a film without any desire to escape.

Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a master of dream technology, entering another's subconscious through dreams; Cobb uses his skills to steal valuable information that other's keep locked away in the mind. When a big job comes along, with an invaluable reward attached from Saito (Ken Watanabe), Cobb assembles a team and attempts the impossible. However, Cobb must also grapple with his own subconscious and haunting memories. Inception is a truly powerful cinematic experience, and should be seen with as little knowledge necessary. Do yourself a favor: do not search for information about this film. It's maddening to try and describe this film. Nolan has created a full-fledged word, deftly blending the dream with reality, and his process needs to be seen to believe. Remember to just revel in it. People will be talking about Inception for a very long time.

Nolan has put together a impeccable cast - DiCaprio, after his great work in Shutter Island, shows again why he's one of Hollywood's most talented leading men; Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as dream technician Arthur, is perfect for his suave role (two summers in a row!); Ellen Page's Ariadne (wonderful name choice, Mr. Nolan...) is utterly charming, and the audience's thankless guide as a newcomer in this world. I'm obsessed with Marion Cotillard, and I think she is stunning as Mal. Some critics have faulted the film for a cold emotional center; the film's emotional connection with the audience hinges on Cotillard's twisted femme fatale. I found her performance moving and believable. Yes, I cried. In smaller supporting roles, Michael Caine and Cillian Murphy (Batman vets!) turn in winning performances, making the most of their limited screen time. This cast hits every moment perfectly. Interesting note: James Franco was Nolan's first choice for Arthur, and he initially wanted Evan Rachel Wood to play Ariadne.

The idea for this film was born when Nolan was 16, the script took eight years to write. Inception demands your every fiber of attention. Drawing upon modern film nostalgia for sci-fi classics like Blade Runner and The Matrix, Nolan has crafted a gripping, evocative, and visceral blockbuster for the thinking man. Inception earns its own place in the pantheon. This is a "psychological thriller" (if this film fits into a single genre) of epic proportions; prepare to feel your brain humming in your skull. Every technical aspect is superb - editor Lee Smiths should certainly win an Oscar for his exceptional juggling of the film's complex segments, the cinematography and visual effects are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and Hans Zimmer's score is pitch-perfect. Come Oscar night, the cast and crew of Inception should be all over the Academy's official ballot.

While Inception is almost unfathomably deep with ideas, Nolan's execution is what makes this film so accessible. The story is meticulously crafted, the plot itself not overly complicated. While Nolan played with linear storytelling in Memento and The Prestige, here Nolan is exploring multiple levels of understanding; Inception is vertical in its exploration, rather than horizontal. The confusion comes in some (purposefully) ambiguous details regarding the rules of the dream, especially in the film's final act. Nolan proves his genius, above and beyond, in the film's final frames. The end of Inception is not only perfect (and the only way I can see this film ending), but also the definition of ingenious in its power and imagery; I have never heard an audience react so audibly to the moment a film ended.

Inception demands multiple views and multiple interpretations. When the lights went up in my theatre, I was shaking, giddy but completely drained; it was almost like I was waking up from my own dream. This is how a sweeping summer movie event should feel. This is cinematic brilliance disguised as a summer blockbuster. This is art, original and engrossing. Inception messed with my brain, heart, and idea of what cinema can accomplish. There's nothing like it. Let this big, bold, riveting, and provocative film overtake you. Inception is like a worm, burrowing inside your head and slowly taking over. Give in. The results are breathtaking. A