Title: Inception
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordan-Levitt
Runtime: 2 hrs 28 minutesWhat It Is? Subconscious bandit Dom Cobb is inside the mind of one Mr. Saito. He along with his right hand man Arthur are doing what they normally do stealing ideas from the subconscious. However this time it’s different Dom and Arthur fail. Saito however has a proposal for Cobb. Saito’s nearest competitor in the international energy game is Maurice Fischer ( the late Peter Postlethwaite) whom is on his death bed. Now rather then steal from the dying Maurice’s subconscious Saito has other plans. He wants to commit the act of inception. Inception is planting a thought into someone minds rather then stealing one. He wants Cobb and Arthur to plant an idea into Robert Fischer’s (Cillian Murphy) head to split up his father energy conglomerate. Saito intends to use this to help him gain a hand in the global energy game. Cobb is hesitant, but agrees when Saito promises to make all of Cobb’s legal troubles in the states disappear. Cobb is faced with another issue after he agrees to Saito’s proposition, he does not have an architect for the subconscious rouse as his last one was eliminated by the company who hired him to steal from Saito’s mind. To build the world of the dream Dom goes to his father-in-law Miles (Michael Caine) and asks for his best pupil. Miles gives him Ariadne (Ellen Page) she must create the space for the dream to take place in since Cobb cannot. This is due to his wife haunting his dreams, and causing mayhem within them.
What We Think? Not sure WHAT Christopher Nolan was on when he wrote this one. But it takes the world of the dream and makes it seem like reality. One thing people have been talking about since Inception dropped is it’s ending. While I won’t reveal it or spoil it for those of you living under a rock that HAVEN’T seen this yet. I’ll tell you it makes for great water cooler conversation as to whether or not or finale is as it appears. DiCaprio gives his standard spectacular performance, much like he did in Shutter Island, and anything else he’s in. What really steals the show however are the breathtaking action scene that take place within the dream world. Whether it’s Paris being turned upside down or Joseph Gordon-Levitt fighting subconscious baddies in hotel hallway in zero gravity you’ll need a second to find your bearings.
Our Score: A+, One of the years most original and best films is nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, but like any good big budget film that receive the nomination (i.e Avatar) it won’t win. What it will do however is solidify Nolan as one of films current visionaries. A true original who has taken the medium to heights it wasn’t at before. I think he tend to bring out the most of his casts, and cats his films well. Don’t forget your token when you watch this one, so you can make sure it isn’t a dream!