Plot Summary: 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. This will involve executing his toughest job to date: Inception.
Yeah I know, a Summer 2010 blockbuster that I'm posting about in late January 2011. My best of 2010 list (well, more "these are the movies I watched in 2010" list) will be posted soon with more explanation of what I've been up to. For now, I need to focus and tackle this review, within a review, inside another review.
First, I need to expand on the plot summary above. Mr. DiCaprio (Cobb) plays a hired hand, a man with the technology and skills to infiltrate peoples dreams and steal their secrets and ideas. Apparently in worlds I'm not a part of (high finance and crime to name a few) people will go through any length to get what they need. The execution of something like this is just as complicated as you'd imagine it to be. However, it's something that Cobb has done many times before. He's very good at what he does. Stealing an idea isn't the hard part; implanting an idea is. That is called Inception. So we're introduced to Cobb, to his team and the story rolls forward towards the grand finale of Inception. The details of that journey are for you to discover. However, I can tell you what I thought of the journey; that's no secret.
Inception is a bold piece of filmmaking. Bold in that it is a completely original idea. We're not seeing much of those anymore in Hollywood. It was conceived of and written by Christopher Nolan from his original thought. It's not a sequel (or a squeakquel) or a remake of a better crafted foreign film. What is even more impressing is that while the idea itself is pretty simple, one would imagine the execution of that idea on screen would be very difficult. Nolan pulls it off effortlessly (seemingly), and it is incredibly fun to watch. What you may have heard is true; there is a dream, inside a dream, inside a dream all happening at once. Why you ask? Because in order to implant an idea, you have to go as deep into the subconscious as you can so the victim doesn't know the idea isn't his or hers. While it sounds confusing, and easy to make fun of, it is quite a sight to see unravel in front of your eyes. The amazing thing is that I was not confused or lost at any point during the sequence. That is reason enough for any fan of celluloid to see Inception as soon as possible; but wait, there's more.
The thing that impressed me most about this film is that I was treated to an actual story. You may have, as I did, assumed that Inception was just going to be about the act itself. A caper inside someone's mind. There would be a set up, the gathering of the top notch team, the planning, the buildup, the heist itself and then a resolution. A Summer blockbuster doesn't need anything else. Throw in amazing special effects, and you're done. Why do anything more? Christopher Nolan knew that in order to reach a broader audience and to keep people interested beyond the wow factor he would need more. Cue Marion Cotillard; the love interest. I won't reveal anything about this aspect of the story, but adding this depth to Cobb's character in turn adds something for viewers to latch onto, to root for and to identify with. This was a great move by Nolan. It illustrates why he is one of the best filmmakers of this generation. Inception was Nolan's baby. It is the film he has been working towards, earning money and reputation for, since Memento was a sleeper hit. He could have taken the easy route, but he chose to lend some heart to a beautiful technical idea, and it's what pushes Inception towards the realm of masterpiece. There are a few small details that I felt held it back a bit, and I would have to watch it again to determine if it reaches that realm. Only time will tell.
