An intelligent, tantalising & complex puzzle of a thriller..

Rating: 8/10 (30 September 2010)

We may all complain about dumbed down films nowadays, but this film has blown up that charge quite spectacularly in this case for the defence. Leo Di Caprio leads a team that can enter a person's dreams & minds in order to extract information. They are set a challenge to enter the mind of a magnate's son but this time to embed information and instructions.
Complicating the whole episode is the subconscious of Leo Di Caprio who has to carry the heavy burden of his wife's death (something we are drip fed the details on through the film). The problem? She keeps appearing and sabotaging his work in the dreamworld.
Filmed & written by Christopher Nolan (of Dark Knight fame), this is wonderfully handled. The story is a "riddle & puzzle wrapped in an enigma", and we are kept guessing and wondering about the machinations of all that is happening. In truth, it can get overly clever and requires some concentration, but it's always worth the challenge and effort. The viewer is always left wondering how the abstract ideas piece together, and the complexity is part of the delight of this film.
The film very much takes influences from various other sci-fi films, in particular The Matrix and Existenz, but this does go its own way and will be influential to many.
The acting is generally very good. Leo Di Caprio is ably accompanied by a good set of co-stars in this film as he leads. Most notably the parallel puzzle of the dead wife is brilliantly portrayed by Marion Cotillard. Cillian Murphy as one of the targets for Leo Di Caprio's team is as good as he always is.
The filming is wonderful, and special effects quite dazzling. Folding over landscapes and loss of gravity with floating characters give us a real dream setting, and make you believe that is what is happening. Some of the action work will still amaze even the hardened sci-fi or action fanatic.
Very much invigorates the thriller genre, and the pace will keep most people intrigued throughout.
A cerebral tale that will have you engrossed, and will definitely be one we will most choose to view more than once.