I really wanted to like it, but it just didn't happen.

Rating: 5/10 (12 December 2010)

First I would like to say that I would strongly recommend you read some of the reviews *before* you watch the movie. Several one-star reviews are very well written and help set expectations. Having done that, and sort of knowing what to expect, I found I was less confused when I finally saw (rented) the movie. That said, it clearly did not live up to its potential. The special effects and overall visuals are incredible. There's no denying that. The "why" behind some of the visuals and effects can be confusing however. If it's taking place inside a dream, where literally anything is possible, why the complicated trek across a frozen landscape, several dream-layers deep, to some strange vault, for example? Or why wasn't the van bulletproof, or equipped with some neat Bond-type gadgets? Why use a van at all ... it's a dream, why not use an armored military vehicle? Real dreams virtually never consist of contiguous or linear events either. Going from Point A to Point C never implies first having to stop at Point B, although in this movie we are led to believe that is a requirement. Other 'laws' are less stringent but inconsistent - you could awaken from the dream state if you die, or you could end up in 'limbo', depending on where you are in the storyline. There are aspects of the plot that should have been better explained, or developed, such as the concept of 'limbo' itself, or Ariadne's background and why she was so 'special'. Overall it was a disappointment, and although clearly over-hyped, it is not the worse movie ever. It's not one you would want to watch a 2nd time, unless of course it's being reviewed by Tom Servo & Crow on the set of MST3K ! :-)