A visual and psychological buffet

Rating: 9/10 (25 May 2019)

A story so esoteric and complex will always leave itself open for those looking for plot holes and inconsistencies. I've read many a negative review describing these things that are, admittedly, not without merit. The naysayers have lots of good points, but I'll also argue that, considering them as I watch I this movie for the umpteenth time, for every point that removes a brick, I can easily come up with a counterpoint that replaces it (and this is one of those truly rare films that shows you something new with each viewing, making you discard one thing for another and then switch it back again).
In my humble opinion, Inception earns the hard won award for the most original and thought-provoking film I may ever see, topping even The Matrix in its ambition. I have yet to revisit this masterpiece and not consider at least one aspect or idea I may or may not have missed the previous time. Much like my own most enjoyable recurring dreams, it seems to mutate subtly to feel ephemeral and, at the same time, everlasting in its impact. I struggle to think of how anybody could have thought of something that seems as fantastical, bombastic and so rooted in what I can consider possible. It's like a philosophical epiphany. Or the most magnificent drug-induced trip.
I'll admit, it is difficult to fully relate to the characters as the dialogue almost exclusively revolves around explaining the intricacies of the physics and logistics of being a dreamworld mercenary and, as long as it's runtime ends up being, it hurries from one development to the next, forcing you to keep up or fall behind. Such is the drawback of making something of this magnitude. Then again, you never remember the minute details of a dream, only how you felt and what you were trying to seek out. And that is exactly what Di Caprio's character is trying to accomplish. The special effects do a wonderful job of distracting from this nagging feeling, as well as another pitch perfect score from Hans Zimmer.
Movies are essentially an escape, at least for me because that's what I crave. This is the closest to a waking dream I've ever been.