A rational ride through a dreamworld

Rating: 9/10 (21 July 2010)

Both Christopher Nolan and James Cameron had a rather lengthy film in them that was about a decade in the making. The difference between both is that Nolan focused on ideas and the crafting of a screenplay which he tries to breath into a comprehensible narrative whereas Cameron focused on technology and breathes it to life via a recycled a lengthy version of a childishly simplified story. Personally I'd take Nolan's story- crafting over Cameron's effects any day of the week, but does that mean Inception works?
What is used is a not very complex idea to create a world with its own rules and a dreamlike quality even though it doesn't feel dreamlike. Then again, dreams don't feel very dreamlike either. Everything looks removed from the real world while at the same time feeling very real. The crafted world doesn't feel like they're just special effects and there is a definite feeling of reality to the physically impossible. In this world unfolds a complex story wherein we explore various themes such as guilt, illusory happiness and the nature of reality. Although there is enough food for thought, it is not confusing in any way that would hurt the story. The story is told very neatly and visually, without extensive use of talking to explain the plot. Neither does it needlessly linger. Even with its 148min running time I don't think it took much longer than it needed (and I think most films take longer than they need to). The actual difficulty of the film would simply lie in the requirement for you to keep up. But you are rewarded for doing so.
Every time I watch a film I have a slight fear of what I'm in for. Sometimes it's a reason why I need to see a film a second time to really appreciate it. Watching a film is like going on a journey where you are lead through an experience that you are not likely to have in such an interesting and detached way as at the movies. Too often do I feel cheated when it all builds up to a form of idiotic propaganda. With Christopher Nolan, I feel in capable hands. Much like with Kubrick, I feel that everything is calculated and nourished. He explores his themes without preaching. Even when there are tendencies for it, his filmmaking is too removed to show it as anything more than an opinion. There is a reason for it being removed though.
Inception is a rational film above all else. When I say that, I mean that its beauty lies within the left side of your brain. As the story was unfolding itself, my emotional bond with the characters was not what kept me captured. Neither the stakes nor the opposition was ever truly personal and it wasn't the emotional catharsis as much as the solving of the "puzzle" that I was interested in. It's a form of intellectual (but accessible) ride. Even at its most emotional I felt an interest from an rational distance which I don't think was just me. So, although I should say the characters and their development is not the strongest feat of Inception I should also add that it's not the reason to watch Inception for.
It is rather unique being a big budget film about ideas and Inception explores them with thoroughness, an ambiguity and a resolution without making any simplistic statement. It doesn't treat its audience like they're a bunch of idiots and is a very rewarding experience for everyone that takes the trouble to go along for the ride.