A Original Blockbuster

Rating: 9/10 (24 July 2010)

By Mindself
When it comes to studio blockbuster tent poles, this summer of films are filled with remakes, sequels, and adaptations of mediocre material. The public is itching for some sort of originality and volume, something to grasp and talk about in years to come. Almost ten years ago Christopher Nolan's Memento got critically acclaim for it's dark tale of obsession and themes of scarred memories. It also had a unique narrative mixed with a film noir style. After a decade of memorable films such as Insomnia and The Prestige, and the highly successful Batman film, The Dark Knight from two years ago, Christopher Nolan is now becoming a prosperous and renowned director in Hollywood. In my opinion he's one of the best directors in the past decade. In his latest effort, Inception, Christopher Nolan took those reoccurring themes of obsession and scarred memories and gave us again an unique narrative and style but this time he applied it with a summer blockbuster budget of $150 million (15x more than the budget of Memento) while satisfying the anxious moviegoers.
Inception is an unconventional heist film that's about an elite group of people, where each individual has their own unique ability, so they can go into a person's dream and extract whatever information or secrets that they may have and a give it to their client for their own self gain. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays the main protagonist Cobb, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cobb's assistant, Ken Watanabe as their client, Tom Hardy who also assist Cobb, and Ellen Page as the rookie in the group. All in which acted very well but most notable is Tom Hardy who played the badass Forger. What is also noticeable is the vast differences in the cast, whether that be race, gender, age, or their many years in Hollywood. Each actor or actress brought an amazing performance for a film, that at times, is difficult to comprehend.
Visually it's stunning and memorizing. Nolan knows how to cater to the crowd and he does it elegantly and unforced. His use of CG is unique because in some cases, he has the viewer fill in the blanks with their imagination. He doesn't take the effects for granted though. He also used practical effects, especially in a specific set piece that Joseph Gordon-Levitt was floating believably. His cinematographer, Wally Pfister, is also great. He didn't waste one frame and captured it's dark but at times hopeful scenery of several international locations wonderfully. I can't remember a film that attributes several locations and insert it as one of the plot devices. Nolan does it in every act of the film. Also the music by Hans Zimmer, who him and Pfister worked in most of Nolan's work, gave one of the highest energetic and at times suspenseful piece of composition of music this year. He also captured the mood and exhilaration of the film for each set piece with his music.
As for the flaws, couple of the characters accents did get in the way of the dialogue. Also there's a couple of questionable plot holes or arcs in the story that wasn't explained well enough to make sense. Nolan didn't hesitate in creating a mythology within the film. When he established the rules, he does it so fast and well, we question what's actually going on at times. The opening scene is the best example for this. No doubt there's a significant amount of exposition in the film. In which, you have to pay attention to every detail of the film, whether it's explaining what's a person's expertise is or setting the rules within a dream.
In all, if you're looking for a great time and want an intelligent but incredibly visualize blockbuster, then Inception is for you. Don't get it twisted though, not to over hype Nolan or the films credibility, it's a great film just don't expect it to make a whole lot of sense at times. Like I said, you have to pay attention to it's detail. Also he has all the intentions to set forth in making the summer blockbuster we all wanted, but it's disguised as being one of the most original and intriguing films this year. As you leave, not only will you asked yourself what just happen, you would like to watch it again in case something's missed.
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