Very Good Sci-Fi with Two Big Problems

Rating: 6/10 (5 January 2020)

"Inception" is a clever film on many levels (that's an inside joke to anyone who watches it), but, for me personally, it had two huge problems.
First, let's start with the positives, one of which is exploring the consequences of what might be possible if it were possible to directly get into someone's mind (neuroscience is already indicating that this may be possible to some degree), along with just general philosophical questions about the fundamental nature of reality.
Second, the special effects really are special throughout this entire film. They're pretty much flawless, huge in scope, and segue from scene to scene with total smoothness. Whether or not the convoluted plot actually works logically would take me hours with a white board or something to figure out. I'm assuming the screenwriters did this, and it really makes some kind of sense. Just don't ask me to explain the whole thing.
Now for the two big problems for me. First, the motivation that put this hugely twisty plot into motion seemed skinnier than a skeleton. Something about energy, a white guy, and a Japanese guy. This is what you call a "MacGuffin" in the film-making business. Old-style Jame Bond "Hidden Volcano Island" movies used to have intrinsic motivations thousands of times more complex than this movie. I can't help but think that someone stroking a purring, fluffy, snow white cat would have added an awful lot of clarity to this film.
Second, I find the presence of Leonardo Di Caprio to be a major problem in movies like this. The movie relies on us accepting that his character has deep, troubling, emotional baggage and scars. Yet, none of us can't know that in real life he's constantly flying around the world in private jets exploring super-young super models on super yachts in exotic locales, while periodically scolding the rest of us about our shameful carbon footprint, all the time leaving one behind himself that's larger than the U.S. Sixth Fleet. I simply can never suspend disbelief coming from him in this type of role where his real character is at such odds with the one he is depicting on the screen. Like Ben Affleck and a large number of today's actors, their off screen activities are so egocentric and distracting that they wind up significantly affecting how well I can forget who they are in onscreen roles.
Summing it up, I'd say that "Inception" is a slightly over-rated film, but it's still quite clever with non-stop action and continuous brainteasers. Especially if you're immune to the "Di Caprio" effect and like Sci-Fi, this could be an excellent movie to watch. It runs for around about 150 minutes, but only feels around 120. I've put in my two cents, now it's you're call.