A radical notion of what film can achieve at its full potential.

Rating: 9/10 (17 July 2010)

Once upon a time in the mind of a master, this film was only a dream. A dream waiting to be brought onto paper. Then came the hard part; bringing that dream alive on screen. The film itself was a dream to Nolan and later became a dream to us. A shared dream that cinema can still offer more than a couple of explosions and a rehashed storyline. A dream that we can still sit in a movie theater and have absolutely no idea what will happen next. A dream that we can be amazed and have a film penetrate so deeply into our own minds. A radical notion of what film can achieve at its full potential. We can still be thinking about it days after we leave the theater and then come back for more. That we can still be challenged as an audience to think, while this story is being told to us. This is a dream so big that only a few film makers can still manage to properly execute. May I say; this is a dream come true.
After the huge success of "The Dark Knight", Christopher Nolan received a blank check to do whatever he wanted with. Could he have made a better choice? I don't think so. He decided to revive an old idea. This idea is that a blockbuster can be more than dumb fun. That has been achieved here. Nolan takes us into our own minds and explores the dynamics of a dream. A very relatable topic because we have all experienced the sensation. From here we have a story that is so unpredictable and takes us all over the place. Not because of any cheap twists of turns but because it is so intelligently woven. Hans Zimmer's score is brilliantly crafted and fits perfectly to every scene. The music will also create any mood it needs to. The visual effects, set pieces, and locations are just all out beautiful. With some of the best actions scenes I've ever seen. The editing and fast pace story telling adds a sense of rush to the film which is essential to the plot. The direction is fantastic in action scenes and even small scenes of dialogue, which is also great.
Not to be forgotten is the wrenching emotional backstory of Cobb and Mal. With turns that I did not see coming because they're so well hidden and eventually so well told. Combined with the phenomenal performances of both Leonardo DiCaprio and Marion Cotillard we have something that drives a different aspect of the film. Joseph Gordon Levitt shines and now in what is destined to become a classic, innovative, action film scene. Ellen Page proves to be versatile actress and captures a great sense innocence in her character. At the same time she displays the emotions of the audience. The amazement and confusion felt towards the idea of invading others minds and dreams. Wanting to learn more about it but unaware of the dangers. Cillian Murphy had a surprisingly great performance as a neglected son and heir to his father's company. Ken Wantanabe was extremely good as usual. Tom Hardy and Dileep Rao were both very strong members of the supporting cast. Tom Berenger was also good where he was needed.
An amazing cast, mind blowing visuals, intelligently written story, beautiful direction, and non-stop thrills make for another Chis Nolan masterpiece. He managed to do something thought impossible, bring originality back to the mainstream. From head to toe this movie spells perfection though it comes through a cost. The cost being that the average movie goer, dumbed down by the affects (and effects) of Michael Bay and company, will not understand this movie. It's nothing incomprehensible it just requires your full attention and many aren't use to movies making them think. Anyone with half and will to use it shall understand it in full. It may take a second viewing but most likely you will want to revisit the film. This is among the best movies I've ever seen. It is the full and complete film experience, the way it was meant to be. Inception is set to be a classic for science fiction, heist movies, actions, and mind-benders. This is a reminder to me why I love cinema.
Final Rating: 10/10