Calm down...this movie is good but forgettable

Rating: 6/10 (19 July 2010)

WARNING: I GIVE AWAY THE ENDING SO IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE FILM YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Saw Inception last night and have to say that this is not the classic that many are making it out to be. First let me say that there is nothing at all wrong with the film making. It is well acted, directed and written. The set pieces are flawless and the chain of events that unfold are interesting to watch and not at all that difficult to follow if you pay attention. It is visually stunning at times as well as engaging on a visceral level. I say see it but don't go in with high expectations and enjoy it for what it is, a summer action movie.
I won't get into too many details of the movie as that would take up too much space. My issue with the film are as follows:
1. For a movie that is about dreams and the sub-conscience this movie is too logical, too linear and makes too much sense for its own good. 2. Inception positions itself as a serious movie and yet the only question at the end of the movie is about the movie itself, what state of reality is Dicaprio living in? (I was already questioning that very early in the film, seemed obvious) The ending is very M. Night Shamalyan and a cop out. A lot of what is on the screen goes back to Plato, Frued, Jung etc. and there are many movies that have handled similar topics with more creativity and depth. (See 8 1/2, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Schynecdoche NY and even The Matrix left me with more to think about) 3. A movie like this should leave one asking big questions and lead to big discussions. A thoughtful Hmmmmmm followed by weeks, maybe months of thought, should follow the cut to black. Instead many in the theater let out an audible gasp. I overheard people asking is Dicaprio in reality or is he still in a dream? The fact that the question posed is about the movie itself is quite frankly boring, pedestrian and far too common of movies now a days. The audience reaction was not their fault though as this is pretty much all there was to ask. I can't answer why Direcor/writer Nolan did not deal directly with bigger thoughts/themes when they are alluded to throughout. A nod in the direction of depth is not the same thing though and in the end my yawn was drowned out by the gasps. And my sense is that the gasps led to nothing more than the exits.