2010: The Year in Film: Inception Review

The most eagerly awaited movie (by me and most people whose opinion I would trust..) of the summer, and maybe the year is upon us, and let me be among the first to say it does not disappoint. Via some Prop Joe type scheming by one BD, several of us scored passes to an advance screening of "Inception" on Monday night. Yes, I was incredibly pumped, and was completely glued to the screen for the entire runtime. Christopher Nolan is one of the most gifted and original talents in Hollywood today, and in much the same way as James Cameron saved 2009 by bringing in a breath of cinematic fresh air and reminding so many of us why we love movies, Chris Nolan is seeking to do the same thing for 2010. This is a blockbuster for the mensa crowd, if such a thing is possible - and only the man who resurrected Batman and brought us two of the 3 or 4 best comic book movies of all time could be given this kind of budget and trust by a studio to make such an ambitious, massive and ultimately rewarding spectacle. Chris Nolan has dealt over and over with altered states of reality, what our perception of that reality can mean for the individuals affected, and unique narrative structures that are truly experiences for the audiences. In much the same way that "The Prestige" unfolds much like a magic trick, Inception unfolds like an intricate maze or puzzle, one whose interlocking parts prop it up. If you pulled one thread it would all unravel, but therein lies the beauty of it all - the intricate, layered narrative unfolds perfectly and results in a truly unique, incredible experience, possibly unlike anything I've ever seen in a theater.

This movie is basically impossible to describe - it needs to be seen to truly be understood, I can't wait to see it again so I can finally get my mind around it. But here's a start - basically, the film deals with a new kind of espionage, one in which people enter dreams in order to steal ideas from an individual's subconscious. These intruders are not welcome in an individual's subconscious, which can turn hostile if their presence is too overt. Inception is part spy movie, with the intrigue, exotic locales and backroom deals, part heist flick, with the "assembling the team" scenes and unique skills, and part sci-fi Matrix-esque exploration of consciousness. Immaculately written, constructed and shot - this is a film made by incredibly skilled and competent people. Every single shot looks incredible and very real - even if that shot is a huge skyline collapsing into the sea or Paris folding over on itself. As the characters enter peoples' dreams, it becomes difficult for them, and for the viewer, to discern between the dreams, and the eerie sense of "what is reality?" pervades the whole endeavor.

The acting is more than strong. Leo is showing why he's hands down the best actor under 40 in Hollywood, his sense of pain, anxiety and dread perfectly tinges the entire picture, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is coming into his own, Ellen Page is going to be a hell of an actress, Marion Cotillard is enchanting, Ken Watanabe is one of the more understated actors working today, Tom Hardy is strong, and Cillian Murphy is great as the "mark" - if I have one cast-related complaint, it's that we could have used more Michael Caine, but hey - the guy is a favorite of mine.

I have minor complaints, but just three of them - 1.) the film slightly drags towards the very end, 2.) not enough michael caine, 3.) sometimes the action feels needlessly over the top. Those are seriously my only complaints. Those are legitimately my only criticisms, and yes - they are extremely minor

This is not a lighthearted fun popcorn flick. This is a heady, brilliant, complex film that has a lot to say and says it in truly remarkable fashion. Everyone involved is on the top of their games here. Immaculately shot, outstanding, ground breaking writing, great acting by an outstanding, clearly motivated cast and a truly original and intelligent story - such a rare thing among big-budget hollywood flicks today. I feel like this review hasn't done it justice - but once you see it you'll understand, it is truly hard to put into words - I have two options, either type 5000 words and completely outline the plot while spoiling everything, or stay frustratingly vague like I am right now and just recommend the flick as strongly as I can. I can say without hesitation that this is absolutely the best movie of the year, is probably Nolan's best (no small order), and is quite possibly the best movie I've ever seen in the theater. I cannot (literally cannot) wait until I see it again, and am telling you, if you care about movies at all, go and see this one.

I'm tentatively giving this one a 9.2, and you'd better believe when I do the "Best of the Decade" list for '10-'20, this one will be right there. This, folks, is why I love the movies. Thanks, Chris Nolan, for giving a damn, and having the courage to make this kind of movie when it would have been easier to just jump right into Batman 3. I truly appreciate it.

9.2/10