Film Review- Inception

It's odd when a movie like Christopher Nolan's Inception is released in the middle of summer. Summertime for the movie industry usually means the time when Hollywood rolls out big, expensive blockbusters ranging from the critically acclaimed franchises such as The Dark Knight and Toy Story 3 to the insanely expensive and stupidly annoying action films such as anything by Michael Bay. Inception is the odd film out because its not based on any franchise nor does the plot take a backseat to random crap blowing every nine-and-a-half minutes. Inception is a big-budget sci-fi film with excellent visuals and an extremely superb story that one might expect that this film was adapted from best-selling novel, only-surprise,surprise- it's not.

The main plot centers around Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), an "extractor", who's job is to enter people's dreams and steal thoughts, ideas and information from them. Cobb's abilities have cost him life as both a family man and an American citizen, but he sees a chance to return to his old life after one last heist with his team of specialists. That one last heist will be harder then any other heist however, since it will involve planting an idea, through a process called "inception", rather than extracting and thus we have our title for the film. So basically, it's like combining the old cliche "one last heist" film with Psychonauts, only less cartoony and more Christopher Nolan-y.

The writing of the film is exceptional. It takes that whole "one last heist" cliche I mentioned in the last paragraph and creates a unique concept and premise about it. At the beginning of the movie, we almost know nothing about the world yet the movie explains the rules of "extraction" and the whole laws of dreams and subconcious without going into a tiresome and lengthy exposition scene. The main story is also well-told. It has great pacing, giving us a little information at a time. It unveils Cobb's past while seamlessly blending that story along with main heist plot.

The visuals are something else to be commented on. They are what makes the dreams look like actual dreams. Effects from simulating almost zero gravity to turning the dream-worlds into something out of M.C. Escher's brain really serve to show off the special effects and make them serve a purpose to the plot at the same time. A thing that a few other directors should learn how to do.

Overall, Inception could be one of the best films of the year next to Toy Story 3 in my opinion. It serves it's purpose as a big-budget sci-fi film while still having an air of sophistication about that even the most stuck-up of film critics go for. It's well-written, has stunning, dream-like visuals (obviously), excellent acting by DiCaprio and others of the cast and a unique premise. I think there is a flaw or two in this film, but wherever it is, I sure can't find it. This film is a much needed breath of fresh air from the glut of sequels, remakes and adaptations that spill out of Hollywood these days. It's original, it's fresh and since Christopher Nolan spent a good decade writing and perfecting the script for this film, it is a devotion to creativity and the art of film-making and story-telling. This film must be seen by all who enjoy a good movie that can tell a spectacular story. It does not disappoint. Not at all.