Cryptically described as a contemporary sci-fi action thriller "set within the architecture of the mind", this is director Christopher Nolan's follow-up to smash-hit The Dark Knight.
Leonardo DiCaprio is Dom Cobb, an expert in "subconscious security". He's a high-tech agent who steals ideas from his targets while they sleep, manoeuvring through their complex and surreal dreamscapes. Cobb's rare ability has made him both a coveted player in the world of corporate espionage, and an international fugitive. Now Cobb is offered one last job and the chance to get his life back. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: not steal an idea but to plant one.
His wife is played by Marion Cotillard, and Ellen Page is his intern sidekick. Joining them are Nolan regulars Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy and Ken Watanabe. The film was shot around the globe, including Tokyo, Los Angeles, Paris and London.
Christopher Nolan’s work has proved him an adept puzzle-maker here and world-builder there, talents that may not always lend themselves to box office success. Several times over now though, they have kept Hollywood’s tills ringing, and now with Inception Nolan has fused those various elements together for their maximum impact to date. There’s a bigger victory beyond that of the film’s financiers and creators to consider as well, a giant win for audiences and the degree to which filmmakers can respect their intelligence.
It’s hard to think of a denser or more complex blockbuster than Inception, especially one that so consistently refuses to abate from challenging those who watch it. From the opening frames it is a dizzying rollercoaster that relentlessly manipulates one’s senses, intellect, and emotions, not letting up for some two and a half hours.
Nolan’s team of collaborators overachieve throughout, be they cast members (DiCaprio grabbing his tragic character by the scruff of his neck, Juno’s Ellen Page surprisingly comfortable playing at this level, and Toms Hardy and Berenger great in supporting roles), Hans Zimmer and Johnny Marr’s work on the intense and incessant score, or longtime cinematographer Wally Pfister.
Basically, Inception’s pretty damn-near perfect and demands to be seen before you hear too much about it. This isn’t a film to be discussed so much as experienced, and while it certainly doesn’t require a repeat viewing to comprehend, I’m going back a second time very, very soon.
By Steve Newall, Flicks.co.nz
The movie is Spectacular!.I never agree with critics when it comes to movie but I'm agreeing with them on this one. Inception totally deserves those Academy awards as well as all the other awards this movie has won!!.Adding Academy nominees Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page is a big bonus!
Movies are like dreams. INCEPTION plays with the dream theory, spinning illusion assuredly as the director's pevious THE PRESTIGE. Wonderful soundtrack, editing, effects and cinematography and a great cast (including the great Tom Hardy). One that benefits from repeated viewing. Yes, it's easy to pastiche (see SOUTH PARK's brilliant "It's like a taco wrapped in a taco.. in a taco") or COLLEGE HUMOR's pastiche online ("Inception actors don't understand Inception") - but then parody is the insincerest form of flattery, right?
Mind boggling and and confusing at the start... but awewsome!
Sorry,good affects but the point of the movie was about getting back to his family in reality only to turn out he's in his lala land. You really had to pay attention, as it switched a lot and keep track of his realty was hard. Went too long for the outcome. Felt like i lost 2 and a half hours of my life..sorry
This movie is brilliant. Visually amazing and a great story. Have heard people say that it is hard to follow, but if you pay attention, you will keep up just fine. I will say that the dvd release is disappointing. Given the interesting way that the movie was made, it would have been awesome for the standard dvd to include much more behind-the-scenes stuff.
Inception does a difficult thing. It is wholly original, cut from new cloth, and yet structured with action movie basics so it feels like it makes more sense than (quite possibly) it does.
This film gave me a bit of a headache, but oddly, not in a bad way. It was from concentrating so hard not to miss anything while trying to take it all in.
Sometime in the near future, some clever clog has invented the device that will let us share our dreams with other people, or more sinisterly, to invade those of someone else.
Like The Matrix mated with Synecdoche, New York — or a Charlie Kaufman 007. To paraphrase Casino Royale’s Vesper Lynd, it’s a meaningful pursuit in a summer of disposable entertainments. With physics-defying, thunderous action, heart-wringing emotion and an astonishing performance from DiCaprio, Nolan delivers another true original: welcome to an undiscovered country.
In a summer of remakes, reboots and sequels comes Inception, easily the most original movie idea in ages.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 22nd Jul 2010.
Release date: July 22nd 2010.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
