Inception



Describing this film a difficult task.  The basic premise is based on the idea that technology exists for people to consciously enter other people's dreams.  Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is a very skilled dream navigator and uses his skills to extract information from powerful people.  When a powerful Japanese business man, Ken Watannabe, wants Cobb to plant information in the mind of a rival business man, Cillian Murphy.  With the help of his sidekick and a few very capable others, Cobb agrees to attempt.  What ensues is a mind-bending, as well as science-bending, adventure full of action, suspense, and surprise.

Ah Inception.  This summer blockbuster is another example of writer/director Christopher Nolan's signature genius.  With cult classic thinky films such as Memento and The Prestige as well as super-power blockbusters Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, Inception is a brilliant marriage between the two.

The visuals in this film are spectacular.  From the seamless special-effects to the vast and varied landscapes this is certainly what we have come to expect from Nolan.  this is a beautiful expression of a very unique "what-if" scenario.   After seeing this film, the first thing you will want to do is see it again.  Films of this type are usually full of gaping plot and logic holes that really draw form the overall appeal of this film.  Although the holes are inevitably there, they are small and do not distract the viewer. 

There are two criticisms I have o this film.  One is that I felt the love story was a tad forced.  The only parts I felt drag are the scenes between DiCaprio and his on-screen wife Marion Cotillard.  Althea the wife's presence is necessary for plot reasons, I felt the emotion was lacking.  That leads to my second criticism which is that the characters are adequately likable but not multidimensional.  None of the characters surprise you or d some contrary to what you would expect with the possible exception of Arthur played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt who I felt stole the film.  I believe it is because of the characters' flatness that makes the love story seem a little forced.

Entertainment-10- I can't imagine a viewer not being fully engaged, although beware some might get confused if you don't follow very closely.

Award-Worthy-7-  Although technically innovative and intellectually stimulating, as I said the characters do not undergo any true transformations.  Also although the film makes the viewer think, it makes the viewer think about the film, not life or society or some other truth of humanity.