Sean_Rhodes
"A Dream You Don't Want to Wake Up From"
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Christopher Nolan Creates a Dream Worth Watching...
-
Jul 16, 2010
- by woopak_the_thrill
- posted in Movie Hype
Rating:
+4
After the highly-successful “The Dark Knight” which defined the way comic book movies should be made, one wouldn’t be hard-pressed to expect nothing but the best from Christopher Nolan. “INCEPTION” has generated a strong buzz ever since the trailer debuted in previews and the worldwide web; after all, this film is written and directed by Nolan himself and with his “Batman” team assisting in the film’s production, it seems like the movie can do no wrong.
The film’s premise starts off real strong with a tight, taut, fast-paced narrative that is nicely put together and delivered with a carefully constructed approach. The opening act of the film delivers a lot of information and it is real imperative that its viewer be attentive to the film’s set up. It is a very determined approach, but to the inexperienced movie watcher, it may prove to be alienating. However, if you really do know what it is about dreams, you also see the film’s major misstep and there were some elements not fully explored. (I can discuss this via comment but I cannot go further with this observation without spoiling the film).
Dom and Arthur (Leonardo DiCaprio and Joseph Gordon-Levitt respectively) are two men who have a very important skill--they specialize in corporate espionage by stealing the information from the thoughts of their ‘mark’. Dom is the extractor while Arthur is the Point man. They ride the ‘field of dreams’ where they can extract the information or manipulate it out of their minds. The two are also on the run from their employer so they take it upon themselves to take on assignment of performing an ’inception’ which is the planting of an idea into the mind of another. This mission is financed by Saito (Ken Watanabe) and now the two are joined by a crack team of an architect (Ellen Page, Juno), a forger (Tom Hardy) and a chemist (Dileep Rao, Drag Me To Hell). But Dom’s past memories prove to be a major complication, as his subconscious memories of his wife Mal (Marion Cotillard) are intruding in this dream world which threaten the entire team’s lives and the success of this mission…
Christopher Nolan is one director who can keep his viewer on edge as to what would happen next. “Inception” borrows some elements of “The Matrix” and the Japanese anime “PAPRIKA” then puts it in a more believable context as in this dream world is applied to the world of corporate and political espionage. Nolan does carefully set the groundwork for this film, as the rules of the dream world are carefully brought into exposition. We learn what can be changed in this ‘fantasy world’, what are the rules for manipulation and how to go about changing a person’s idea or belief. “Inception” is carefully defined by Nolan, and it does work; it does bring the viewer into this world that is filled with wonder, as it establishes credibility in its storytelling. It makes for a real interesting film really, as we see the science of this film.
The film has an excellent way of expressing its story through dialogue and visuals. The special effects in the film were simple and yet it was real impressive. It is all because of Nolan’s steady hand in its direction, as he makes each key scene serve a purpose, each impressive effect to further make credible the rules of the “Inception”. The viewer is taken to different views of this dream world as we see a New York, a mountain fortress in a harsh snow-environment, and what they call is the third level. The film has a lot of action dispersed throughout the film and they are all handled with care, walking that line that makes it real impressive and yet having a sense of restraint that the visuals do not override the film’s plot. I loved the scenes with the revolving hotel, the gun battle in the snows cape (It would make Bond films blush) and when the ‘architect’ manipulates this dream world. I liked the way Nolan kept the film’s focus on its story rather than a grand display of technology. I do hope he keeps up this effort in trying to make intelligent filmmaking so Hollywood can wake up to the fact that movie-goers really enjoy enthralling storylines.
Despite the fact that the film pays more attention to its plot and dialogue that minimizes its characterizations, the cast does do quite well. Leonardo DiCaprio is as good as ever in his portrayal of Dom Cobb. Seems like this actor is mostly playing roles that display his talent for portraying characters that are a little imbalanced and he does do it quite well. Joseph Gordon-Levitt may well be in his best role since “the Lookout” as he plays Arthur with an edgy charisma that assists the film’s pace. Ellen Page is also quite good, her character is a little underdeveloped, but I rather thought it was nice to be left some details for the imagination. Cillian Murphy is also at home with this role; I have no idea why, I always associate him with this type of roles. The rest of the supporting cast was good, Ken Watanabe maintains that commanding presence that makes him light up a scene and even Michael Caine makes a brief appearance.
“Inception” is a film with a lot of ambition. It is smart, methodical, and bold; I have to say that Nolan and company did execute the film with amazing skill most especially from a technical standpoint. The film has a heart-throbbing soundtrack by Hans Zimmer, and the film is just so good from a visual standpoint; many thanks to the team that gave us Nolan‘s “Batman” films. I guess if the film had a flaw is that it can alienating since some elements moved too fast with a relentless assault of information that some casual viewers will barely make a connection in the film’s opening scenes; others may even say that there is just too much that went on with the movie that its editing feels a little uneven but I disagree. It does lack some solid character development (but each character does have a purpose) since the plot is highly favored in the film.
Despite some minor flaws, “Inception” is one film worth seeing in theaters. Its visuals are impressive; the action can be intense and stylish with an execution of brilliant restraint makes for a highly recommended film. Christopher Nolan delivers, but I advise everyone to keep their expectations low; this way you can be caught by surprise.Highly Recommended! [4 ½ Out of 5 Stars]
Hype Level: Christopher Nolan always generates high expectations. I guess the film does match the hype fans gave it.
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Let me start by saying i don't watch many movies, I'm not a big sci fi buff, and as I'm getting older, maybe I'm just getting a little crotchety. I'm very aware that by coming out and being the ONLY one Lunch who is giving Inception a negative rating, I'm opening myself up to a lot of questioning and judgment... but that's okay because I know the community will respect my differing opinion and not ridicule me for expressing it. So here goes: … more
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I like to watch a movie that keeps me guessing what is happening, why it is progressing the way it is, where it is going & what is going to happen next. Inception is one such movie. It keeps the audience in suspense and guessing, anxious to KNOW what is ahead. Dreaming is something that I had always been enchanted with all my life. It is through dreams that I see God the first time in my life! Yes, I’ve been fascinated by the reality of my dreams and the … more
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Stephanie's Favourite Movies: Inception What's wrong with this movie? Nothing, that's what. This is a perfect movie, there's nothing wrong with it. I appreciated that it wasn't pandering to the lowest common denominator like most summer blockbusters do. It actually took a few brain cells to keep up with it. Of course, you don't have to be a genius to watch it and enjoy it, but you have to be kind of smart to understand it. It's that rare summer … more
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review by Stephanie_Smith19.
January 22, 2011
Inception is a rare breed of movie. Firstly, it came out in July and thus can classify as a summer blockbuster, and secondly, it does not insult the intelligence of the audience and actually takes a few brain cells to keep up with it. It's incredibly well-acted, it has an original story in a time when they are becoming harder and harder to come by, and it's a movie that will definitely be apperciated come awards time. It will probably win more awards for its technical accomplishments, and … more
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After the wild success of The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan reached the ranks of movie making freedom that so few directors reach. So what did Christopher Nolan do with his golden key? Made a movie he'd been wanting to make for ten years. Inception. A movie where your mind is the scene of the crime. It's big, it's complex, it's beautiful... and it's absolutely amazing. For those who are sick of adaptations, sequels and remakes, Inception … more
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Before you see Inception, grab your Gingko-Biloba or whichever new age vitamin/drug will quicken your synaptic connections. You're going to need it. You SHOULDN'T see Inception if you aren't prepared to push your brain into overdrive. You're going to be thinking and trying to sort things out from the opening sequence to the twist-ish ending. This film is, in essence, a quintessential action flick. The special effects are mind-blowing. The constraints … more
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INCEPTION Written and Directed by Christopher Nolan Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard and Michael Caine Eames: If we’re going to perform inception, then we’re going to need imagination. I knew there was a good reason I fought so hard every night to hold on to my conscious mind and not let my unconscious mind take over. I’ve got to make sure no pesky extractors get in there to steal my highly … more
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Going into Inception was kind of a gamble for me as my friends and colleagues apparently know me better than I thought. I’ve been hearing this is the “one to check out” since the day it arrived in theaters this past summer and while my friends have once again proven spot-on with their understanding of the kind of fiction I enjoy, it is always worrisome when so much hype comes my way. I have to make a very conscious effort not to get swept up in it, as … more
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Listen to the some of the awesome Hans Zimmer soundtrack while reading: A film like Inception only comes along once a decade, and it's no surprise it took Writer/Director Christopher Nolan over ten years to polish the screenplay into its final form. The loud and frenetic visuals in the trailer all fall into place when you see the film, which represents a masterful blend of genres and ideas, some of which have been attempted before but never … more
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For months, just like everyone else on Earth, I've been hearing and seeing the buzz surrounding Christopher Nolan's newest film, Inception. However, due to time constraints caused by college and other personal matters, seeing the movie wasn't high on my list of priorities. Since I just got a mini vacation from college this week, I found some time to finally watch it, and I must tell you, the movie left me scratching my head. Now don't let that past sentence fool you. I wasn't … more
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William (woopak_the_thrill)
Please "Like" Film and Movies and Keep the Economy strong....LOL!! My Interests: Movies, Anime, History, Martial … more
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About this movie
Inception is a 2010 American science fiction film written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, and Michael Caine. DiCaprio plays Dom Cobb, a thief who extracts information from the subconscious mind of his victims while they dream. Unable to visit his children, Cobb is offered a chance to regain his old life in exchange for one last job: performing inception, the planting of an idea into the mind of his client's competitor.
Development began roughly nine years before Inception was released. In 2001, Nolan wrote an 80-page treatment about dream-stealers, presenting the idea to Warner Bros. The story was originally written as a heist film, inspired by concepts of lucid dreaming and dream incubation. Feeling he needed to have more experience with large-scale films, Nolan opted to work on Batman Begins, The Prestige and The Dark Knight. He spent six months polishing up the script for Inception before Warner Bros. purchased it in February 2009. Filming spanned six countries and four continents, beginning in Tokyo on June 19, 2009 and finishing in Canada in late November of the same year. Composer Hans Zimmer scored the film, using parts of Edith Piaf's song "Non, je ne regrette rien".
Inception was officially budgeted at $160 million, a cost that was split between Warner Bros. and Legendary ...
view wiki
Development began roughly nine years before Inception was released. In 2001, Nolan wrote an 80-page treatment about dream-stealers, presenting the idea to Warner Bros. The story was originally written as a heist film, inspired by concepts of lucid dreaming and dream incubation. Feeling he needed to have more experience with large-scale films, Nolan opted to work on Batman Begins, The Prestige and The Dark Knight. He spent six months polishing up the script for Inception before Warner Bros. purchased it in February 2009. Filming spanned six countries and four continents, beginning in Tokyo on June 19, 2009 and finishing in Canada in late November of the same year. Composer Hans Zimmer scored the film, using parts of Edith Piaf's song "Non, je ne regrette rien".
Inception was officially budgeted at $160 million, a cost that was split between Warner Bros. and Legendary ...
Cast:
Leonardo DiCaprio,
Marion Cotillard,
Lukas Haas,
Cillian Murphy,
Joseph Gordon-Levitt,
Ken Watanabe,
Ellen Page,
Tom Berenger
Director:
Christopher Nolan
Genre:
Fantasy,
Sci-Fi
Release Date:
July 16, 2010
MPAA Rating:
PG-13
Screen Writer:
Christopher Nolan
Runtime:
148 minutes
Studio:
Warner Bros. Pictures,
Syncopy Films,
Legendary Pictures
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The opening act would've taken me aback, but I guess I am used to Nolan's style of filmmaking. As me and Sean were talking about Nolan is all about ambiquity and lets his viewer be involved in putting together some of his story's elements. I'll check out your review a little later, I probably missed it because it's in another community; these days, seems like my time is being taken by this community LOL!