Inception – A Movie Review
Movies pertaining to dreams and intuitions are somewhat eccentric and usually need a little processing from viewers. Inception definitely falls under this class as it questions what’s real and what isn’t. You really can’t look away from this film, nor should you.
Generally, I remain wary about being over-excited over a film, or setting my hopes too high. However, I dare say this is one of the perfect movies I’ve seen, if not 99.9%. It is entirely convincing in various aspects – exceedingly stimulating, even more so than Avatar. Avatar’s something of the past; Inception’s an excellent and breathtaking movie that’ll keep people hyped up for a decade, at least.
[Warning: The rest of this article may contain spoilers.]
Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a world class thief, the best in the precarious art of stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb’s exceptional ability has made him a coveted player in the perfidious new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and has cost him everything he has ever loved.
Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. In his last assignment to possibly clear his name, instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea, but to plant one; something near impossible – an inception. The difficulty comes when certain people are trained to block their ideas from being taken. However, if they succeed, it could be the prefect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming.
The synopsis only covers the basis of this pretty complex plot and to describe it in detail will take away the magic and wonders of this movie. Besides, I don’t want to over-simplify it. Let’s just say seeing is believing – you have to check it out for yourself to feel the essence of it.
Furthermore, the special effects in this film were awe-inspiring, which is astonishing considering their simplicity when compared to Matrix-like movies. There were slow-motion shots; however, they weren’t of the impractical kung fu fighting sequences. There are certainly a lot of surreal sequences. Ironically, there’s very little green screen (process) here. The entire set was shifted with hydraulics so what you get is a normal reaction to what’s happening physically. They literally had to hold on to the set from sliding. Now, that’s Physics in action!
One of the most complicated sequences is actually at the last hour of the movie. Like layered cakes, every layer brings us different tastes and stimulates our senses. All I have to say is that is what this film is about, that is what makes this film so great: layers. You’ll know what I’m talking about if you have seen it for yourself.
But what are good special effects without a good plot? Even at that instant when the top is spinning, it draws your attention to what is insignificant in everyday life. Nolan has definitely done it again. (Incidentally, he produced films like The Prestige and The Dark Knight.) If Nolan doesn’t get nominated for Best Director and/or Best Original Screenplay next Oscar, there’s seriously something wrong with the Academy.
This is some movie that one wants to watch a few times just to get the gist of. It’s an incredibly engaging movie which will certainly leave an impression even after you’ve left the cinemas.
BY CHAN YUEE SUN
Bending reality in Inception. Courtesy of IGN.com
Generally, I remain wary about being over-excited over a film, or setting my hopes too high. However, I dare say this is one of the perfect movies I’ve seen, if not 99.9%. It is entirely convincing in various aspects – exceedingly stimulating, even more so than Avatar. Avatar’s something of the past; Inception’s an excellent and breathtaking movie that’ll keep people hyped up for a decade, at least.
[Warning: The rest of this article may contain spoilers.]
Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a world class thief, the best in the precarious art of stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb’s exceptional ability has made him a coveted player in the perfidious new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and has cost him everything he has ever loved.
Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. In his last assignment to possibly clear his name, instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea, but to plant one; something near impossible – an inception. The difficulty comes when certain people are trained to block their ideas from being taken. However, if they succeed, it could be the prefect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming.
The synopsis only covers the basis of this pretty complex plot and to describe it in detail will take away the magic and wonders of this movie. Besides, I don’t want to over-simplify it. Let’s just say seeing is believing – you have to check it out for yourself to feel the essence of it.
Furthermore, the special effects in this film were awe-inspiring, which is astonishing considering their simplicity when compared to Matrix-like movies. There were slow-motion shots; however, they weren’t of the impractical kung fu fighting sequences. There are certainly a lot of surreal sequences. Ironically, there’s very little green screen (process) here. The entire set was shifted with hydraulics so what you get is a normal reaction to what’s happening physically. They literally had to hold on to the set from sliding. Now, that’s Physics in action!
One of the most complicated sequences is actually at the last hour of the movie. Like layered cakes, every layer brings us different tastes and stimulates our senses. All I have to say is that is what this film is about, that is what makes this film so great: layers. You’ll know what I’m talking about if you have seen it for yourself.
But what are good special effects without a good plot? Even at that instant when the top is spinning, it draws your attention to what is insignificant in everyday life. Nolan has definitely done it again. (Incidentally, he produced films like The Prestige and The Dark Knight.) If Nolan doesn’t get nominated for Best Director and/or Best Original Screenplay next Oscar, there’s seriously something wrong with the Academy.
This is some movie that one wants to watch a few times just to get the gist of. It’s an incredibly engaging movie which will certainly leave an impression even after you’ve left the cinemas.
BY CHAN YUEE SUN
