The power of an idea. Just as Christopher Nolan's latest epic centers around this concept, so too does this review. Inception is a completely new and original idea - no small feat in a Hollywood overflowing with sequels, reboots, and retreads. Over the past fifteen years, Nolan has proven himself to be a fine director blessed with the ability to craft epic thrillers with no shortage of intelligence, style, and technical virtuosity. Much was made over 2008's The Dark Knight and rightly so, but with Inception, Nolan has upped the ante in nearly every regard. This review will be extremely light on plot details as I firmly believe one should go into the theater with as little knowledge as possible - the experience of discovery is so great, that to take that away, even just a small amount, would be a cinematic travesty. I, for one, won't be the reviewer to do it. So if you must know all about the events that fill Inception's 2.5 hour run time, look elsewhere.There is so much that I could mention here that it's difficult to know where to start: the technical wizardry on display in nearly every frame, Hans Zimmer's bombastic score, and the murderer's row of acting talent all merit their own discussion. However, I must start by describing, in broad strokes only, the concept of Inception and how this complicated film springs forth from such a universal act - the act of dreaming. This is one of Nolan's many masterstrokes throughout the film. By creating a world in which perhaps 80% of what we see takes place in various dreamworlds, Nolan has captured the imagination of everyone. This is not The Matrix or eXistenZ, there is no computer knowledge or enthusiasm required; everyone dreams, and therefore every single member of the audience is able to live out various scenes of the film, because we know many of these rules. Do you ever remember the beginning of a dream? No. All of a sudden you are right in the middle of it. And how often do you wake up right as the killer is closing in or the bullets begin to tear through your chest? These are basic concepts ripped from the dreams of all the people in the world and then woven into a narrative so deep and complex that it makes The Prestige (Nolan's other masterpiece) seem as complicated as a Care Bears episode.
So yes, Inception is a complex film, but that doesn't mean that's it's inaccessible or overly complicated. Far from it, in fact. Those who simply wish to see a glossy heist movie will not be disappointed, just as those in search of something far deeper will leave the theater happily shaking their heads at the sheer enormity and ambition of Christopher Nolan's vision. This is the ultimate thinking man's blockbuster. It is filled to the brim with magnificent action set-pieces including a zero-gravity fight in a hallway and an assault on a snow-covered hospital fortress, both of which must be seen to be believed. The academy might as well send the best special effects and art direction statues right over to the Warner Brothers lot, as both categories should be a lock after the insane display put on by Nolan and his talented crew. It's an enormous task to translate dreams to the big screen, but Inception passes every test with flying colors. This is a beautiful movie, just as The Prestige and both Batman films before it.
I also must mention Hans Zimmer's score. Rumor has it that Nolan would not permit Zimmer to see the film as he wrote the score, and this only enhances the impact of Zimmer's deep and booming music. Not since Up and The Dark Knight, have I been this impacted by a film score. The music adds the perfect amount of grandiosity and emotion to the proceedings. Nowhere is this more apparent than the film's climax, a gut-wrenching finale that assaults the senses on every conceivable level.
Finally, I must mention the terrific ensemble cast of Inception. Utilizing many actors he has worked with before, Christopher Nolan has brought together what is arguable the greatest cast in years and there is not a dud in the bunch. Leonardo Dicaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine, and the list goes on. It's an astonishing collection of talent, each of whom is utilized perfectly. There is no filler here; no characters written simply to take up space. Everyone has a part to play and the actors fill these roles perfectly. Dicaprio once again proves that there is no one better working in Hollywood today. He has come a long way since his Titanic days, and just as in Shutter Island, he commands the screen with such vigor and intelligence that it's impossible not to identify with the guy.
Watanabe and Murphy, both villains in Nolan's Batman Begins again prove that they can absolutely command the screen whenever they want. Watanabe is an absolute marvel here, the guy's gaze could back down a pack of hungry wolves, I swear. Ellen Page continues to move away from her Juno persona and into young-Jodie Foster-territory and Marion Cotillard nails one of the most difficult roles in the film, portraying a figure both sympathetic and terrifying without seeming to break a sweat. Caine's role is not much more than a cameo, but damn he's good. I really don't know what else to say about Michael Caine, he just adds such gravitas to any film he lends his name to.
That being said, in my mind this movie really belongs to two actors: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tom Hardy. Both are young up-and-comers in the film world, and I'll be damned if this movie doesn't launch both to stardom. JGL has come a long way since his 3rd Rock from the Sun days, exhibiting the confidence and charm of a young Brad Pitt with the range to match. His zero-g hallway fight is a sight to behold and throughout the film, Gordon-Levitt exhibits a cool factor that would be unmatched ... if it weren't for Tom Hardy. Previously confined largely to British cinema and thus unseen and unappreciated in the states, Hardy exploded onto the scene with last year's Bronson and continues his ascent with a wise-cracking bad-ass role which he tears into with unabashed enthusiasm. Hardy was a crowd favorite at the screening I attended and I dare you to feel any different. The man simply oozes charisma and he possesses the physicality necessary for any role. Indeed, he will next be seen in the remake of The Road Warrior, and as much as I detest remakes, this one will be on my radar for one simple reason: Tom Hardy.
If you haven't figured it out by now, let me spell it out for you. I love this movie. As I left the theater I was struck by a sensation very rare for the jaded would-be film critic: pure and genuine excitement. I couldn't get Inception out of my head all night long and when I woke up the next morning, it was the first thing to enter my mind. I simply can not give any greater recommendation than that. Christopher Nolan has truly outdone himself this time around. Inception is a masterpiece, plain and simple. What an idea. 5 out of 5 stars.
