Movie Review: Inception

Way back when, your author used to fancy himself a movie critic. And on occasion, some people he hasn't talked to in a while will immediately ask if he still reviews movies. Since he usually has to begrudgingly admit that he is still waiting tables instead, there will occasionally be movie reviews posted here at BMC—not necessarily new or even the most recent releases, but still technically reviews—just so he can say he indeed still bitches about what's getting too much/not enough attention. Reviews will offer a quick take that ends with a brief summarizing thought that, in the spirit of Metacritic or Sound Opinions, will be in green (denoting a positive opinion), yellow (mixed opinion) or red (negative opinion). And sorry, but no star-ratings or letter grades.

Today's review: "Inception," originally released July 8, 2010 in London.



THREE THINGS I LIKED:

1. GOOD LUCK FINDING A DIRECTOR TODAY AS AMBITIOUS CHRISTOPHER NOLAN — After The Dark Knight conquered the box office, the filmmaker certainly aimed to do something even bigger with Inception. If this were a smaller studio release, the level of structural depth here wouldn't be quite as surprising. But Nolan deserves praise just for treating his larger audiences more intelligently than most mainstream directors these days tend to.
2. IF ONLY MORE SUMMER MULTIPLEX FARE COULD BE THIS COMPLEX — Inception's dream-within-a-dream-within-a-dream unfolds on five different levels of reality, the type of film that many viewers will need a second viewing to take in more fully. Considering the amount of brain-dead franchise spin-offs and sequels we're subjected to every summer, Nolan's film feels totally refreshing.
3. THE EFFECTS WILL DAZZLE YOUR EYES ... — The previews offered a hint of what to expect, but Inception is filled with multiple moments of astonishing flair. Whether it's Paris folding onto itself or weightless characters fighting along walls or ceilings, the movie is rarely without some truly dazzling special effects.

THREE THINGS I DIDN'T:

1. ... BUT THE STORY WON'T TOUCH YOUR HEART — You may have noticed that I didn't touch at all on what the story in the movie is, but it's fairly secondary stuff—and hardly that emotionally involving. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) has typically made a living out of extracting secrets from people's subconscious when they're in a dream state, but his "one last job" will have him assemble a team to plant an idea in the head of a young energy magnate. No matter how deep into the dream sequences the team goes, however, Cobb can never shake the occasional appearance of his dead wife, Mal (Marion Cotillard). Between Cobb possibly reuniting with his two kids or the competing energy companies, neither possible outcome really resonated with me.
2. THE DIALOGUE COULD MAKE THE MOVIE'S TITLE SIMPLY BE EXPOSITION — When you make a movie this complex, of course, there's bound to be a little explanation. But in Inception, it seems as if every single scene involves one or more characters telling us what they're doing and what it's all supposed to mean ("A closed loop will help you control the levels of dream you create," "You're going to have to forgive yourself and confront her," etc.) without much deviation from just moving the story from one scene to the next. There's a reason you didn't hear much talk about possible acting Oscar consideration for any of the cast.
3. SURE HOPE YOU LIKE HANS ZIMMER — Whenever there is a lull in spoken words, Nolan sure does blare the film's score at most every opportunity. Uncle. 

25 WORDS OR LESS:

It won't put you to sleep by any means, but you might find yourself dreaming for something or somebody to care about.