Movie rating: 5 Star

Inception

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Dom Cobb, a thief who specialises in stealing ideas direct from the mind of those who came up with them - while they sleep. Living life essentially on the run, he's given the chance to return home to America and see his children, if he can subvert his ability to steal ideas and instead implant one in someone's head. To do so he works with the few specialists who know how this almost-alternate reality works; his partner Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy's forgery expert, and Ellen Page's brilliant young architect. They must delve deep into a foreign mind that will prove more dangerous than any other job they've ever had.

Innately multifaceted, with a plot that takes actual concentration to follow, Inception is the first film in a long time to engage the viewer as much intellectually as it does visually. Almost every scene is part of some complicated puzzle - the visual aspect of which is difficult to comprehend never mind covey - yet Nolan doesn't baulk, and instead pushes the boundaries of what CGI can do while never overshadowing the context of the core story. The effects here aide the plot. There are sequences that will literally cause your jaw to drop; it's really the type of stuff that has never before been committed to celluloid, and a marketing team have, for once, conveyed that tone wonderfully in the trailers. Dreams by their very definition are a subjective and singular experience; finding that indefinable middle ground and taking in an audience requires an immense magnitude of skill.

Watch: Inception

Of course if we haven't got people or a plight we care about then none of this would matter. DiCaprio has proved himself a wily selector of material before, and the quintessential Hollywood leading man plays another character full of regret and inner torment - he's predictably great as are the supporting cast. Levitt does spend a lot of time explaining what's going on, but also has probably the stand-out sequence of the film; while Page's character acts like the audience, asking questions when applicable and filling in the blanks herself. Tom Hardy almost steals every scene he's in, and Cillian Murphy makes a small, but crucial impact as the man at the centre of it all.

Without a doubt Inception will take multiple viewings to fully digest. It is a film that respects its audience completely and asks them to play along and stick with it, as it continually digs deeper, until its emotional climax. A remarkable and stunning piece of work.

Review by Mike Sheridan | 09:00 | Friday 16th July 2010 | Movie Review

Comments

• jason_wren

  Great film that gets the viewer's brain ticking over. It is one to watch more than once!

  Posted 21:20 | Mon 11th Oct 2010

• johhny

  This is a very enjoyable film, with the complexity of the plot, only adding to the films appeal. however I'm sceptical at some of the explanations. Is our brain really that accurate at multitasking that the "action" of different level dreams is going to continue in proper sequence.

  Posted 16:10 | Thu 30th Sep 2010

• Mayo4Sam

  What a great film, best you'll see this year

  Posted 09:50 | Tue 12th Oct 2010

• Kopite

  If u havnt seen tis yet ur off ur chuck!

  Posted 21:01 | Mon 11th Oct 2010

• Spud

  One of my fave films this year, its fairly complex and its defo not one for a hangover sunday but so so enjoyable, gets you thinking for long after you've left the cinema. Try catch it on the big screen.

  Posted 11:38 | Tue 12th Oct 2010

• Kevin

  I think it's time to go see this movie again. I'm sure there will be some details I missed the first time and it is worth a second viewing!

  Posted 19:41 | Tue 12th Oct 2010

• Ozkennard

  Thought this was a great movie. Spend the rest of the night trying to explain it to my girlfriend whom just didnt get it - poor me!

  Posted 14:19 | Tue 12th Oct 2010

• dave

  best film ive seen all year. deffo go see it in the cinema if you can. way more enjoyable that way.

  Posted 14:18 | Fri 22nd Oct 2010

• fiesty

  great show ,Im surprised there arent more comments on this .Maybe a lot of people dont want to actually think when they go to see a film?

  Posted 03:05 | Thu 21st Oct 2010

• chell

  Great movie, great acting, GREAT GRAPHICS!! i loved this movie thought it was brill, was a bit confused in the middle and at the end it all came together but still left me and THE WHOLE CINEMA puzzled!! MUST SEE movie!!

  Posted 19:47 | Tue 12th Oct 2010

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