Rating of
4/4
Inception review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 05/08/12
Viewing the movie again on DVD (2-disc special edition) never persuaded my fascination for its greatness. Dom Cobb was approached by Saito to implant a business idea. He recruits a potential architect named Ariadne, forger in Eames, Yusuf a chemist together with Arthur, his researcher. Saito asks a favor from Cobb to implant an idea. The picture’s premise was innovative with utilization of the terms such as the “kick,” “totem,” “limbo,” “maze,” “paradox” “projection” and “levels” were brought to a different perspective. From the idea of extraction, to the infiltration of Saito’s safe until the mind-bending conclusion, the film resonates in all aspects from plot, pace and storytelling. Score added to the suspenseful and extraordinary scenes. One of the most extraordinary action/suspenseful moments from the movie was the simultaneous action sequences between dream level 1, 2 and 3, the road chase, hotel fights and snowy location. Details of the effects were splendid from the blood of Saito floating in zero gravity, to the time of each dream level and usage of the totem. The lengthy bonus features include soundtrack, The Cobol job, Freud’s perception, dissection of dreams (even with the director himself), interviews from the cast and a peculiar sleepwalking case.
Screenplay was inventive and logical. A few noteworthy lines: Cobb – “An idea is like a virus. Resilient. Highly contagious. And even the smallest seed of an idea can grow. It can grow to define or destroy you.” “No, because I think positive emotion trumps negative emotion every time. We all yearn for reconciliation, for catharsis.” Mal – “Pain is in the mind.” Arthur – “True inspirations are impossible to fake.” Eames – “You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.” Themes of loss/acceptance (Mal and Cobb’s relationship bordered obsession of an idea and love), strained father-son relationship (between Maurice Fischer and Robert), regret, distinction of reality versus dreams, control of power, memory, gaining trust and friendship. Performances all around were convincing especially DiCaprio, Murphy and Watanabe. Visually, the set location and bending of reality were spectacular. A film where one create worlds/own gun, implant an idea, time is differential from the various levels and strained inner demons get healed, Inception delivers from beginning to end, also enjoyed for repeat viewings. These are enough reason to make it a classic.
