Inception is a film I wouldn’t have missed on the big screen. After seeing it yesterday, I decided that it is something I ought to watch on DVD (when it comes out in the format) over and over again to really appreciate the layers of nuances. I have a feeling it will prove to be similar to The Matrix experience — only after seeing it multiple times will the viewer realize how many things he missed the first time.
I wasn’t a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio. At least, not during the Titanic era. It wasn’t until I saw him in Catch Me If You Can
In short, because I have come to consider DiCaprio movies as well-chosen, I had high expectations of Inception. Some talkies parts were not as titillating as those in The Matrix (can anything compare, for instance, to Morpheus’ monologue when he first explained what the Matrix was or the tongue-in-cheek humor of The Merovingian in the restaurant scene in The Matrix Reloaded?). But then again, The Matrix is so full of religious and philosophical underpinnings, and Inception never pretended to be that deep.
Yet, Inception is just as mind-bending, you need to “free your mind” to appreciate it because nothing in it conforms to accepted beliefs of reality. And that’s the main reason why I liked it — it is daring in the way it questions accepted norms and ideas.
Without spoiling it for those who haven’t seen Inception yet, the story is about inducing and entering a dream. Not exactly new — just see the 1984 film Dreamscape — but definitely nothing even remotely similar to the crap that was The Nightmare on Elm Street. The exercise is mostly for stealing secrets from the minds of “dreamers” but when Saito (Ken Watanabe) hires Cobb (DiCaprio), he wanted something more — to plant an idea in the mind of the heir (Cillian Murphy) of his business competitor to dissolve the corporation he inherited from his father. A business sabotage, in plain terms. The process of planting the idea in a dream is called inception.
The visual effects are stunning — some were accomplished with the computer while others with such simple devices. For instance, imagine walking on a city street and the end of the the street suddenly curves upward and the flat world that we know becomes a sort of letter C where we can still walk normally and vehicles can travel without gravity issue. Computer-generated effects, naturally.
Now, imagine standing in a space with two huge mirror doors, both ajar, on either side. One mirror is pulled closed, and then the other, so that the two mirrors face each other. And you have a never-ending image of yourself standing in that limited space between the two mirrors. I went ooohh and ahhh with that scene. They’re just mirrors but the visual effect was fantastic.
The score was done by the now-legendary Hans Zimmer (I’ve been a fan since The Lion King) and, as with just about all of Zimmer’s work, the score enhanced — no, empowered would be a more descriptive word — every scene but did not overpower nor distract.
Yet, despite the unique story, the jaw-dropping visuals, the dreamy score and the stellar performance of a stellar cast, I don’t think that Inception is a film for everyone. If your idea of a “good film” consists of stuff like House of Wax, well, you’d probably doze off. But for those who are willing, and happy, to explore film genres beyond tried-and-tested formulas, Inception is a worthy experience.
P.S. A Matrix trivia: There’s a reason why “The Wachowski Brothers” later became known as “The Wachowskis.” One of the brothers decided to become a sister.
I knew Inception would be something different. It would be a good watch after seeing The Last Airbender.
I immensely enjoyed watching it. Totally glued to it.
My roommate has been egging me to watch it. I might just, after all the exams.
Don’t go with someone who talks incessantly while watching a movie. You’ll miss so much of the dialogues.
I haven’t watch the movie yet. And I’m expecting this one to be a good one. Just like what DiCarpio in “Blood Diamond” as I could only surmise. (He he he, why is it that I always think DiCarpio was the leading man or boy in the movie “Blue Lagoon”.)
We all know that movie producers, most of the time, are primarily interested in how much a movie will make (hah, is a decent plot important?). As far as the plot, casts, and marketing, I would say everything is flawless. Makeable lahat.
Officially budgeted at USD160 M and another USD100M(?) for promotion according to wiki and it has grossed USD21.6 M in its opening in 1,600 locations.
Parang destined to flop, IMO, if we’re going to base it on the opening day gross.
Factors that would make it a flop if their benchmark or target is something a little bit close to Avatar’s USD 2B++ or Titanic on gross earning. His co-stars (Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page) in the movie are injecting political themes in their promotional circuit. Referring to Dick Cheney and Sarah Palin as evil and stupid respectively, while offering nothing as proof.
I’m just reminded of a movie by Matt Damon Green Zone which flopped due to its political theme (anti US). Budgeted USD100 M + USD40 M and have grossed USD 38.8 M in US and USD 102.5 M worldwide. According to Universal Studio, it was a flop.
Just like Michael Moore’s “Capitalism: A Love Story” flopped.
“Referring to Dick Cheney and Sarah Palin as evil and stupid respectively, while offering nothing as proof.”
But aren’t the proofs public knowledge already?
It’s not a public knowledge but generally from progressive (kuno) folks (fringe?) in US of America who hate anything that has to do with conservatism. The same people who call themselves pro choice (their counterparts are the pro-life) as adherents to elective abortion and they don’t want to be called pro-abortion.
IMO, Sarah Palin will be a genius if we’re going to compare her with Obama who most of the time can’t even complete a sentence. Try googling Obama gaff youtube.
Cheney will be an angel if we’re going to compare him, again, with Obama. (If Al Qaeda wants to demolish US of America, they should better hurry because Obama is beating them to it) .
It is public knowledge how Cheney profited from the Iraq war. Res ipsa loquitur.
Haven’t you heard and read Palin’s interviews?
“Try googling Obama gaff youtube”
Sorry, I don’t judge a politician’s capacity based on Youtube. Same way I didn’t conclude that Bush was inept by reading jokes about him.
I’ve read a lot of her interviews during her political campaign and a lot of it was intentionally distorted by MSM. Specially the below one -
“When she was asked what foreign policy experience she can bring to the table, she pointed out that she can see Russia from her house, what a twit!!!” (They did not call Obama who does not know how many states the U.S. of America has a twit).
I’ve explained in your previous post in your blog what really did she say (and a lot more on other MSM distortions) -
http://casaveneracion.com/a-trophy-running-mate/
http://casaveneracion.com/lets-talk-about-politicians/
Watching the interviews is better. First hand. “Interpreted” news is no news.
Oh yes, I’m 100% in agreement with you.
These MSM – those newscrafters (Wapo, NYT) – intentionally omitted publishing the transcript of the interviews. They published their newscrafts in the news section to make it appear as news instead of printing it in the opinion section of the paper.
(One has to wonder why the controversial “climategate” was “never printed or aired” by the MSM. Now their latest dilemma is the “JournoList 400” . Trust me, they’re not conspiracy theory on the MSM’s bias – liberal bias to be more accurate).
The link I’ve cited were with the transcript of the interviews and everybody has a starting point to collaborate or demolish the links’ trancripts that I’ve cited.
Unfortunately, here in our country, I can access only the actual interview in the youtube. (Sometimes in C-Span)
My apology for being too OT.
And why Cheney is an angel compared with Obama -
http://geekonobama.blogtownhall.com/2008/09/02/obama_caught_red-handed_in_abortion_lie.thtml
i totally feel the same way about Leonardo DiCaprio! i found myself really enjoying his movies lately, but Titanic always flashes to one’s mind when his name is mentioned. So far, i like The Departed best.
Hubby is not allowed to watch movies, his job prevents him from doing so, so i guess no further comments from me until the DVD comes out.
I loved The Departed too.
“Hubby is not allowed to watch movies, his job prevents him from doing so…”
Oooohh, ouch. Sometimes, movies can be such good stress busters.
yeah, well… the bright side is… kuripot little me did the calculations and concluded that watching a dvd at home is so much cheaper than going to the cinema, with popcorn and all. hahaha!
Ako din, I’d rather watch DVDs from the comfort of my own home. About 4 of every 5 movies I promise myself I’d see, I’ve watched on DVDs. But some movies are really nicer on the big screen.
I haven’t had the chance to watch it yet, but I’m sure it will have at least 2 more weeks in the theaters. I’ve been reading lots of good reviews about it. I love your review! It makes me want to definitely see it.
Not sure how long it’ll last in the local theaters since people are exactly queueing up to see it. It wasn’t full on opening weekend.
i loved eames’ character. before he came out i was thinking what the hell do they need a forger for? but his character was rich and hardy’s performance was brilliant.
inception is my new favorite movie. i think hollywood came out with great movies for this summer.
More of this genre!
aye! more of leo’s well-chosen films and chris nolan’s seamless direction.
I can’t remember when the last time I saw a movie like this. By “like this” I mean one that makes you think and talk about long after you leave the theater. My wife and I saw it yesterday afternoon, and we were discussing our impressions through dinner. Then we picked up where we left off at breakfast.
While I’m sure you also got a “kick” (sorry, can’t help myself) out of the ending, did you notice what’s missing from the beginning?
You mean Mal’s reference to the oriental mansion as a construct of Cobb thereby implying that the “rescue” of Saito was only a dream?
Hmm. That’s interesting. But as I see it, going back for Saito was as real as rescuing Fischer, albeit at a different time and/or perhaps a different dream level.
Actually, my question was more about the technical style of Christopher Nolan. He cut out from the ending shot and let you draw your own conclusion while in the film’s beginning he removed the title sequence and immediately goes into the plot. (Sorry for the vagueness.)
Oh, but a lot of movies these days don’t show credits at the beginning.
I am not Di Caprio’s fan but I love his movies since Titanic. I am one of the few that thinks he was cheated of an award due him just because he was then a new face.
I have yet to watch Inception but I already feel I that will like it very much. I have enough troubles of my own that I believe I had been through only in dreams but nobody believes me even my wife. But that is another story. I’ll just enjoy the movie.
the inception is a breather.. i have had enough of the corny vampire antics and recycled plots be it magic or 3g or what have you.. thanks for the review ms. connie! i was really meaning to watch it over the weekend but something always comes up.
Blood Diamond, The Departed and now Inception! Well done Leo for choosing these amazing projects. Napa-clap ako at the end of the movie
Watched the movie yesterday with hubby & kids. We all really enjoyed it; one of the few movies that you really discuss after watching.