MOVIE REVIEW: Inception

Positives

1) Inception is unique

After watching this film, I have questions. Questions that are worth asking and only by thorough research can there be ‘real’ answers.

2) Intellectually well-written script

The main characters are using terms such as subconscious projections, catharsis, a dream within a dream, etc. and when I arrived home, Inception subconsciously coerced me to flip the pages of my college textbooks.I also need to browse Mr. Wikipedia to satisfy my deepest curiosity.

3) Awesome visual effects

I cannot forget the method of editing used in the scenes in layers of dreams where Cobb and his team are about to dismantle the business empire of Mr. Fischer’s father. Inception deserves an Oscar’s nod for Best Picture, Best Cinematography and Best Story.

All the actors also deserve big kudos. Truth is; I am only familiar with two names: Titanic’s Leonardo Di Caprio and Juno’s Ellen Page. Yet, it is hard to ignore others’ performances especially Cabb’s deceased wife (Marion Cotilard) and Arthur- the Point Man (Joseph Gordon-Levitt).

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Source: IMDB Quotes

Cobb: I can’t stay with her anymore because she doesn’t exist.

Mal: I’m the only thing you do believe in anymore.

Cabb: I wish. I wish more than anything. But I can’t imagine you with all your complexity, all your perfection, all your imperfection. Look at you. You are just a shade of my real life. You’re the best I can do; but I’m sorry, you are just not good enough.

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The whole experiment is also made for Cobb. He needs to perform this experiment for his own good. This experiment can help him move on with all the happy and sad memories he had with his wife. The real life was not supposed to be lived in the web of dreams. The real life is all about courage to let go of your past.

4) It reminds me of:

*** LOST-TV Series

Due to its style of bringing-more-questions-than-answers type of delivery

*** THE MATRIX

It makes me wonder what if there’s really a world beyond the limits of our senses

*** VANILLA SKY

The concept of dreams gets even more complex in Inception

5) Confusing ending

There are numerous matters that are worth discussing. I seem to expect a cliff-hanger ending and it happened. It’s a given part but there is no clear answer to support it.

Is Cobb still dreaming or is he truly in real world with his children? Why he still chose to spin the top when he arrived home? So, if he choose to spin the top, it’s just right to say his children are only his subconscious projections.

Negatives

• Until now, I can not understand how subconscious projections are linked in dreams. Projection is an unconscious defense mechanism which means you are foisting off unfavorable attributes and emotions to other people and it sounds to me, I did not get the answers I want while watching the film. Maybe I was not paying attention well, or the story over-complicates Freudian Dream Theory. To stop the debate inside my head, I just need to read, read and read more analytical reviews.
• If all the events inside their dreams are a product of their “subconscious projections,” why can’t they have the ability to control it? Is it right to say the subconscious mind is powerful? Perhaps yes. Perhaps it’s not. While in the limbo, Cobb controlled his projections and allowed the memory of his deceased wife to go, why can’t the others in his team?

Overall Rating

Inception is the type of sci-fi movie that can be written by an extraordinary writer (Christopher Nolan). His ability to link complex ideas into 148-minute motion picture is rare. Therefore, I am giving it 5 of 5 stars.

Photo Courtesy of: IMDb