Inception

Release Date: Jul 16, 2010 

Runtime: 2 hr. 22 min. 

Director: Christopher Nolan 

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine.

The conception of ‘dream versus reality’ has often been the premise of brilliant films alike, but never has one been told as comprehensively as this before. Enter the latest creation from the mind of Christopher Nolan who has built a formidable reputation for himself over the last few years. Following his illustrious success with “The Dark Knight,” Nolan ambitiously offers his take on a surrealist’s view of cognition and its consequences. “Inception,” a cerebral-heist and sci-fi action thriller, delves into the subconscious mind where ideas can be ‘extracted’ or created. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the protagonist, Dom Cobb, whose occupation requires the former and eventually the latter. Along with his team of talented ‘dream sharers,’ Cobb races against time as he battles his inner-demons and attempts to complete a seemingly impossible mission. Perhaps the most profound aspect of the film is time itself and its correlation to the dream state. Nolan does a terrific job in establishing many of the conditions we experience during our nighttime fixation, while simultaneously blowing it out of proportion. The acting is superb, whereas the cinematography is eye-popping. The only setback comes in the form of the story and how quickly it unravels. As seemingly simple as the job appears, the complexity of the plan is what requires broad attention. The film becomes a paradox within itself, as ideas twist and form well beyond our mental capacity. And yet, Nolan allows room for subjectivity on our part, as we piece together the story and ultimately deduce the conclusion. As the screen fades to black, you can’t help but wonder if this world we live is merely a figment of our imagination or an alternate reality in which there is no escape. Without a doubt, one of the most original and best films of the year. 

Rating: 4½ stars