With
'Memento',
he bent minds with intricacies, with'*The
Prestige'*,
he showcased his consistency with finesse and intellect, with'*Batman
Begins'*,
he re-introduced a Hero from dark ravines, with'*The
Dark Knight', *he
made iconic history in evil's greatest form and now; with
'Inception',
he not only affirms his distinction as the most innovative and
compelling film maker of our time but also epitomizes the best of
Hollywood's intellectual, visual, graphic, technical, artistic and
performing capabilities.
His work is by no means
inspiring because you simply cannot align your intellect with his
imagination.
'Inception'
perplexes on two main fronts: First, its mind twisting plot that
challenges you through a maze of incredulous events and Second, the
ability of the film to visually delineate all the endless
possibilities of Nolan's intricately crafted dream world. “No
way!. did they *really
show
a train going through streets of Los Angeles?”
Nolan
assumes that you've come prepared so without even saying'Ready?',
the film takes off into the subconscious minds of Cobb(Leonardo
DiCaprio) who, being a professional'extractor' of the secrets hidden
in the subconscious, is up to an almost impossible task that is
rendered to him in-spite of a failed attempt on Saito(Kate
Watanabe). Cobb assembles his team of an architect(Ellen Page), a
scientist(Dileep Rao), an impersonator(Tom Hardy) and his trusted
compatriot(Joseph Gordon- Levitt). The mission impossible is to
execute the opposite of what they've been doing. Instead of
extraction, Saito requires Cobb's team to implant an idea deep into
the subconscious mind of an industrialist heir(Cillian Murphy) that
would take effect in the future. This idea of'Inception' itself will
sizzle millions of brain cells and its elaborate execution through
multi layers of dreams is what the movie is about.
Similar
in manner to'*Shutter
Island'*,
our protagonist has a tragic past that haunts his present and this
backstory not only submerges you into the emotional realm of its
characters but also serves as the most logic defying sequences in
cinema. “Dreams
are only real when we're in them. It's only when we wake up that we
realize that something's strange*” is more than just a thought
provoking dialogue.
'Inception'
demands real attention and rewards it in the end by engaging the
intellect while constantly mesmerizing the viewer with stunning, jaw
dropping constructs of a *realistic
dream* world. The film's
journey can thus be enjoyed at superficial levels as well as at great
depth. It is then left to you to notice the smallest detail depicted
on screen and go deeper through another layer of its magnificent
canvas in prolonged discussions and after-thoughts.
The
film's paradoxical, intricately tangled nature is further
complemented by its most'human' side of a father wanting to return
home to see his kids and rid himself of the past that haunts him.
Cobb's journey home is the motivation for you to sit at the edge of
the seat as they all get'kicked'
out of their dreams. While the science behind the movie's concept
involves paradoxes such as Mobius strips, Escher's stairs, The Matrix
and virtual reality, it does not neglect the most challenging of
human struggles that Cobb finds himself with – to let go and move
on.
Leonardo
DiCaprio delivers an exemplary performance with the commitment and
understanding of his character that rich and deep. Joseph
Gordon-Levitt is awesome in the weightless action sequences and his
performance desires more of him to be seen in the future. Tom Hardy
as Eames provides the comic relief supported by Dileep Rao. Cillian
Murphy, who played Batman's *Scarecrow
is
also brilliant as Fischer. Ken Watanabe, also a villain in *'Batman
Begins' *is
the most impressive of the supporting cast as Saito. Critically
acclaimed Michael Caine has a smaller role which he enriches with his
charming presence and Ellen Page('Juno')
is impressive as she supports DiCaprio in most sequences.
Hans
Zimmer's musical score is remarkable in many ways. Not only does it
set the right mood for the film but it also complements some
bewildering scenes which would seem cartoonish were it not for such
an intense score. Technically too, 'Inception
