Movie Review: Inception

Inception
Written & Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring:  Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Dileep Rao, Tom Berenger, Marion Cotillard, Lukas Haas, Pete Postlethwaite and Michael Caine

It's all I can do to keep this review from simply being a list of adjectives indicating my feelings towards this film.  Words like Stunning, Important, Brilliant, Mind-Blowing.  Or perhaps words like Beautiful, Mesmerizing, Original, Fascinating.  Perhaps I can jump up to phrases:  Best Film of the Summer, Best Movie of the Year, You've Never Seen Anything Like It and Aren't Likely To Again, Simply Incredible, Impeccable Cast.

I could list words and phrases for hours and not run out.  Each of them would be accurate and each of them would be completely true.  This isn't hype, you see.  This is factual.  it is just that good.

Inception is, without a doubt, the best movie I have seen so far this year and I don't see how anything can come close to beating it.  That is a tall statement but Inception is a tall movie. 

I won't give you plot details.  I'll certainly not spoil anything.  I just want to make it known that it is Nolan's finest work to date.  Its complex story is one that demands repeat viewings, but the emotion that ties it all together, is as simple as can be.  Inception cannot be boxed into one genre.  It has elements of all of them:  Science Fiction, Action, Heist, Crime Drama, Comedy, Love Story, you name it and you could find some semblance of it represented there.

The visuals are jaw dropping.  The tension Nolan builds is nothing short of incendiary.  The performances of his remarkable cast from extra to top billing are marvelous.  Each cast member delivers impressive and amazing work.  I felt almost honored to be treated to such a wonderful film.  It was refreshing to walk out of a theater talking about the film, positively mind you and not just shrugging my shoulders or ranting at how terrible it was (I'm looking at you M. Night!)

I see a lot of movies, it comes with the territory of being a "critic", even a small one, and I can honestly say I have not been as tense, not sat on the bleeding edge of my seat from watching in quite a while.  Inception had me at the very edge.  It had me gripping my armrests.  But most importantly, it had me.  I was captivated from the opening shot and glued to my chair when the last scene ended.  My jaw was hanging, which is the best way to leave an audience.

Inception is from top to bottom a masterwork from a director who has truly taken on the title of auteur.

Am I over hyping?  Undoubtedly, to some i am, but I'm not trying to hype the film.  I'm not trying to make it something that it isn't.  I really feel that Inception is a brilliantly made film.  It is perfect.  I wouldn't change a thing.  I can only hope it is a sign that Hollywood is truly entering its latest Renaissance and Inception is but the first of many great films to come.

The dream is real indeed.

Inception is in theaters everywhere now.