by Andrea Malto
“Inception” is surely a cinematic diamond in the rough.
Led by the talented writer/director Christopher Nolan, “Inception” has been one of the most anticipated blockbusters of the year. In my opinion it has DEFINITELY satisfied the hype.
The main focus is on Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), a thief with a very distinct specialty, the art of “extraction”, the process of infiltrating a subject’s dreams and stealing their ideas. Under his guidance, he and his team undertake a special mission which sets the scene for the rest of the film. The concept itself of dream infiltration is intriguing, and the plot is very well written and premeditated. Nolan has made the storyline complicated enough, as a way to challenge the viewer and make you reflect on key ideas. Not many parts of the film make sense. It is all a puzzle in itself, making it more captivating, and definitely much more desirable to watch. Not only is it complicated, but it has got amazing action sequences. I must admit that the scenes without the gravity were quite exhilarating to watch as well.
Leonardo DiCaprio is perfect for the lead role, and his portrayal of Cobb will not disappoint fans. Ellen Page, is also a refreshing new face in the film. She plays Ariadne, the only female on the team. The cast has a range of talented actors, including Marion Cottilard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Michael Caine. I especially liked Cobb’s team of specialists, all of which are all the best of their fields. This aspect of the film reminded me of the first Oceans 11 film and they ooze the same kind of coolness. Really, my only problem with the film is that the characters are not very well developed. The only character that is really developed is Cobb, but this is only fully unravelled towards the end of the film.
Overall this is my kind of film. Intelligent plot, incredible design and a glowing line up of stars. It has it all. And to top it all off, it has a great ending. “Inception” is a beautifully crafted piece of cinematic art that meets and exceeds all expectations.