“Inception” was an intriguing experience, exploring the concept of lucid dreams, or the ability of a trained mind to maintain consciousness when passing between dreams and reality. Embedded dreams are possible, even at multiple levels, and the only way to return to the previous level is by death. Several people can share a common dream using a Dream Share device. Villains can use this powerful ability to infiltrate the victim’s mind and extract corporate information.
Leonardo DiCaprio plays Dom Cobb, the Extractor, a professional thief who specializes in conning secrets from his victims by infiltrating their dreams. A powerful business man hires Cobb and his team to take their skils to the limit and perform the act of inception, i.e. to secretly implant an idea in the victims mind.
The plot takes the viewer through multiple depth dreams, carefully synchronised and orchestrated by various team members. Cobb fights not only various mind projections that defend the victim mind, but also a shade of his deceased wife, Mal, that continues to haunt him. Cobb carries a spinning top called a totem, which either spins unceasingly or topples, to determine whether he is dreaming or awake, respectively.
The final seems to be the predictable happy end, but while the top spins for some time, the screen turns black, leaving the audience to wonder whether Cobb is actually in a dream or in reality.
The script was originally developed by Christopher Nolan in 2001, but production started only in 2009, with a large budget of $160 millions. Scenes were filmed in Japan, England, California and Canada.
Conclusions
DiCaprio delivers an Oscar worthy performance and the image experience created by Nolan is fascinating. “Inception” seems to have received mostly positive reviews, and since it’s release on July 16th, 2010, the box office results already qualify it as a financial success.
I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. Recommended.
[Seen in Sony digital 4K, on Aug. 12th, 2010, at Hollywood Multiplex, Bucharest]
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