by Zach Kluver, staff reporter
“Inception” is a crazy, mind-bending, incredibly high budget heist/science fiction film released in 2010, written and directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars a full ensemble cast, featuring actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page, among others.
“Inception” begins with the introduction of psychiatrist Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio). Cobb is man in his mid-30’s who has infiltrated the dreams of Japanese millionaire Saito in order to steal information from his brain subconsciously. However, Saito’s brain has been trained for this, and the plan fails. Saito is more forgiving than one would expect, and offers Cobb a new contract that will clear him of his unnamed crimes from years ago so he can visit his family. This contract involves using a theory called inception, in which an idea is placed in someone’s head while they are dreaming. Cobb accepts, and begins assembling a crack team to plant the idea of breaking up Saito’s competitor’s large and growing monopoly to his son, Robert Fischer, who has just taken over the reins of the company.
One of the best things about “Inception” is the incredible shots and scenes that spring from the 160 million dollar budget. In one scene, as part of the dream, gravity is constantly changing directions in an expensive apartment building, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt walks around the rotating set and fights off several people in some very impressive choreography. In another scene, DiCaprio and Page are standing in a street in Paris, and the roads around them rise up and fold in on themselves. Even aside from these have-to-see scenes, much of the actual filming and cinematography is impressive, though not as particularly amazing as the special effects and sets.
Although there are a few kinks in the story, mostly relating to Cobb’s wife, the plot definitely holds up and consistently impresses with its detailed complexity. It’s safe to say that this isn’t the kind of story that one thinks up in an afternoon. The movie has some pretty cool twists and turns that will surprise even the most careful and focused viewer, and it’s definitely worth spending a few hours on.
Inception is available for rent on Amazon.
