It was a complex world that director Christopher Nolan chose to weave in the film "Inception," but he was more than up to the task.
Whenever human dreams are under inspection, there is always room for confusion; this fact is compounded by the numerous rules implicit in any science fiction story. "Inception" required a lot of background to be delivered quickly, and Nolan did so skillfully. The opening scenes of the movie were the most frustrating, because the situations were alien. However, by the end of the film, all of the functions of the dream world were known and were introduced so slyly that the viewer did not feel overwhelmed.
"Inception" follows Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), a man who enters people's dreams to steal their secrets, as he attempts to redeem himself and return to his family. He is offered the chance he seeks by Saito (Ken Watanabe), a wealthy businessman seeking to implant an idea in the head of a competitor. To accomplish this task, Cobb assembles a skilled team among which are Ariadne (Ellen Page) and Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Before Cobb can successfully infiltrate another's mind, he must face his own past, especially his wife Mal (Marion Cotillard).
Cobb's motivations and regrets were compelling. His relationship with his wife was complex and breathtakingly real. Inside the gripping, fast-paced heist story was an equally well-produced tale of a man coming to terms with the consequences of his actions. DiCaprio did this excellently, producing a character who was both relatable and interesting. Cotillard complemented him perfectly, providing mystery and suspense throughout the film.
The rest of the cast did not fall behind, each actor fulfilling his or her role and enlivening the film. Despite being full of action and drama, a few humorous moments were slipped in to "Inception," tying the movie together in a satisfying manner.
"Inception" is, first and foremost, a heist story. The characters must break in, avoid enemy fire and accomplish the task at hand. The very real danger that was present in this case was not death, but descent into insanity. So, although you cannot die in a dream, the bullets whizzing past are still terrifying. The special effects did not disappoint either. One scene was conducted without gravity.
The closing scene was met with a unanimous shout from the audience. I, for one, left the theater with a wide-eyed look and a smile on my face.
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