Riveting. I hate when critics over-use that word. But it is the only word that I can think of that sums up my Inception-viewing experience. I was completely riveted for at least 99% of the time. The 1% was mostly just when I took an opportunity to look around and see if my friends were as completely sucked in as I was.
I honestly think that this movie could potentially cause mental issues in some people. My brain is really tired. On the way home just now, I stopped to fill up my gas tank, and I was struggling a bit. This movie really does require that you stick with it though. I could easily see some people quitting on it, and hating it. You really need to keep your brain engaged, and, well, I felt that I was rewarded.
Ok, so I'm sure many of you have seen clips of the scene with Ellen Page and Leonardo DiCaprios' characters exploring a dream, and all sorts of things like the fruit stand start exploding... about half way through that scene, I knew I was going to love this movie. My mouth was hanging open. (This was one of those 1% moments when I remembered that I was watching a movie.) The special effects were really fun. I wondered, when I watched the trailer if I would feel like I was actually in a dream-state, or if they would capture that feeling anyway. My dreams are a little-too random for anyone to really capture on screen. But, that didn't matter. The fact is that they really did make me feel like I was in someone's dream. There were actually quality action scenes, too.
The acting was great. Leonardo DiCaprio is just a darn good actor. I tend to believe him as every character he plays. At least since (and including) Catch Me If You Can, anyway. Ellen Page didn't need to act too much, but I think she fit the cast really well. The others were all great. No one struck me as not fitting their character, or having distracting lack of acting skill.
I was hooked by this movie after about 10 minutes, I loved everything in the middle, and I loved the ending. I don't think this movie is for everyone, especially people who hate "thinking" movies. This one's a clear thinker. If you can handle a good think, go see it. Make sure to see it in the theater, to do justice to the awesome special effects, too. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I give it a 10 out of 10. It definitely did not disappoint me.
Sole critical negative of the most minuscule persuasion: They missed the opportunity to play "Take a Picture" by Filter during the credits. I think it would have fit just right.
You've totally sold me on it. I'm glad it has lived up to the hype! And thanks for the review- seriously.
ReplyDeleteSaw it again, IMAX style. Still love it!
ReplyDeleteI should clarify a couple things, too. When I said it's a thinker, etc... I was mostly just meaning that you have to actually pay attention to what's going on if you're going to get the full effect. It's not like watching this requires mental acrobatics or that it's like taking an SAT... rather it just requires focus.
Also, I read a review that clarified my feelings about Ellen Page's performance. Her characters and most peoples' perception of her are fairly cynical and skeptical... so when she buys into the logic of the CRAZY stuff going on, it gives the audience a chance to buy into that same logic and makes it believable to a point that the audience doesn't need to worry about the science of what is happening. That's more what I meant by she didn't have to act, her acting just fit that character like a glove.
I felt like I was listening to "Ricks and Roeper," you know, since Ebert's departure.
ReplyDelete