I’m going to be real for a second: I’ve never seen Inception, partly because I wasn’t really ‘into’ film at the time and also because I was, like, eight years old. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t know about Inception; at this point, I don’t think there’s anyone that hasn’t. I knew it was the favourite film of a lot of people, that it had a really dope fight scene in a hotel, and that it single-handedly popularized the use of the DUNNN sound effect you hear in basically every trailer ever these days. So, when it was announced that Inception would be re-released in theatres as a celebration of its tenth anniversary and to promote Nolan’s new film Tenet, I knew this was my chance to actually watch the film that has been talked about non-stop for a decade.
So, what even is Inception about? Described in the least complicated way possible, the story follows Cobb (DiCaprio) and his partner Arthur (Gordon-Levitt), who work as spies… of a sort. In short, they use experimental technology to infiltrate and manipulate the subconscious and extract information through dreams. On one mission, their target, Saito (Watanabe), offers the two a seemingly impossible task: placing an idea in an already subconscious mind. In exchange for convincing the son of a rich man to dissolve his father’s company, Saito promises to also dissolve Cobb’s status as a criminal. Taking on the offer, Cobb assembles a team of experts, including Ariadne (Page), a somewhat naïve but talented architecture student. But the team of six are up against the clock, and it will require more than just luck to make the impossible possible.
First things first, I can definitely see why this film is upheld as a classic of modern cinema. Not only does it present a unique idea (well, for the time at least), but it is able to combine this idea with a tight script and good film-making, something that most ‘unique’ films today lack. The characters, while not the most in-depth, offer no shortage of entertaining quirks and talents, and every actor present gives it their all. The score, composed by Hans Zimmer, is tailored to every scene, and the action sequences are nothing short of impressive; you can tell how much work went into them and I’m surprised at how well they hold up 10 years later. Watching this film on the big screen was definitely an experience!
When you’ve got a film as well put-together as one directed by Chris Nolan, it’s difficult to find a fault. If anything, a scene in the film where the team stake out a fortified mountain base, aside from reminding me of Metal Gear Solid, goes on for a little too long and is rather boring to look at compared to the colorful scenes seen previously. Furthermore, as you may have already guessed from my plot description, it is not a film most people can walk away from understanding everything that happened. It definitely requires rewatches, that’s for sure.
But my complains are merely small potatoes compared to the full-course meal that is Inception – an intriguing story, all-star cast, and never-ending excitement. Though some may argue that it is ‘overrated’, I personally believe that it is ultimately deserving of its spot as a modern classic, if all those imitations of it haven’t already proved that. Now, off to watch Tenet!
Final score: 9.5/10
The Art Archive 