Underwhelmed by the movie, pissed about all the hype.

Utterly underwhelmed.

This is not at all an original concept, but it’s one with almost limitless potential— and Nolan didn’t seem the least bit interested in exploring that. This is a predictable action film with some deeper-concept trappings.

It’s entertaining, it’s gorgeous to look at, but ultimately a disappointment when you consider what it could have been in such usually talented hands.

P.S. Leonardo DiCaprio, stop. Just…just stop.

Amazing cast. Love seeing such a perfect ensemble. Great visuals. Great story.

Tom Hardy… pfffwar.

Kick!

I intentionally kept spoiler-free and waited, waited, waited until the hype (and local screenings!) of Inception blew over. I didn’t read any reviews, stayed off blogs that mentioned the slightest bit about it, did not watch television. In a media saturated age, it was something of an accomplishment. If you’ve any idea of what Inception is about you might be bullied by the sheer epic size of it, how ambitious this latest Nolan offering is. I was ready to put my deepthink cap on and dive right into the convoluted milieu – dream within a dream… within a dream? But instead, queued it, paid attention to the dialogue, enjoyed the grandiose visuals, snickered at some things and wept a little at others. Nolan knows how to bring it all together. Inception is dark, powerful storytelling, not unlike some of his other work. His vision is fresh, and he ably employs a lot of tools to deliver his message.

With the exception of Ellen Page, who’s still very much Juno (young, whiny teenager) – the actors were cast well and did superbly. Leonardo DiCaprio manages not to make this a Shutter Island redux. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (versatile as ever) proves that he can do the job and do it well. The accompanying score was perfect. Length-wise, Inception runs a touch too long, and substance-wise watching this can be compared to a big deal multicourse meal. I was ready to pooh-pooh this as an overblown Batman meets Matrix regurgitation, but I’m glad it’s not what the movie is.

My suggestion, if like me you’ve waited until the last possible moment (and then some more waiting) is to see Inception, enjoy it, and if you don’t get it – see it a second time. It’s a fine mess, but it has a good heart.

THEARTICLELINKED TO BELOWCONTAINSSPOILERS

http://chicago.straightdope.com/sdc2010inception.php

Looks great, but I got too frustrated trying to figure out what exactly happened.

My review at Epinions.

This film was impressive, but I felt it lacked some beneath the veneer. Unlike directors like Terrence Malick, who presents a simple story and then lets it explode through the viewer’s imagination, Christopher Nolan presents the entire spectre and lets it implode. As is, some parts of this thriller are good, and some are commercial and quite see-through.

I thought this was garbage. I expected it to be a really twisty, mindfuck movie along the lines of Memento, which it wasn’t at all. I also expected the kind of insane, reality altering visuals they were pushing so hard in the trailer, but those are more or less confined to a couple scenes. So what’s left is a pretty nifty concept with which Nolan does nothing more than make a heist movie. And a shitty heist movie at that. I mean, what makes a heist movie worth watching? A team of well-drawn characters interacting, shifting loyalties, a complex plot littered with surprises, and you know, obstacles, generally obstacles to the heist being carried out, that’s a good idea. But Inception isn’t especially good at any of these things.

Some people are comparing this to The Matrix, but it’s really more like Ocean’s Eleven if it took place in some dude’s dream. Except Ocean’s Eleven was a quality, solidly entertaining movie. This isn’t.

Wow! I mean… WOW!!! I am so glad I saw this on the big screen (although IMAX would have been too much, I think). Comparisons to the Matrix are going to be the norm, but it also reminded me of other famous “inside the head” movies like Altered States or even Avatar. It takes you totally into the dreamscapes it creates. You leave the theater feeling transformed…and more than a little dizzy. What is real? What is illusion? My only complaint…too much gun play. I would have preferred ninja. And was I the only one who didn’t guess what was inside the safe? Beautifully turned… It reminded me of another great movie on AFI’s top ten list, but that would be giving too much away. The cast was superb. DiCaprio stepped it up once again, a great reprise to his recent role in Shutter Island. I can’t say enough good about this. See it!

When you come out of the cinema , you think you understand what just happened, you try to watch the film and anylyze it and you feel cocky enough to think you totally have it worked out.

Then you talk to someone about it.

’You’re right shit why didn’t i think of that, well i thought…’

and so on . I don’t think i’ll will ever totally understand it. Everyones theories are different, believe me.

It was amazing though, i think everyone should at least try to give it a go and have there own interpretation

Wasn’t sure if it’d stand up to a second viewing, but it was cool watching it with knowledge of what was coming and trying to figure out if there was something ‘deeper’/more hidden than a straight viewing – I actually think not! :)

I thought the bulk of this movie was an excuse to blast photons on retinas.

Inception.

I am really looking forward to watching this film.

Inception is like a famous rollercoaster you’re about to try for the first time: while waiting in a long line you’re so excited because you heard so much about it, when you’re finally on you enjoy it and can think of nothing else, and when it’s over you’re still thinking about it all the way home. Even though I hate rollercoasters I’m pretty sure the analogy still works.

Is this 2010’s big summer blockbuster? You’d better believe it. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past decade you probably are familiar with either Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Prestige, and/or Memento – all of which are also directed by Christopher Nolan. If so, you should have an idea of what to expect, as his films all carry the same tense, dark tone throughout, which sets up a perfect atmosphere for the insanely dynamic and complex visuals that accompany a similarly styled storyline revolving around dreams. I won’t say more since the film is so new; go see the trailer for more details.

Regardless, it should be noted that the film definitely seems to borrow elements from other sources like The Matrix and the fiction of William Gibson, and it was hard to shake that nagging feeling during the latter parts of the film. Still, it doesn’t detract too heavily, and unless you’re really analytical about your films you probably won’t notice or care all that much.

Other than a few holes in the plot here and there I absolutely adored Inception, and would definitely see it again in theaters; the cinematic experience definitely helps. If you’re looking for a reason to go to the movies this summer, Christopher Nolan has just given you one.