Inception

Inception is by far my film of the year; Director Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins and First Knight) has waited almost a decade to being his original idea, Inception, to the screen.  Incidentally the film is about an idea and if that planted idea can change the course of events and peoples lives in the future. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Tom Hardy and Ellen Page and veterans Ken Watanabe, Tom Berenger and cameo from Michael Caine.

The film is set in present day and is an action thriller story with many layers, quite literally! It will have your heart racing, sitting on the edge of your seat and holding your breath till the very last second.  Leonardo DiCaprio (Blood Diamond, The Departed) plays a father called Cobb on the run and wanted by the United States for an alleged murder. Cobb and his team manage to infiltrate people’s dreams and subconscious and steal the very information and secrets they are trying to conceal from the real world. When wealthily businessman, Ken Watanabe, (The Last Samurai) discovers this he asks Cobb to plant an idea in his business competitors mind through his dreams so it could become a reality, he makes Cobb an offer he can’t refuse and so Cobb finds himself on a mission trying to get back home which takes him and his team on a roller coaster ride of espionage, deceit and a real danger of bringing his past in to his present. 

Leonardo has matured considerably since playing Jack in Titanic, his acting ability just keeps getting better and better and he carefully picking parts that show more layers to him. This part was perfect for him, he plays Cobb strongly as a leader but also allows us to see his characters moments of vulnerability too. Leonardo expresses a lot through his eyes and its here that you can tell when he is really in the moment, the scene on the hotel window and him finally letting go of his past are prime examples of this. The entire cast did exceptionally well in bringing their character and story to life as the plot to the film was kept quiet and under wraps even from the actors on set. All credit to them for bringing it together and trusting Christopher Nolan in his direction and vision of what he wanted.

Han Zimmer (Gladiator, The Da Vinci code) provides another outstanding score; in particular I need to mention the music in the end scene. Hans has called this track “Time” it reminded me of the ending of The Da Vinci Code, he stirs your emotions has the piece soaring through you, lifting you, as you are left marvelling and comprehending the final few moments of the film. He has incorporated real bells chiming through the music and the piano solo at the beginning and end can be drawn similarity to a ticking clock. Hans Zimmer has also used the title of the track well to back up and support the theme of the movie throughout.

I believe this film is amazing and thought provoking one. It will have you thinking about and discussing it with friends and co-workers for some time to come.  You will no doubt take away from this film what you want to and you will definitely want to see it again and again, and if that’s the case, then Christopher Nolans dreams have come true!