REVIEW OF INCEPTION

Christopher Nolan must have felt pressure to ensure his next film topped the level of success that The Dark Knight achieved.  With Inception, Nolan delivers.

  Directed, written and co-produced by Nolan, Inception stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

  Inception is a science fiction film that tells the story of Dom Cobb (DiCaprio), a man known known as an “extractor.”

  Cobbs job is to steal secrets from peoples dreams as they sleep.  Asian businessman Saito (Ken Wantanabe) hires Cobb to plant an idea into his business rivals mind.  Saito hopes that this will force his rival Robert Fischer JR (Murphy), to break up his business empire.

  Cobb is a man who blames himself for the death of his wife, played by Marion Cotillard.  It is while he is on this job that he must face his deepest fears, or face spending eternity trapped in a dream like state.

  Compared with Nolans previous films, Inception is a complex film.  At times confusing, audience interest is kept alive by strong performances from the cast.

  Cillian Murphy puts on a notable performance.  His potrayal of troubled business heir Robert Fischer JR is believable.  Towards the end of the movie, you cannot help but feel sympathy for the character.  Although only on screen for a short period, Murphy adds emotional depth to the film.

  Ellen Page also brings a lot to the film as dream architect Ariadne.  Inception is a more spohisticated and mature role for Page, as opposed to her role in Juno. 

  And of course, there is the performance by Dicaprio.  He plays Dom Cobb as a serious, yet haunted individual.  His best bit is when he witnesses the death of his wife.

  Look out for small performances from Michael Caine and Pete Postelwaite as well.

  Apart from the acting, the films biggest strength is its soundtrack.

  Having worked with Christopher Nolan before, Hans Zimmer illustrates the world of Inception with synthesizers, deep trombones and the occasional piano solo.

  Zimmer lives up to expectations. His motifs and themes add dimension to the world of Inception. Inception is Zimmers best work yet.

  The action scenes are well filmed.  The climactic action sequence is entertaining, albeit a little confusing.

  Nolan uses the idea of a time delay to enhance dramatic effect.  This is where an event that lasts only a few seconds in normal waking time equates to several hours in dream time.

  This is most effectively used in a scene where a white van, with the main characters inside, falls over a bridge is used to heighten tension as the characters struggle to complete their mission while asleep.

  Special effects are used sparingly in the movie.  The effects are used to enhance the story rather than deter from it.

  They are used at their best when Cobb first shows Ariadene the dream world they have entered.

  Entire streets fold up, buildings crumble and objects explode as they navigate their surroundings.  Much of the effects where used in the trailers to promote the film. 

  The most disappointing aspect of Inception is the complex plot.  However, with the DVD release, this problem can be resolved with multiple viewings and the ability to rewatch scenes to make more sense of them.

  The current DVD release of Inception contains extra material including a short documentary staring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, in which he explores the world of dreams and the subconcious.

  Also included is the usual TV/Trailer spots and a selection of soundtrack scores from the movie.  The DVD contains no director/actor commentary.

  Overall, Inception is a better film than The Dark Knight. It is by far Nolans best work yet. Inception may always be overshadowed by The Dark Knight, however it is a more serious and ambitious movie.  The strong performance from the cast compensates for the confusing plot.  Zimmers score is his best work so far.  I am going out on a limb here, but Inception is perhaps one of the most defining movies of the decade.