‘Inception’
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard
Rating: PG-13
Grade: ?????
It’s refreshing to be confused while watching a major studio film — and not in a “This is so bad, who on earth thought this would be a good idea?” sort of way.
The plot twists of “Inception,” not to mention the world of dream espionage it’s set in, has the audience constantly trying to keep pace with the action. Like director Christopher No-lan’s breakout film “Memento,” there is a constant question of what is real and what is not that makes the film’s two-plus hours fly by.
Leonardo DiCaprio plays Cobb, a brooding thief adept at stealing secrets out of the minds of powerful businessmen when they are in their unguarded dream state. While he’s the best in the field, his subconscious obsession with his wife (Marion Cotillard) threatens to ruin his latest job.
The special effects are stunning, if a little under-used in favor of shoot-’em-up scenes that are disappointingly ordinary within the context of such an interesting world. The acting team brings the goods — notably Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cobb’s assistant.
“Inception” may not be a game-changer, but as a film that’s automatically worthy of a second viewing, it’s clear that Nolan’s got another major score on his hands.
