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Christopher Nolan hasn’t let me down yet.  I first became familiar with the talented director ten years ago with the masterful film MEMENTO (2000).  Since then he’s turned in INSOMNIA (the 2002 remake of the 1997 Swedish film with the same name), BATMAN BEGINS (2005), THE PRESTIGE (2006), and THE DARK KNIGHT (2008).  Even THE PRESTIGE, which some would argue was his weakest effort, is still an engaging and fascinating film… despite its faults.  But THE DARK KNIGHT solidified his superstar director status, and pretty much gave him the clout to do whatever he wanted from then on.  And his newest effort is the highly-anticipated movie INCEPTION.  It is easily one of my most-anticipated films of 2010, and I’m happy to say it didn’t disappoint.

To try describing a film like INCEPTIONcan end up being an exercise in futility.  There’s been a lot of concern from readers in wanting to avoid spoilers on this one, and I think I can safely say there’s no real danger of that here.  Nolan’s film is so complex and layered that spoiling it would be highly difficult for a variety of reasons.  Now in terms of describing the story, the basic plot revolves around a group of people who have the ability to enter others dreams, and while doing so control the events that play out in their subject’s subconscious thoughts.  Led by Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), the team finds itself with an assignment involving Robert Fischer Jr. (Cillian Murphy), the son of a dying wealthy entrepreneur (Pete Postlethwaite).  Cobb assembles his team for the job, bringing in a dream architect named Ariadne (Ellen Page), and trusting in his highly-skilled friends Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Eames (Tom Hardy).  Their mission is backed by Saito (Ken Watanabe), who has been the subject of Cobb’s dream observation himself.  In order to achieve their complex goal, Cobb’s team also calls upon Yusuf (Dileep Rao), who educates them on a theory involving multiple dreams inside dreams, in order to keep the subject unaware of what’s being done to them.  While all of this is going on, Cobb is also dealing with a dark and mysterious past, and his deceased wife Mal (Marion Cotillard) who is strangely showing up in these dreams, and sabotaging his efforts.  Ariadne notices Cobb’s dilemma, and begins to wonder if the team can succeed with this unexpected and unpredictable wrinkle.

Everything I just told you doesn’t even begin to describe what you’ll see on screen in this amazing film.  Remember DREAMSCAPEwith Dennis Quaid?  The 1980’s dream-based actioneer had a similar premise, though it’s limited special effects and now very-dated look hasn’t aged well.  This movie is similar to DREAMSCAPE, but with ten times the imagination, and infinitely more-impressive effects.  Nolan has weaved a tapestry of spellbinding sequences and seamless digital backgrounds, the likes of which will bewilder even the most cynical moviegoer.  At 2 and 1/2 hours, INCEPTION may sound like a long film, but you’ll never find yourself bored… perhaps confused a few times, but all the while enjoying the ride.  This is one of those movies that not just anyone can make, much less make sense out of.

DiCaprio is (as always) interesting to watch, and strong with his performance.  Though most of his scenes have him going through the motions as a sort of dream spy, there’s a few scenes filled with emotion that give the consistently impressive actor a chance to show off his range and effectiveness.  Cillian Murphy, who is quickly becoming a Nolan regular, does a fine job of playing the confused and unsuspecting subject.  His portrayal is on par with that of a much older and seasoned actor.  In some ways, it’s a role that could have been thankless and forgotten, but he makes the most of it.  Tom Hardy is a lot of fun as Eames, spouting out dry British wit, and becoming the quiet comic relief of the film.  I’ve always found Hardy to be an interesting actor, but this is one of the first times (outside of his unusual yet memorable performance in BRONSON) I’ve really seen him shine, to the point of the audience embracing him with their reactions.  Ken Watanabe sadly doesn’t get a whole lot to do with his role, other than portray the wise elder member of the gang, and show moderate moments of melancholy.  Ellen Page is subdued with her performance, but does a nice job being the occasional voice of reason, and guiding force behind Cobb’s self-doubt.  She is a great subtle character that works when needed, and blends into the background when not.  There’s also nice supporting performances from Tom Berenger, who shows he can still command a big screen presence, and Marion Cottilard, who mixes tragic sympathy with creepy mystery in fine fashion.  She’s used sparingly, but her moments are effective and impactful.  But in the end it is Joseph Gordon-Levitt that truly shines in a quiet and yet highly-endearing performance as Cobb’s inter-dream cleaner.  He gets to handle a bulk of the action, and he handles it well.  There’s one fight scene in particular late in the adventure that is one of the most impressive action sequences I’ve seen on celluloid in quite sometime.  Sure, DiCaprio is the “star”, there’s no doubt about that, but Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the true badass of this tale.  Nolan clearly saw how interesting the young actor can be, even without uttering many lines, and made the most of his abilities.  See if you don’t agree.  I gotta say, the idea of him playing The Riddler is now more intriguing than ever.

INCEPTIONis in short a cinematic masterpiece, and perhaps one of the most brilliant films to grace summer cinema in the last decade.  This is a highly cerebral film, disguised as a big action epic.  It works well on both fronts, and succeeds in many moments without even trying.  Nolan knows how to grab hold of the audience, teasing our brains and treating our eyes.  The integration of digital sets and special effects is so breathtaking, you’ll likely not know what is real and what isn’t.  I found myself flabbergasted at some of the impressive establishing shots, which are not possible in reality, yet filling the screen in the most convincing way possible.  This is also one of the many reasons why Nolan saying the next Batman film being done in 3-D doesn’t scare me.  If anyone can make that technology work, it’s him.  Even Hans Zimmer’s powerful score may just be one of the best to ever come out of the composer, and I can’t help but think that to combination of him and Nolan is what led to that fantastic music.

To break it down to one simple statement, INCEPTION is without a doubt the smartest and most amazing movie of 2010.  This year has been filled with films that were either bloated letdowns, or just lazy in lacking their full potential.  It’s refreshing to know that someone like Chis Nolan can still turn in an incredible cinematic effort, effectively saving our summer movie season, and once again setting the bar as high as possible for films like it down the line.  I may not be able to explain INCEPTION to you as well as I’d like to, but that’s all the more reason for you to see it, and understand why it deserves every accolade I’ve given it… and then some.

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