This is a One Mann’s Movies review of Christopher Nolan‘s “Inception” (2010), back in cinemas ahead of the release of “Tenet“, and for its 10th anniversary.
Bob the Movie Man’s Rating:
It’s amazing that Inception is 10 years old. Have I been dreaming? Has time slowed down? As this classic came out before I started One Mann’s Movies, a review of this tenth anniversary showing seems justified.
They’re waiting for a train… that will arrive! From left Dileep Rao, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Leonardo diCaprio, Ellen Page and Ken Watanabe. (Source: Warner Brothers).
5*s – no issue
You hardly need to scan to the bottom to know that this ones going to get a solid 5*s from me. What surprised me more was how INCREDIBLE it is to see this on a really big screen again… and with really great sound.
There are so many standout moments to call out:
- Nolan’s story-line for Inception is stunningly intricate. The ‘science’ is both nonsensical and plausible at the same time. The “time element” (this week revisited by Nolan in “Tenet“) just works so brilliantly;
- The stunning ‘practical effect’ shots still amaze, 10 years later. How do you film a fight in a hotel corridor where the hotel is “rolling down a hill”? You build a whole set that can revolve around its axis and put the actors in it like hamsters in a wheel! How do you drive a locomotive through rush-hour traffic? You drive a friggin’ full-size locomotive through rush-hour traffic! In “Dunkirk” the lack of CGI was detrimental to the movie which needed to be ‘bigger’. Here the lack of CGI is a big plus;
It’s hamster time. (Source: Warner Brothers).
- I must have seen this movie a dozen times now. But one of the things that jumps out at you most when seeing it on the big screen again is the sound design. Hans Zimmer’s glorious score – one of his very best in my book – stops to be replaced by a filling-loosening bass rumble during the slo-mo ‘Jump’ sequences. It’s just superb.
- That final ten seconds! One of the best endings of any film….EVER!
I’ve been on this flight… between Sydney and LA. And you do get an awfully long time to dream! (Source: Warner Brothers).
A cast to die for
Leonardo diCaprio as Cobb leads the cast with strong support – REALLY strong support – from the ensemble cast. Of that cast the acts, that standout are Ken Watanabe as Saito, Ellen Page as Ariadne and, particularly, Marion Cottilard as Cobb’s dead wife Mal. Both Tom Hardy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are great, but come over a bit too cocky and smug on repeat watches!
The old Nolan favourite – Michael Caine as Cobb’s kid’s grandfather (I don’t think it’s ever mentioned whether he is Cobb Snr). (Source: Warner Brothers).
What makes the movie so compelling for me is not all of the whiz-bang practical effects, but the emotional wallop of the backstory between Cobb and his wife Mal. As the film digs deeper and deeper, so that emotional story intensifies: growing old together for over 50 years; wrinkled hand holding wrinkled hand. GULP.
Blend that with his need of Cobb to see the faces of his children again – Nolan constantly teasing us with the prospect – and it drives the movie along at a completely different level of quality.
A funny place to wait for a train. Marion Cottilard as the troubled Mrs Cobb. (Source: Warner Brothers).
Nolan’s high-water mark in my book.
It comes down to a personal preference. But there are a number of Christopher Nolan candidates that might make your list of his best films: “Memento”? “The Dark Knight”? “Interstellar“? Perhaps for some people now (not me personally) “Tenet“? But for me, “Inception” is his high-water mark of quality, and firmly in my top 10 favourite films of all time.
Trailer:
The nice (short) teaser trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7OTkEY1tMI.
If I may be pedantic, you spelled Ken Watanabe’s name wrong! He’s one of Japan’s best known actors and since I live in Japan I thought I should correct you.
I would love to see Inception again on the big screen. I hope that my local cinema will show it again. I also hope that they show Tenet!
Ooh… thank you so much for pointing that out… I will correct it forthwith!