Friday, July 23, 2010

Inception

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Note 1: I generally don't blog about a subject unless I have a strong opinion about it. I am blogging about Inception because everybody else seems to have strong opinions about it.

Note 2: This movie deserves a watch, and your *complete* attention. :D
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There are two types of people in this world. One, who genuinely understand and appreciate 'Inception', and the others, who say "Inception was AWEOMEEEEE!!!!! It is SUCH a COOL movie", primarily because they couldn't get most of what was happening on screen, and NOT appreciating the movie would make them look like idiots.

First things first -

(a) This movie is NOT better than 'The Dark Knight'.

(b) This movie is NOT going to win the 'Best Film' Oscar next year (It might win some technical Oscars though, and my bet is 'Toy Story 3' out of the movies that have come out so far).

(c) This movie is NOT difficult to understand, contrary to popular belief.


Having said that, 'Inception' is brilliant!


"What's the most resilient parasite? An Idea."


There are some movies that take innovation to such a level, that it makes you wonder "What next?". 'The Matrix' made me think that, and that "next" is 'Inception'. It also gives me confidence that when, after watching 'Inception', I ask "Is there any room left for innovation?", the answer would be a "Yes".

Coming back to the movie, 'Inception' explores dreams. Dreams are universal. We all dream. And we all have concluded at some point in our lives several elements about the nature of dreams, and they have been well explored in this movie. The elements that Nolan has used gives him much room for freedom, and boy does he exploit them! There were ample opportunities for going over-the-top, but he has it under control throughout the movie. Also, the film has ample metaphors thrown into it to make this movie a joy for the viewer. The very idea that the inception of an idea can change so much is mind-boggling. But, as far as exploring psychology is concerned, 'Inception' is nowhere close to 'The Dark Knight'.


"Dreams feel real while we're in them. It's only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange."


The way this movie builds up, it makes you pray to God that you get to watch a worthy climax, and Nolan doesn't disappoint. The Climax! The screenplay! The way it has been handled! Mind-boggling. "Kicks" you right at your face! :D I would give this movie a second watch just for the climax.


Now, the music by Hans Zimmer has been appreciated a lot. I don't see how it was any different from 'The Dark Knight'. I would have loved it if Zimmer would have done a more Sherlock Holmes-esque music for this one.

Second, the levels of the dreams, it WAS a bit of a stretch towards the end, but then I don't blame Nolan for this, I don't see how could he have come up with a more elegant treatment of the subject.

Finally, my only problem with Nolan's treatment of dreams is the level of detail and definition he has given to them. Maybe this is a cinematic liberty he takes, but I perceive dreams to be very vague and volatile. I don't see how ALL dreams can be so definite.

In the end, this movie respects our grey matter, and I respect such movies. :) Mr. Nolan, please keep making movies and keep entertaining us. I almost died waiting for 'Inception', and the waiting-game has begun again for "The Dark Knight Rises". I hope he takes us for a journey as exciting as he always has.


"You're waiting for a train. A train that will take you far away. You can't be sure where it will take you."


Inception...

4 comments:

  1. would agree "The Dark Knight" was much better.
    But yes have to appreciate the strong storyline and loved the loops(It was not stretching).

    PS: A neat work by Mr. Pulkit Anand. I enjoyed reading the article.

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  2. truly awesome movie and an awesome analysis of the same.
    wish they wud make a small tv series out of this. the concept is too powerful to be used only in a single movie (they milked 3 movies, 1 anime sub series out of the matrix concept)

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  3. @anubhav
    i agree! they can pull-off a mini series which takes place as its prequel, where they show Cobb's adventures of extracting dreams :)

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