Define complex. Inception.
It got me hooked the moment I read the “dream within a dream within a dream” part in the plot. I go crazy for overlapping scenes because I love the feeling of being dumb for a second inside a dark movie house while eating a lot of pizza and drinking extra-large size of Coke. I really like the feel of enlightenment after a second shade of doubt. I have never felt this ravenous for next scenes ever since I saw “Back to the Future 1, 2 and 3”. At first, you’ll get confused because the setting changes abruptly leaving your brows knotted in one line, then the next scene unfolds and you laugh feeling completely satisfied at having been toyed with by the director, Chris Nolan. A moment of not grasping a scenario is the key to keep my eyes on the screen. The dream levels are just perfect! You have to store the levels in mind so you won’t lose track of the story. While watching Inception, you need: number one, concentration and number two, concentration.
Another thing that got me so into this movie is its version of reality and fiction. I got mixed emotions every time the characters indulged themselves too much in a world created by the mind. I don’t know what to feel regarding the limbo concept, for instance. You get stuck in a dream world you created yourself. That’s a wish I know will never be granted, no matter how much I pray. It’s not only once that I prayed fervently to be an anime character or one of Potter’s friends or one of the vampires (admit it; they’re described as beautiful and rich). Although I know wishing for fantasy won’t do me any good, I still can’t help it. I’m sure a lot of people share my view.
Dom Cobb is one of the characters who got my attention. Although, it’s already kind of cliché to show this generation of movie-goers a character who-is-actually-good-but-messed-up-once-and-is-now-paying-for-his-misdeed, this Cobb somehow still stood out. Even though he shares dark past with countless characters from countless movies of countless generations, Leanardo DiCaprio brought out the best in Cobb! Despite the dull descriptions of Cobb, the fictional character, DiCaprio's actions, facial expressions and words got me interested in dissecting Cobb’s emotions. First off, I don’t really think it’s proper to pry into other people’s business. Being someone who invades other people’s privacy for a living, I can’t imagine how much effort the society had exerted in order to push that someone into this mischief. I can’t really blame Cobb if he accepted another not so decent job from Saito. I tried putting myself in his shoes. I’d also do the same. I’d probably hold on to the hope that one last sin can erase everything. I’m guessing Cobb was imagining life after this last job. A life spent on taking care of his kids.
Another character who got me thinking through the night is Saito. Saito, the typical businessman. I admit to having sort of an admiration to emotionless businessmen. I love the way they can crush smaller businesses without blinking an eye. But, my strange preference has got limitations. I only admire those who fight fair and square. Business versus business. Our Saito here went to the extent of involving personal feelings which I have found extremely revolting. I view it as a sign of cowardice on his part and a taint on a businessman’s pride. However, I forgive his actions. I see him as the key to unlocking the slightest bit of Cobb that was interesting, after all.
Aside from those two, Ariadne also got into me. She’s the only girl in the group and I thought that was awesome. When will I ever get the chance to be on her shoes? Anyway, I think her name is very appropriate. It reminded me of the story of Theseus. It’s weird that her character is supposed to get someone into a maze and not out of the maze. The irony is cool. If Saito is the typical business-minded person, then Ariadne is the typical architect. If you are in love with your profession, you rarely think of harm when faced with a once in a lifetime challenge. That’s what I noticed in a number of movies that I’ve seen. Old scientists ready to risk their necks developing antidotes and skinny computer geeks giving it their best shot to help superheroes, are just examples. Ariadne got hypnotized by the idea of creating her own world. As Cobb had appropriately put, after experiencing the pure creation of constructing a dream, reality will no longer be enough for her. Ellen Page was good in acting, by the way. Her facial expressions were just right, and the way she said her dialogues was effective.
My favorite scene is when Cobb talked about his wife’s death. I wasn’t able to predict the reason at all. When I knew of the story, I thought it was genius! I cannot blame Cobb for being the way he is. A man imprisoned by guilt. I wonder how he will escape from that ordeal, or to put it more appropriately, how he will face that ordeal. Many people in real life are also like Cobb. I know of a man who accidentally killed his own son. Thinking of how they can handle their own feelings is actually more boggling than Inception itself.
For me, Cobb’s reconciliation with his kids is real. The others say that the children in the very first scene were wearing exactly the same clothes as the children in the last scene. Bloggers have expressed their views that Cobb just extended his dream to be with his kids. But I checked the list of characters and found out that the kids from the first scene and the last were portrayed by different characters. Times have passed, so perhaps the director changed the characters in order to point out some differences, therefore telling the audience it is, indeed, reality. I love the ending for Cobb. Most characters with dark past usually end up in prison blabbing things like they’re happy with the way things went, etc. etc. But Cobb, most fortunately, didn’t get punished. Job done, new life. That’s one of the few unique things about this dull character.
I congratulate the staff of Inception for doing a good job with the visual effect. Just seeing the posters for Inception told me I was in for a real treat. The characters were also well-chosen. This movie will forever be imprinted on my mind.
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