Inception

[Specter]

Christopher Nolan really made something special when he came up with Inception. This movie is the closest thing to another Matrix that we've seen since (really) 2003's The Matrix Revolutions. In many ways, at least.

What are your thoughts on Inception?

I loved it and can't wait to see it again!

[DJJoeJoe]

I definitely came out of the theater with the same feeling(as that of the matrix, yes even reloaded and revolutions), but it is a movie on it's own. Most people are or were assuming it would be the Matrix in it's mind blowing-ness, but it's very much a different kinda of movie. Way more intellectual focused then spectacle, even though it has it's far share and then some of great action. It doesn't have that classic matrix moment lots of people had where they were utterly blown away by now knowing how most of the bullet time stuff was done and that it was even possible up to that point. Inception doesn't really have THAT sort of thrill, but it gets close in that department and adds a massively dense sci-fi world around all that while telling a tale on multiple levels. Like memento in that there is many things going on though still it's own thing through and through. I really look forward to seeing the film again in IMAX, then again, and again, and again.

Most of the characters in the movie have names that hint that their role in the story. Ariadne, for example, hints at the classic Ariadne Thread and the method of solving a maze or puzzle.

[Tsunamia]

I was impressed with how Nolan was able to have something this complex be as entertaining and coherent as it was. He did a really good job explaining the world clearly and keeping things, relatively, simple.

There is only two things I'm not sure of but they didn't impact my enjoyment of the film.

[oneironaut]

The movie was wonderful and I can't wait to see it again. Christopher Nolan did a brilliant job playing with dreams and memories. And from everyone I've talked to about this film it seems their audience reacted the same as mine with a roar erupting as Nolan cut to black. Well done sir.

[Specter]

Just saw it for my second time, this time on IMAX. It is all a lot more clear the second time through, and even stronger. It's solidified it's place as one of my favorite movies this year, and perhaps of the last couple of years.

[DJJoeJoe]

Did Video Games Help Me Accept Inception's Ending?

I accept both as true. I don't see a mystery; I see a valid branching that leads to two equally valid realities. Is that what happens to those of us who consume not just books that traditionally have only one ending, but video games, which commonly have two or more?

Good quick article on games possibly having an affect on your understanding and acceptance of the ending. In my mind the ending provided is the only one possible, showing one or the other fully would diminish the weight of the ending and thus most of the movie, the point is that it doesn't matter anymore for Cobb. He's constantly questioning reality because he can only truly value something if he thinks it's real, seeing his kids faces again eliminates this need because THAT is what he values. Whether it's 'real' or his mind doesn't matter for him once he sees them.

[Sciron]

Spoilers:


















So what did you guys think about the last few seconds? I've heard a lot of people who agree with the whole 'it was all a dream' thing. Some saying Michael Caine was performing the inception on Leo so help him come to grips with his wife's suicide. I don't buy it. I still think the final reveal was down in limbo.

Going to see it again this weekend. Absolutely loved every second of this movie.

[Tsunamia]

I don't think it was all a dream.

Maybe the ending is a dream but not the whole film.

Just think how convoluted that would be if the whole film was in Cobb's mind.

We see Cobb's totem fall down in the real world. Do totem's even work? It's a long dream, they would need sedatives right? But Aurthur is killed in the opening dream and doesn't go to limbo. Maybe Arthur isn't sedated. Can you exit and re-enter a dream? Maybe going to Limbo when you die isn't true because it's all a dream. But where did Fisher go when he is killed. Where do Saito and Fisher come from? Are they forger's like Eames or actually CEOs that just decide to play along in this inception of a total stranger. Maybe just projections of Cobb's mind. IF that's the case why does Eames need to spy on Fisher. Is Arthur and Eames real people? There is a few scenes in the film that have nothing to do with Cobb. Such as Arthur's zero G scenes. If Aurthur isn't real why is that scene shown.

Messy.

They setup these rules on how dreams work, what roles each person plays, how the dreams are layered, totems, kicks, limbo, etc... In order for the 'it was all a dream' scenario to work all those rules would be thrown away. That wouldn't be cleaver mis-direction; that would be poor narrative. And I give Nolan more credit than that.


If you want to say that Cobb didn't wake up from the Fisher inception and is now in a coma dreaming about his kids. OK. That's fine. I won't argue with that. I don't think that's what happened. I think it's real. But I'm not going to argue because I can't win. There's no proof so both ending are equally valid.

[DJJoeJoe]

I think it's real. But I'm not going to argue because I can't win. There's no proof so both ending are equally valid.

Yup, also it's not really the point to argue. Should be talking about what the movie means to you etc. Is life a dream, do you remember where you came from or did you just start remembering as you went etc. Does it really matter as long as you're happy?

[Eyeamthu1]

Theorising about the ending is fine. And there are things in the movie that could be used to form a decent argument either way. But people shouldn't be trying to work it out. That isn't the point. If the movie was designed to let us know he was awake, Nolan would have shown the totem dropping. The whole point is that we don't know, and that Cobb doesn't care -- he is happy and has accepted his reality, whatever it is. Again, it is fine to theorise, but I don't understand why people are seeking a definite answer they seem to think is tucked away somewhere. I loved the ambiguity personally.