Inception

WARNING: This review is hidden because it reveals the content of the film.
Click here to show this review. I don't watch too many Hollywood movies, but I thought I'd give this one a try. I like to go to movies to think, to work out a complex plot that leaves you wondering for days, and that you never see coming. As a result, my taste in movies is more like that of the 36+ age group. Dom Cobb is a thief of secrets. With the help of his team, he enters deep into the subconscious of his victims' minds to try to get the information he needs to satisfy his clients' demands. But now, he has been offered the ultimate job: instead of stealing ideas, he's there to plant them. He recruits a new team of the absolute best people he can find (one of whom is played by Ellen Page, who was really great), motivated by the opportunity of being reunited with his family. But soon after starting the job, Cobb's personal demons come into play, putting the whole team at risk... I'd heard that this was a thinking person's blockbuster, and that's about right, if the thinking person just wants to get to an air-conditioned building, and is willing to see whatever is on just to escape the heat. I thought this was just a cheap excuse for fight scenes, car chases and explosions. Here's the deal. The movie had many amazing images that stick in your mind, and it was built on excellent premises. The first half was good, as they were setting up the plot. Afterward, however, it descended into Hollywood-style violence. Also, the secondary plot -- which was somewhat necessary, but could have been something else -- wasn't particularly engaging. It poses a question to the audience at the very end, something for you to think about, but I'd seen the question coming from 10 minutes in. All you have to do to understand, leaving no doubts about how anything happens, is to keep track of the frames. *What you need to know:* If you rarely see movies that blow your mind, that work on several levels, go see this. It's a good introduction to a wide style of absolutely excellent movies. If you don't go see those because you can't figure them out, don't go, you won't get it. If you see these complex movies frequently, it's your call, but I wouldn't recommend it. Personally, I'd say rent an Anthony Hopkins movie, SLIPSTREAM. That's some crazy stuff. Inception has got great images that are worth seeing on the big screen, so if you do want to, see it in theatres.