Inception!

Finally got to see Inception.  Somehow this time I forced myself to avoid spoilers, because I heard so much about this movie that I wanted to go in unpolluted.  I was worried it was going to be hard to follow because I'd read a lot about how confusing it is, but I actually had no problem following the plot even as it got more tangled and intricate.  Spoilers ahead...

Part of that was, I think, because each layer of the dream in the climactic sequence is so vastly different from all of the others.  I like the idea that the style of the dream is reflective of the dreamer – Arthur's worlds are classy and sophisticated, Yusuf's world was pouring with rain because he had to pee, etc.  The one thing that did confuse me was why the architect (Ariadne) never hosted any of the dreams.  You'd think that if it was her job to design these worlds that it would be her job to dream them, but I guess she designed them for the others to memorize.  Strange. 

At it's core it's really a heist movie but it's easy to forget that when you're sucked in by the incredible visuals and the complicated psychology of it all.  I like that they don't bother explaining how they do what they do or worrying about showing you the technology's affect on the outside world – that would junk up the story.  As it is, you don't care about that because the small, tight story dealing with this one group on this one heist keeps you so busy it doesn't matter. 

And that's the amazing thing.  I can't remember a movie I've seen recently that didn't hit a lull at some point.  It's hard to keep me fully engaged for 2+ hours.  But this one?  I was completely invested.  More than once I actually found myself leaning forward in my seat in the theater instead of reclining comfortably, totally fascinated. 

One detail I found interesting is that while most of the cast is styled in a very film noir/1940s sort of way, Aradne (Ellen Page's character) and Cobb (Leonard DiCaprio's character) both look very modern.  It sort of pulls them forward a bit, as though even the other characters are part of the scenery.  And since most of the story is told by these two characters it works. 

I walked out of the theater thinking I was pretty sure of the ending and wondering what everyone was dithering about:  clearly Cobb's experience was real, and the spinning top was wobbling and ready to tip over as the screen went black.  But then I started reading all the things I had held off on reading.  Like this.  And this possible hint hidden in the score.  And now I'm not so sure.  Now I think maybe when Cobb agreed to stay in "limbo" on the 4th layer of dream to go after Saito (Ken Watanbe's character) that maybe he never really got out.  Maybe he convinced himself that he had, when really he and Saito are still asleep on that plane.  I'm dying to see it again with all this info in mind to see if my idea changes again. 

I also liked this handy infographic that lays out all the layers of the climactic sequence.  And then there are the parodies!  My favorite is Dora the Dream Explorer.