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It was definately one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. I am unsure of its exact place in my hierarchy, but it is certainly at least top ten material.

You didn't like the ending? I thought it was very appropriate. Considering the basic theme of "What is real?", I thought the idea that reality might be a dream in and of itself was a worthy way to end the movie.

I don't think that the movie is best viewed in such a harsh, contrasting view such as dream and reality. One of the most livid criticisms I have heard from Christian sources is that the movie trivializes suicide (You kill yourself to get out of dreams, etc, etc). I think that the line of thought behind that criticism is what makes the movie so unique and powerful. Ultimately, Inception is asking you "What is reality?" For Cobb, reality had become his sedated dreams of Mal, and by the end of the movie, his reality was back onto "the real world", or at least his children. I think that when you examine Cobb's character progression, you find a character who is supposed to be the viewer. Ariadne functions as the viewer in some parts in order to explicitly discuss the "physics" of the dreamworld, but I think Nolan is truly guiding us on a quest for real. Nolan has masterfully guided us, in the guise of Cobb, into a search for what is the reality of life, what truly matters. Ultimately for Cobb, it was the reality that he was reunited with his children, be it in dream or reality. In contrast, Mal's reality was that there is no reality. I think the main drive of the story is supposed to create a thought inside the viewer of what exactly real truly means. Cobb repeatedly states that if you are in a dream for so long, it no longer is a dream, but a life. I think that line is a good summary of the overall message and theme of the movie - reality is what you make of it.

You should read this article. It's another really interesting idea on the dream theory.

I think it was ok. I wouldn't give it as high of ratings as everyone else seems to be. Maybe 7 our of 10 or so?

I've never been a big fan of IMAX. I'll probably see it over the weekend again.

If you think the totems where unimportant then you must have fallen asleep half way through the movie....

Anyone else see Inception yet? It's by far one of the best movies I've seen and it has earned its place as #2 on my favorite movie list, only behind #1 which is The Dark Knight coincidentally.

in my top ten for sure, but Batman Begins is definitely my number 1. TDK is #5.

Spoiler (hover to show)

My theory was that it was Mal's Dream. the only problem with it is that the top fell over initially, so that had to be reality...

Quote from: Ring Wraith on August 01, 2010, 04:13:17 PM

Quote from: Lawfuldog on July 20, 2010, 01:06:06 AM

Anyone else see Inception yet? It's by far one of the best movies I've seen and it has earned its place as #2 on my favorite movie list, only behind #1 which is The Dark Knight coincidentally.

in my top ten for sure, but Batman Begins is definitely my number 1. TDK is #5.

Spoiler (hover to show)

My theory was that it was Mal's Dream. the only problem with it is that the top fell over initially, so that had to be reality...

dude BB sucked

LIES. it had ninjas, awesome character development, ninjas, an intense enemy (fear itself), ninjas, music by Hans Zimmer, ninjas, Alfred. and NINJAZZZZ

So I saw Inception last night with the good Professor, and man did I have some weird dreams last night...haha  

It was definitely one of the best movies I have ever seen. The storyline and execution were pure awesomeness. The whole theater shook at some points. The guy next nearly jumped out of his seat several times, which was sort of entertaining, actually. Then at the end, the whole theater took one collective gasp. So good.

~Britta

Quote from: Ring Wraith on August 01, 2010, 04:42:36 PM

Quote from: JSB23 on August 01, 2010, 04:34:14 PM

dude BB sucked

LIES. it had ninjas, awesome character development, ninjas, an intense enemy (fear itself), ninjas, music by Hans Zimmer, ninjas, Alfred. and NINJAZZZZ

That would be great if I could see what was going on

A. Bubbleboy doesn't suck. he's one pretty cool guy. B. They're ninjas. you aren't supposed to see them. duhh. and C. when was the last time you watched that movie? I've never had a problem with seeing what's happening.

Unquestionably the best thing I've seen this year.  Unless the Coens or Eastwood have an epic hit, this thing will sweep the Academy Awards.  I need to give it some time before deciding whether I think it is "all-time greatest" material, but at the moment, I think it might be.

Many people have been comparing this to The Matrix, but that isn't accurate at all.  The closest thing I've seen to it is a Polish film from 2001, Avalon (which had somebody getting confused between reality and a computer simulation, and included an identical trick ending), but this is clearly a better picture than either.  Stellar cast, direction, and cinematography -- something I've come to expect from Nolan's cronies.  The fight scene with Joseph Gordon-Levitt was amazing, and I really hope that his surprisingly minor role in the film is because Nolan is grooming him for a role in Batman 3 (or any other Nolan project for that matter).

Spoiler (hover to show)

Although I think the "all a dream" is the obvious ending, I like how both Inception and Avalon were constructed to allow for dozens of seemingly legitimate possibilities to float around.  The optimist in me is playing with a theory for a happy ending, being that the top not stopping actually means he is in reality.  The timing of him getting the top was never specified, so what if he set its rules while in a dream state, but it was actually a tricked-out top that could actually spin for great lengths of time in reality, but collapsed in one of the dreaming levels?  As in, the final scene is the only time he is in reality.  Or what if an architect changed the laws?  (He did reveal the secret of his top to her just after telling her not to, unless he lied?)  I didn't feel the explanation that physics don't hold in the dream is accurate, as evidenced by the gravity shifting.  The top could act differently than intended.  (I don't think we ever saw the die in use, so who knows if his thing even worked?)  Or what if it worked differently than he thought with his wife?  Did she do something to it?  Eh, just something I'm playing with... going to try applying it when I get another chance to see it.

As for why the science and tech weren't explained, Alex is right on.  There is a "rule" in storytelling based on Star Trek: if the characters in the world accept their tech as real, we will too.  That is why we don't need explanations from Walter as to why his zany ideas work on Fringe, or why we never see diagrams as to how the DeLorean actually time travels -- the viewer is willing to just accept the tech since they can remain focused on the story and characters.  (I do agree that people like the science, and that's exactly why there are movies and shows that do this, but it makes it harder for general audiences to both become emotionally attached to the characters and focus on the story's ideologies when you're paying attention to how things work.)

On a side note, I was required to take two psychoanalysis of film courses in college.  I'm glad I got through those before this film came out or I'd be sick of this thing pretty quickly.  I've never really subscribed to the idea that the mind treats a film as it would a dream, which I could yammer about for too long, but Nolan certainly has me thinking.

PS - If anybody has seen Avalon, PM me with what you think.

I saw it in IMAX last time though, and I don't want to cough up that money again, but if I don't it will look only half as good I am afraid.

FWIW, unlike much of The Dark Knight, this wasn't shot on IMAX cameras... just normal 35mm ones.  It may look better at its native resolution, unless you simply like the oversized screen.  I had no complaints at 35mm.

the one thing worse than having the science not explained is when they explain the science and it is stupid.  IF I have to watch a movie that uses 'Unobtanium" as some exotic metal that has fantastical properties...I think I am gonna puke.