A dream within a dream within a dream

That's the concept of Christopher Nolan's latest blockbuster "Inception". The film is headlined by Leonardo DiCaprio who plays Dom Cobb, an "extractor" or thought-stealer. He and his team have developed a way to create shared dreams as a means to steal secrets and information from other people by penetrating their subconscious. The conflict: if it is possible to steal thoughts from other people by entering their dreams, then it would also be possible to plant an idea - an "inception", as it is called in the film - that will lead the person to make a decision that they truly believe is their own. Cobb's team are approached (maybe coerced is the more appropriate term?) by a client who wants them to perform an inception on the son of the client's main business rival.

It's a smart and edgy concept, sort of akin to 'The Matrix. There obviously is suspension of disbelief in how they actually manage to create shared dreams and enter the dream state while maintaining conscious control, but the details really sell the idea. You have a team composed of an architect, an extractor, and, well, someone to wake everyone up (I don't what that person is called LOL). There's the induction of a dream within a dream to bring the targets deeper into their subconscious and thus make it more possible to steal their secrets. Then you have the sub-conscious of the target creating "projections" that attack the thought-stealers as a means of self-preservation, and the process by which the extractors can manipulate the thoughts of the target so they actually go against their own subconscious. Other details, like totems, kicks, and time expansion in dreams add more layers to the film that make it a lot more interesting and even believable to watch.

I also appreicated how the story unfolded. I usually lose interest when too many questions are raised for a large part of a film or show without any answers being provided, but that was not the case here. The timing and delivery of both questions and answers, as well as how some answers actually led to more questions, were done in a way that ensured audiences would remain interested and eager to see more. The final series of revelations made by Cobb were both brilliant and chilling, and the suspense and integration of multiple dream levels bring the film to an explosive climax. Of course, with a lot of the story taking place in the dream state, you can be sure that the special effects would be off the hook.

I guess my only criticism of this film is the ending. I found the final scene a bit too predictable, but whenever you have revolutionary concepts in film, there is just no easy way to end it. That said, "Inception" is a must-watch. Just make sure you bring your brain with you when you go into the movie theater as this film will definitely make you think.