Inception (weighing in on pop culture)

[kodalai]

"Inception" really was a very good movie and you should go see it if you haven't yet. I went to see it for the second time today, and got all the significant hooks that I missed the first time (or at least, I got that they were meant to BE significant, but didn't understand why until the end.) I don't really see why having a movie that rewards multiple viewings is considered an "underhanded marketing tactic" by some reviewers... would they really prefer that works of fiction be disposable one-time-only gags...?

Other than that, most of the criticisms that I've seen in this movie fall into one of two main categories:

1) It's science fiction, which is childish and shallow, and Nolan ought to spend his time on more worthy genres. (Like, say, superhero movies?)

2) They were confused much of the time as to whether what was on screen was supposed to be real or a dream. (Which really leads me to think that they weren't paying attention. Despite a few nods to the age-old "what is the nature of a dream? what is the nature of reality?" debate, the delineations between the real worlds and dream worlds were really quite explicit. As long as you were paying attention.)

Short version: "Oceans Eleven" meets "The Matrix."

Comments

[okaasan59.livejournal.com]

I went to see it yesterday with Shannon. I got confused in the middle of the movie and started to despair but then it cleared up. As soon as they started the meeting with Fischer I understood everything. But I did have to stay on my toes in order to keep the layers of dream separate.

[kodalai.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it wasn't a movie that you could sleep through. But I like that! It really challenged the viewer, made them think.

[sukino.livejournal.com]

I wasn't confused with what was a dream and what wasn't during my first viewing and I didnt' find it that difficult to keep all the layers clear. Seeing it a second time, I think made is better for me because I could look for all the little things I missed before AND I got to oggle at JGL in his suits.

. . .that alone is worth a third viewing. >_>;;

[titlecharacter.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure that Inception is the result of Christopher Nolan being asked to make the world's longest ad for mens' suiting.

[sukino.livejournal.com]

Which I am totally ok with because hot damn they looked good. :)

[diatomacearth.livejournal.com]

Word to your mother. Arthur in shirtsleeves, dancing in freefall....*foams at the mouth a little*.

[sukino.livejournal.com]

Arthur was the only reason I saw it a second time. . .and want to see it again. I love him so very much. <3

[diatomacearth.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I would say Arthur is a very strong motivation for a repeat viewing.

[kodalai.livejournal.com]

I missed most of those scenes the first time, so I'm DEFINITELY glad I saw it again. :D

One of my favorite moments: Yusuf rolling the car over, then turning around and being like "DID YOU GUYS SEE THAT :DDD" and then goes " ...aw..." when they're still asleep.

[kodalai.livejournal.com]

I think I can totally buy into this theory.

[kodalai.livejournal.com]

Mm, yes. Apart from Leo DiC's character, which I liked for his development, I'd say Arthur was definitely my fav. It was close though! Lots of good characters. I liked Eames too for his vaguely-gay British mannerisms, and Saitou too for being all badass. "I bought the airline.... it seemed prudent."

[diatomacearth.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I had no trouble keeping track of what was a dream, and what belonged to what dream--the only place I felt any confusion was just in keeping the different time tracks. That's always hard to do in movies, and the fact that the weird timing was literal contributed that that.

Such a cinematic vision of the experience of dreaming--I really liked the way that classic Hollywood editing techniques were subverted by the concept of the film. We're used to being thrown into scenes in media res in film, so we don't even blink when it happens, and the movie was playing with those ingrained expectations and subverting them.