Checked out the sci-fi masterpiece that is Inception?

[GaijinPunch]

i was always fearful of going to a theater like that.... actually no I wasn't, I just never thought of it.

I saw Se7en in that state.


Fuck... me...

[Skykid]

I can see you guys have been at this for a while and I'm not going to read the whole thread because frankly this film was boring and I don't feel like wasting much more time on it. I just watched it the other day and was unimpressed. The premise has merit but all of the rules about dream-states are completely arbitrary; the characters are all smugly certain of how everything works but their explanations are empty when they have time for one at all. Then there's the fact that when there's so much potential for surreal imagery and plot we get instead: bank robberies, car chases, gunfights, and a "time is running out, hurry!" climax -- generic action movie shit. Scenes are set up around the special effects... DiCaprio's character is mopey and his back-story makes him look like an idiot, especially since he's supposed to have more than a life-time's experience.

The idea of invading and influencing a person's dreams has potential, but I felt Inception squandered it. To me it all felt so awkwardly put together and illogical that I could only conclude that the whole movie was a dream and none of the characters or events ever existed or happened at all.

Despite the fact I enjoyed it as easily digestible entertainment, you have no idea how much I agree with nearly everything you say.

[CMoon]

For those of you complaining about all the action conventions in Inception, consider this: When was the last time you saw a talky science fiction film? Maybe this is why I tend to prefer older films so much more. They didn't feel roped in by ADHD. How the hell is science fiction even supposed to work with an audience that won't sit still for lengthy explanations or scenes which exist entirely to generate mood and tension? I suspect we'll find the answer with del Toro's take on Mountains of Madness, which has virtually no action. Most friends of mine have said they felt Inception would have been better with less action--the question is, is there enough premise left after you take the action out? I'm not sure. I think with The Matrix I'd say no. I honestly think Inception has a little more substance and questions reality in a way that is a little more mature (though we're splitting hairs here!)

When I first saw Inception I was really impressed a big budget sci-fi film could do well, but it doesn't really change the fact that there still isn't room for films like Blade Runner or 2001 in the American movie theatre. I'm not saying long, slow, boring = good. I think most movies could benefit from some judicial editing, but that's different then throwing in action every few minutes.

[Skykid]

I honestly think Inception has a little more substance and questions reality in a way that is a little more mature (though we're splitting hairs here!)

Sorry man, I'd have to say not really. I've established why I liked it, but as the days go by it amazes me how nearly all the bums I speak to about it consider it some deep spiritual movie they had to dive into several times to get some kind of enlightenment. It must not take much to turn these people's brain-cells on.

It's so stylish the crudeness of the script, instances of poor editing and acting, and some pretty base-level and badly conceived dialogue are masked by the ride.

Inception is Hollywood doing better, and that's really all it is. Nolan is clearly not a scientist, the first forty minutes of empty explanations (that explained little to nothing) proved that. He's like a schoolkid with a budget, a passion, and an ability to steer a movie with some talent - but he only has a very basic initial ideas (in this case people who are special ops inside dreams) that really never amount to anything more than simplistic and wooly premise and fairly hackneyed plot anchors on lost love and a will to overcome it.

A typical example: Would you, when attempting to pull off the greatest and most difficult dream mission of all time employ a learned, decorated physicist with plenty of experience to be your architect, or a girl fresh out of high school?

[CMoon]

Skykid> Kinda wished you'd gotten to some of my other points. Inception is without a doubt a hollywood movie. I think for hollywood it is a very good movie, and at this point I think the faults are basically the same pitholes that all hollywood movies are falling into. It might be nice, instead of just singling out Nolan, to address why Inception is the best sci fi flick of 2010, and yet has many faults.

I rate it above The Matrix because seriously, I rate everything above the Matrix. The Matrix would have made an awesome comic book though!

[Skykid]

Skykid> Kinda wished you'd gotten to some of my other points. Inception is without a doubt a hollywood movie. I think for hollywood it is a very good movie, and at this point I think the faults are basically the same pitholes that all hollywood movies are falling into. It might be nice, instead of just singling out Nolan, to address why Inception is the best sci fi flick of 2010, and yet has many faults.

I can't do that, don't have it within me.

Criticism where criticism is due. Nolan is the writer and I'm only trying to outline the point I made at the start of this thread that he's not hugely accomplished in that dept. He's excellent at glossing up thin material and barely revised scripts so that the average Joe doesn't notice, and for that I'll give him credit.

[greg]

How come whenever I dream I'm shooting a gun, the bullets are always blanks? Ever since I was a kid dreaming of Star Wars, I'd be shooting at the Stormtroopers and the laser gun would have zero effect on them. No fair.

[Skykid]

How come whenever I dream I'm shooting a gun, the bullets are always blanks? Ever since I was a kid dreaming of Star Wars, I'd be shooting at the Stormtroopers and the laser gun would have zero effect on them. No fair.

It's like when you dream you're in a fight, but your arms are like lead and hard as you try, your punches are super weak.

[D]

Liked it. But not a chick flick. My girl friend was like wtf? She was confused and annoyed and said: "what is that?" I said: "it will be explained in a few". She didn´t watch the entire thing.
I´d rate it somewhere between an 8 and a 9. I liked the Train. When I was a kid I used t have a nightmare of a train chasing me. Then I thought, Hey I will go into the park. There´s no railways there. the train kept chasing me into the park. that was horrifying!

You guys! No movie is clever. Movies are made so that even the dumbest lames can understand them. Scripts are always broken and 99% doesn´t make any sense whatsoever. Forget about it. just relax and waiste 2 hours of your life with an entrtaining flick.
And also please do not forget that as you get older you will be more harsh and not as easy going as you once were when you were 15 years old! It´s all just entertainment: movies, games, music do not make any sense. relax!