Christopher Nolan's Inception

[The Spawn]

Yusef could have used a paradox like Arthur for instance when driving the van.

 

[RyanJ]

Every character in the movie got enough time for the viewer to understand basically who they are. This was not an origin story about the concept. When the movie begins, the ability to enter dreams is not a secret, it is a profitable business known about worldwide. There is a school that helps teach people to do it. Ellen Page's character does not need extra time devoted to why she is doing what she is doing because clearly it was her goal in life to do it or she wouldnt be in school learning how to do it. Yes, the character part was a bit rushed...but it didnt need to be slow.

Ellen Page's character wasn't going to school to become a dream architect. She was in college to be just a regular architect. Michael Cain chose her for Cobb because she was an exceptionally good normal architect, and those skills translated well to being a dream architect.

 

[The Guard]

Every character in the movie got enough time for the viewer to understand basically who they are.

In terms of The Point Man, The Architect, The Forger, The Chemist, etc, maybe.

As people? Hardly.

I have no idea, short of being acrobatic and mildly charming and knowledgeable about dreamstates, what kind of a person Arthur is, or why he works or cares about Dom.

I have no idea why The Forger wanted to risk his life and soul for Dom, other than the fact that they'd worked together before, and yet it was such an important part of the film.

At least they hinted about Ariadne getting "addicted" to the creative power of the dreamstate, which explains why she was willing to work with a dream thief. But that doesn't tell me who she is. It tells me what happened to her in a few scenes. I don't know WHY she likes being an architect. These things strike me as important.

The movie was 2 hrs and 28 minutes long. Character development for Adrianne AND Arthur would have added at least an hour to that.

Are you implying that each character would have to have had 30 minutes of additional screentime devoted only to character development to know who they are? I don't even know if Dom got that much character development time.

I'm not asking for entire movies devoted to these characters. I'm asking for a minute or two more with each one to flesh out who they are, and while they're doing what they're doing.

So make the snowbike sequence a minute or two shorter.

Or make the movie five minutes longer. I would gladly have watched a 2:35 or 2:45 movie if these characters were more interesting and and meant more to Dom and the other characters.

The film was already on thin ice with the average movier goer and their inability to hang on for a mental ride going 160 MPH.

You mean the mental ride that revolved mostly around slow mo and slow emotional reveals and slow blaring music? Seems to me the movie gave us plenty of time to catch up. The rest was called "action sequences".

You really think the lack of character development for the rest of the team hurt the movie? Or do you think it was a missed opportunity?

Both.

And I agree with Heretic. It's a fairly straightforward film. I have no idea why people wouldn't be able to follow it.

 

[bullets]

The part when

Spoiler

she whipped around and saw Ellen Page in the elevator, our whole audience jumped.

I was embarrassed that i jumped at that part , next to my gf no less, couldn't hide it.
She had a more embarassing moment because she yelled :

Spoiler

"Oh My God , No " When Levitt's character almost gets shot in the back of the van

 

[Solidus]

While Blade Runner didn't do anything groundbreaking action-wise with it's SFX, the near future world created for the film was groundbreakingly stunning and has stood the test of time IMO.

Oh yea Blade Runner still stands up against anyone. I do agree with that. I think though that since Nolan did not use a lot of CGI and what he did use was convincing it too could stand the test of time. But I guess time will tell lol

Regarding people saying it is impossible for a viewer to truly "get" the movie.

Here's the deal...

The film is straightforward in it's approach. There is NEVER a moment during the climax section where you should be wondering where you are or who is dreaming or anything like that.

Then the very last scene comes. That scene is ambiguous and open to interpretation. So, you can "get" the film completely and have a totally different view of the ending (and all that would include) than someone else.

We can have a never-ending discussion about the impact of the last scene and how it plays on the hour before it...but there is NO need to debate "were they asleep" or "who was dreaming when they were in the snowy part" or anything like that. If we take the movie for what it says (disregarding the last scene) then there is absolutely no debate that needs to be done, and any confusion a person has about who is where and what is happening is entirely their own fault.

But of course...that last scene does throw everything for a loop...if you interpret it that way (which I don't). There is no right or wrong answer regarding that final scene and it's implications, until and if Nolan clarifies. It is a reasonable and potentially fun debate topic.

But seriously...the rest of this "it was too confusing" garbage needs to stop.

NOTE: I am referring mainly to the public at large who I am speaking with in real life, not one particular person on this board.

But there is more to some of the scenes than that. Which quite a few now have been saying what I found on my later viewings.

Spoiler

The whole film is about Cobb's inception. Not just Fischer, though he may have been needed to convince Cobb that he was in reality after Yasif's basement. After the basement he spins to top, it gets knocked over and interrupted and he never does it again through out the film until the end. That scene was there for a reason. Not just show. It gives indication or at least a theory that the whole premise of the film is about Cobb's inception. And what we thought the first watching was Level 1 2 and 3, were actually Level 2, 3, 4 then limbo. That it was possible that Cobb was in level 1 unknowingly and was still maybe in Yasif's basement.

But I agree with a lot of this movie and ambiguity in it, there is no right and wrong answer.

 

[Heretic]

Oh yea Blade Runner still stands up against anyone. I do agree with that. I think though that since Nolan did not use a lot of CGI and what he did use was convincing it too could stand the test of time. But I guess time will tell lol


But there is more to some of the scenes than that. Which quite a few now have been saying what I found on my later viewings.

Spoiler

The whole film is about Cobb's inception. Not just Fischer, though he may have been needed to convince Cobb that he was in reality after Yasif's basement. After the basement he spins to top, it gets knocked over and interrupted and he never does it again through out the film. That scene was there for a reason. Not just show. It gives indication or at least a theory that the whole premise of the film is about Cobb's inception. And what we thought the first watching was Level 1 2 and 3, were actually Level 2, 3, 4 then limbo. That it was possible that Cobb was in level 1 unknowingly and was still maybe in Yasif's basement.

But aI agree with a lot of this movie and ambiguity in it, there is no right and wrong answer.

That's fine...yeah...there are things that may be clues, or may be coincidences. It is up for debate, for sure. I am not making judgment either way on the final scene or any other hints that lead to an ambiguous ending. I am merely making the point that everything else...if the entire movie "happened" is easy to follow.

 

[bane]

Spoiler

I'm wondering if Nolan will release a Director's cut with the totem falling?

 

[Kane52630]

Spoiler

I'm wondering if Nolan will release a Director's cut with the totem falling?

then that will defeat the purpose of the movie imo

 

[TheFuture]

Spoiler

I'm wondering if Nolan will release a Director's cut with the totem falling?

Spoiler

I'm pretty sure that the final cut is always Nolan's, not to mention it defeats the purpose of the open to interpretation ending.

 

[bane]

then that will defeat the purpose of the movie imo

Well it didn't defeat the purpose of Blade Runner.

 

[Heretic]

Ellen Page's character wasn't going to school to become a dream architect. She was in college to be just a regular architect. Michael Cain chose her for Cobb because she was an exceptionally good normal architect, and those skills translated well to being a dream architect.

I over-simplified things.

It is OBVIOUS that one of the materminds behind the concept of entering the dream-world was Michael Caine. He taught Leo the ropes...and was completely clued in. This would have been a resume' builder for him. He would have been greatly respected and known. Students would seek him out because of his incredible breakthroughs in dream architecture. Ellen Page was described as an even better dream architect than Dicaprio. Notice it never said "actual" architect. No...Leo may have been a crappy architect...but he was considered one of the best dream architects in the world. Ellen Page was better than him...so nowhere does it imply that she is unaware of dream architecture.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Please guys, remember to use the spoiler tags.

 

[Solidus]

I wish my dreams I could control as well as these guys. Mine end up being odd or me going to school or work naked. Those are the worst lol.

 

[TheFuture]

I wish my dreams I could control as well as these guys. Mine end up being odd or me going to school or work naked. Those are the worst lol.

Don't feel so bad, they went to dream school.

 

[Solidus]

Don't feel so bad, they went to dream school.

I might have to enroll.

 

[Saint]

The film was definitely straightforward and not difficult to comprehend. Not sure why anyone would have trouble following.

 

[Solidus]

The film was definitely straightforward and not difficult to comprehend. Not sure why anyone would have trouble following.

It's not that people are having trouble following, there is just many layers, and many deep ideas and theories behind it. Blade Runner was straight forward as well. But there was more to it, and I believe that is where the complexity lies. Including the one that I and it seems many others have thought of this maybe the same time I did, this theory that :

Spoiler

That it very well could have been that Cobb was actually the mark. Along with Fischer, to get him to let go of Mal. And that that is a reason he could never look at the faces. As well after Yasif's basement when he did the totem test, it never was completed he was interrupted, and never did it again till the end. I don't think Nolan put that scene in for the heck of it, after my third viewing it was clear he was pointing at it.

I think and its a theory so no yes/no answer. But it very well could have been that Miles hired Satio to help not only incept Fischer but Cobb as well, but they had to do a job with in a job to fool Cobb's strong subconscious (he is a pro after all) that he is really just doing the job. But more so it is about inception for him as well.

I believe he could very well still be in Yasif's basement. And Level 1 was not the car chase with the van, that was actually level 2. They may have gone 4 deep +the limbo.

I have found more for my theory but man I think a few more viewings will be needed to go further with it.

 

[Figs]

I can't wait to see this a second time on Sunday, especially after your theories and ideas Solidus. It's a film that could definitely use a second watch for all the tiny details know that you know the overall plot.

 

[Solidus]

I can't wait to see this a second time on Sunday, especially after your theories and ideas Solidus. It's a film that could definitely use a second watch for all the tiny details know that you know the overall plot.

It truly does get better on more viewings. It really did for me. There is just so much in every shot, there is a lot to take in and analyze.

I can't wait to see it on IMAX first film film I will have ever seen on it.

 

[Heretic]

It's not that people are having trouble following, there is just many layers, and many deep ideas and theories behind it. Blade Runner was straight forward as well. But there was more to it, and I believe that is where the complexity lies. Including the one that I and it seems many others have thought of this maybe the same time I did, this theory that :

Spoiler

That it very well could have been that Cobb was actually the mark. Along with Fischer, to get him to let go of Mal. And that that is a reason he could never look at the faces. As well after Yasif's basement when he did the totem test, it never was completed he was interrupted, and never did it again till the end. I don't think Nolan put that scene in for the heck of it, after my third viewing it was clear he was pointing at it.

I think and its a theory so no yes/no answer. But it very well could have been that Miles hired Satio to help not only incept Fischer but Cobb as well, but they had to do a job with in a job to fool Cobb's strong subconscious (he is a pro after all) that he is really just doing the job. But more so it is about inception for him as well.

I believe he could very well still be in Yasif's basement. And Level 1 was not the car chase with the van, that was actually level 2. They may have gone 4 deep +the limbo.

I have found more for my theory but man I think a few more viewings will be needed to go further with it.

You don't get it...people ARE having a hard time understanding it.

This is NOT critique against the movie, but instead critique against our fellow citizens...or society in general.

I am NOT KIDDING...when I left the movie theater someone who saw the movie at my screening actually said "I don't get it, so were they dreaming, or did that stuff actually happen?" completely missing the entire point of the movie being that it takes place in dreams. I turned to the person and said "The movie is about implanting and extracting ideas from dreams" and they responded "so they were asleep?"

Yes, this was an adult...in their 30's...

I have heard others saying that they hated the movie because they could never figure out what was "really" happening and what was a dream. I wont give away plot points...but they complained that people didn't die from things that happened in dreams, and when I explained that it was a dream they said...no, that part was really happening, they dreamed after that...you see, its too hard to figure out!!!!!"

People are stupid...and therefore not understanding the film on even the most surface level.

 

[Solidus]

Maybe so. I just enjoy analyzing it though. I guess I really was not paying attention to the GA but you have a good point.

 

[Boom]

Spoiler

Here's where things get tricky, but also awesome. Saito dies in level 1 and he is not connected to any of the others in level 4 because he is still awake. Therefore, he enters his own separate limbo state which can be considered level 4B.

Spoiler

Saito didn't die in level one. If he had died in level one, how would they have gotten him into level two? They clearly said that once they got him to level 2, the pain would lessen. Saito didn't die until the third level - the same that Fischer did. And I don't get what you mean by "he is still awake."

 

[General Vulcun]

Pretty much agree with what most of you say on the ending.

Spoiler

Doesn't fit the criteria of a cheap twist (DiCaprio doing the inception on Mal was more of a twist than the ending), and the idea, despite whatever WB may want to do with this property on their own, that the ending was Nolan's way of setting up a sequel is flatout nonsense. IMO, very big reach.

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

This film was not hard to follow at all unless you weren't watching the movie. Nolan created a film that in the previews came off more complex than it really is on the surface. But there a lot more going on though, but people are acting they need to be geniuses to understand the film. My friends, and family all liked the film, and that it wasn't hard to follow.

I just get the feeling that some people just weren't paying attention.

 

[Timstuff]

Inception is one of those "Once in a decade" masterpieces that everyone is still going to be talking about years from now. The story was brilliant and had me at the edge of my seat till the very last frame. The effects and action were incredible, as well. This year has been pretty disappointing for films so far, but Inception is the diamond in the rough. You must see this film in theaters, so that 10 years from now when people bring it up you can say "I saw that when it first came out."