“Inception” opens in a record 197 IMAX theaters and other traditional theaters today with near-unanimous critical praise.
The latest Christopher Nolan cinematc mindbender will keep you riveted throughout the 2 1/2-hour running time, not only due to the fast pace, high energy, and frequent innovative action scenes, but also because of the challenge in deciphering the plot and setting that is literally working on multiple levels — of the dream-state and subconscious minds of the characters.
The elaborate visual elements and dynamic chases, including the eye-popping sight of a full-scale train plowing through rush-hour automobile traffic on a downtown city street, is all quite enveloping when it encompasses your entire horizontal and vertical field of view in a full-scale IMAX theater, as was the case at Universal CityWalk’s IMAX theater Thursday night. (The digitally remastered film for IMAX theaters opened on 22 international IMAX screens Thursday and will follow in 44 others internationally in the coming weeks.)
Nolan, whose “Dark Knight,” also from Warner Bros., grossed more than $65 million at IMAX theaters, said audiences will get the best immersive experience when watching it in IMAX. “We have done all kinds of things to re-format the film for The IMAX Experience, and as a result, you get enhanced clarity, sound and a closer relationship with the action.”
“…Nolan and IMAX have once again proven to be ideally suited to each other,” said Warner Bros. Pictures’ president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman. He also noted that with the number of IMAX theaters doubling since the release of “Dark Knight,” more moviegoers will be able to “experience ‘Inception’ in this exceptional format.”
“With a visionary director that knows and understands the power of the IMAX medium, …this film has all the key ingredients for an anchor 2010 IMAX release,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.
I am not the first to make the comparison to “The Matrix” or even Nolan’s “Memento” when referencing the cryptic challenges of “Inception,” but the movie is also filled with fun homages or maybe even Nolan’s own subconscious references to other movies such as the gun-toting skiers and even the accompanying score during what I’ll call the Level 3 setting that is very reminiscent of a couple of James Bond movies. Nolan also borrows from M.C. Escher, using CGI to bring to cinematic life the artist’s famous visual puzzles drawings of continuous up/down staircases.
Ever since “Catch Me If You Can” in 2002, Leonardo DiCacprio’s performances have been noticeably stronger with each new challenging role he chooses to tackle as opposed to settling for an obvious or easy character in a simple, one-dimensional film.
That trend continues here as DiCaprio delivers a convincing character of sufficient depth that amidst all the action and the brain-testing labyrinth of story-lines and the real and imagined characters and settings, he is able to repeatedly engage and capture our deep sympathy and emotion in gripping scenes depicting his struggle to reconnect with his two young children and come to terms about an unresolved traumatic confrontation with his wife.
DiCaprio is supported by a strong cast including Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“500 Days of Summer”), Ellen Page (“Juno”), Ken Watanabe (“The Last Samurai”), Marion Cotillard (“La vie en rose”), Tom Hardy (“RocknRolla”), Cillian Murphy (“Batman Begins”), Tom Berenger (“Platoon”) and even Michael Caine in a small but important role. But, as always, this is Christopher Nolan’s movie with his stamp on the concept, writing, and directing.
— By Scott Hettrick