a review of 盗梦空间

A sci-fi heist film with a unique concept that allows it to be more complex and artistically inclined than most other blockbusters while still delivering the same kind of thrills. The premise of people entering other's dreams and stealing information from their memories while they're asleep could have turned Inception into a dorky, more niche bit of science-fiction, but in Christopher Nolan's capable hands it is executed with depth and intelligence in areas that it could have been much schlockier. On top of having flashy action and mind-bending set pieces all brought to life by Nolan's always excellent visuals and cinematography, the film has a lot of heart and soul as well thanks to it's protagonist's quest for redemption and struggle with regret. The way the plot handles memories, the subconscious, and our perceptions of reality are pretty brilliant and engages the viewer mentally rather than solely letting them gawk at the spectacle of the characters duking it out with their target's subconscious projections while the dream world around them literally turns upside-down. I'm surprised to say that I do have some complaints with the acting. I found Leonardo DiCaprio to be a little wooden and Marion Cotillard's performance as a mentally unstable person felt forced. Everyone else is fine, although their characters aren't always given that much to do. The standout of the cast is Tom Hardy who was a real scene stealer. I can't praise Nolan enough for creating this high-octane action movie that he took the time to give a real brain to. The pace never lets up so there's a constant sense of forward movement. The emotional effectiveness of some scenes and themes is somewhat lessened thanks to some disappointing acting, but overall we are still able to sympathize with the lead thanks to the poignancy of the writing itself. Inception is a mind-blowing ride from one of the most talented director's currently working and is well worth watching. A stunning example of what can become of action films when supported by a strong mental backbone.