Inception: How Nolan Broke into Every Geek's Mind pt 2

The Effects

It's an old style of movie, from Ocean's Eleven to Alias Jimmy Valentine, but Nolan builds on this premise by adding a sci-fi/fantasy element that is undeniable and amazingly innovative. No this is no Blade-Runner, but it does open up a fantastic new genre of films that are niether Noir nor New Wave. Nolan has managed to take CG in films and use them in the opposite way of Cameron or Bay who bombard their audiences with hours and hours of CG fests. He's thoughtful and careful use of CG interspersed with real sets, real stunts and actual locations builds the world of the dream into a tangible, breathable and livable space.


Some reviewers complain that they wanted more fantastical scenes to satisfy their imagination. However this is not the aim of Inception, it instead targets a singular narrative, providing a warning for all those to hold on to the seat of their pants as the movies plot plunges forward at a particular speed. Our eyes are satisfied as well as our reason. The effects where most effective add to the experience, and don't distract us from the story Nolan is trying to tell.



Genre?

This film is difficult to categorize, While it remains a Heist film, there are elements of Film Noir, Spy films, and even direct and pointless action films. Yet there is a diverse set of likable and relatable characters, uncharacteristic of most action films, and rare in spy films. There is also a definite Femme Fatale in the character of Mal. Odder still is the inclusion of a deeply romantic thread running through the entire film, creating a multifaceted story that can be summed up by one genre.

Often when I watch a movie I think about what my dad would have felt about it. It was he who introduced me to films when I was younger. Mostly black and white affairs, westerns, and the occasional Sydney Poitier film. What struck me about inception was the fact that here was a film that could be set in any film time period from the Grainy black and white of the early 40's to the odd technicolor of the late 50's, from the gritty 70's to the post modern and the opulent early 80's. (Minus of course the special effects innovations) The plot works in any time period, thanks to the very subtle non-inclusion of technology. Even the weapons in the film are relatively low tech. This to me is a triumph, the creation of a film that will be popular not just for a few years but will continue to be relevant no matter what the time period.

The Sound Track...

Level 3...