Inception (2010)

“You’re asking me for inception. I hope you understand the gravity of that request.”

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This story describes a heist in reverse.  Dominic Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his cohorts practice an unusual espionage called extraction:  they steal ideas from a target’s subconscious.  Lately haunted by memories of his own, Cobb nonetheless agrees to One More Mission, to implant an idea in the mind of a mark, the delicate danger of inception.

In many ways Inception is an experience I’ve waited for all my life, a fractal chase.  While I wish it offered the substance of an eXistenZ, on its own terms it’s a master of forms:  setups and payoffs for the caper-enthused, Fleming Sweep action for those who love Bond, and mental gymnastics for time travel fans.  If “hypnotist hit men in an Escher sketch” sounds like a dream come true, then you may want to give it a spin.

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Please note: This article is a “stub” review which has since been given an update.

Rated PG13 for disturbing scenes, language, and violence

148 minutes