BY ABIR THAKURTA

Chris Nolan has always been a favorite of mine. Not just because I think he is good (The Prestige), I think he is anatomical in every scene (The Dark Knight) and I think he is extremely creative (Insomnia) but also the amazing way he elegantly realizes his instincts (Following), his inner thoughts (Memento) and his portrayal of common characters on the canvas (Batman begins). He explores his inner thoughts, hones in on one aspect and then weaves it into a cinematic concoction with heavy emphasis on characterization (the genesis of a bat was just sublime). Chris may not have worldwide appeal but he sure has mine and I am sure quite a few who would be with me. What you get is a real movie, not a generic product out to make some money. 

With Inception he does it again.....a psychologically complex investigation into dream logic (your mind is the scene of crime) screen played into a fascinating visual feast that not only appeals to the regular movie-goer (who would rather not concentrate or comprehend), but the crazies (who seek scripts and characterization) and the critics (who review everything) alike. Science fiction (ability to enter people’s dreams and extract information through a technology called shared dreaming) coupled with drama (corporate espionage by altering the mind of the world's big energy baron) through ideas and images that make you feel "how did they do that" (Zero G in level 3 of the dream share), infused with the universally appealing emotion of love - Chris makes the audience traverse through his world and his mind bending thoughts and narrative consciousness yet hypnotizes them to feel good about his cinematic license that borders on the berserk but is not (even in his dream universe you don't walk on water or bend steel with your eyes). The best part - in the first 45 minutes, he teaches the concentrating audience what we need to know in order to enjoy the rest of the plot unlike some others where you are left wondering what is going on. That's Nolan again for you. 

All the actors do a good job - Leo (as the extractor mercenary) continues to turn out more and more movies that demonstrate his maturity (I think he is out to prove that his childish looks are really not the person he is). Marion Cotillard is her usual best (as the reason for the extractor's distractions on the job) bringing the emotional appeal. And all the other characters (Ken Watanabe of “the last samurai fame” and many who have worked with Chris before like Cillian Murphy and Michael Caine) do a fine job of playing what Chris expects of them. But the best part of the movie that makes it all work is the music - from the continuous slow burn to the crescendo that complements the mind spins. Hans Zimmer will probably make me buy the soundtrack on iTunes!

This is a Nolan movie and he makes you feel good that for 2 hours 22 minutes he is your tour guide. 

Rating: Pretty Darn Good.