Inception (2010)

Given its mind-bending premise and special effects, Inception simply must be seen on the big screen. (Unfortunately, it suffers from a blaring, clanging soundtrack that makes your head feel like it is being continually struck between an anvil and a hammer. Granted, this is a minor quibble even if it's a deafening one.) Inception's premise and script are intelligent and complex -- less than I had hoped but laudably more than the vast bulk of blockbuster movies. I had hoped for more of a mind game nested within a mind game -- and while the movie delivers this, it is more about the action and fight scenes (like how The Lord of the Rings surrendered the books' highmindedness for the battle scenes). As we would expect, DiCaprio carries off his role's intensity and Ellen Page is superb in her role too. If the trailer interests you at all, see Inception by all means. It is not only a master stroke of a movie as well as a blockbuster but it is a movie I intend to own. 5 stars. (9-22-10 posted 11-3-10)