OK for kids 14+
Intense, complex, brilliant sci-fi thriller is OK for teens.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this complex, original science-fiction fantasy movie from the director of The Dark Knight has lots of action and violence -- including guns, blood, fighting, car crashes, etc. -- as well as some slightly scary imagery. But it's very light on language, sexy stuff, and drinking, so teen fans of star Leonardo DiCaprio should be able to handle it. It's not an easy story to explain, but it's very easy to follow; parents and teens will likely want to talk at length about the story and may even find themselves wanting to go back for a second helping.
- Families can talk about the film's violence. How did it affect you? Was it thrilling? Did the fact that it takes place in a dream give it more or less impact?
- Was the movie scary? If so, what made it scary?
- Why is it important to dream? What do your dreams tell you? Is it right to plant an idea in a person's head, even if that idea makes the person happy?
The good stuff
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Messages: Amid the intense scenes and images, the movie offers positive examples of teamwork and helping others. A subplot involving death and grieving also promotes acceptance and moving on. A more ambiguous message is sent by the main story, in which the characters try to plant an idea in someone's head against his will -- but manage to bring him a kind of peace in the process.
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Role models: The main character acts for personal reasons -- to earn the ability to return home to his kids -- and has a job that's slightly on the shady side. But when he's at work, his team shows excellent teamwork, as well as selflessness when it comes to their teammates' well being.
What to watch for
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Violence: Though most of the movie's violence takes place in dreams and is therefore not "real," it includes guns and shooting, gunshot wounds with blood, fistfights, rioting, explosions, car chases, and car crashes. Characters scream in pain when shot or stabbed. In the movie, being "killed" or committing suicide can "wake" you out of the dream. One character is shot in the head, another is stabbed, and another plunges off a building to her death.
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Sex: The main character pines for his dead wife, whom he still sees in his dreams. They share some intimate emotional moments, but there's no kissing, nudity, or sex. Two other characters share a brief kiss.
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Language: A few uses of exclamations like "goddamn it" and "Jesus Christ," as well as "hell," "ass," and "damn."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Adult characters drink wine, beer, and champagne, but no one overindulges.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
very very well done by enstuart
The person I saw the movie with gave it the best compliment. He thought it must have been adapted from a book because the story was so coherent. I agree. It was extremely well written and very well acted and directed. I never read reviews of science fiction movies until after I see the movie because critics invariably tell you too much about the story and only rarely figure out what is important in the movie. This movie avoids making the most serious error a sci-fi movie can make: It avoids confusing science fiction with science fantasy. Good science fiction takes a premise, in this case that a third party can have access to your dreams, and then shows you the real world as though that premise were true. Despite several intricate and overlapping story lines, this movie never loses its way. A plausible reason exists for everything that happens within the parameters of the story. This movie is a meld of Dreamscape and Dark City, but far superior to either one. Bravo
5
Move over Avatar: Inception's Special Effects leave you in the dust! by DelightfulDebra
The premise of Inception is a unique one: specially trained people can insert ideas in your head while you sleep, or probe your subconscious to extract desired information. And here's the kicker: although I didn't buy the premise for one second, I still thoroughly enjoyed the movie! The special effects are the best I have ever seen. I found the movie exciting, engrossing, and intelligent. I appreciated the deviation from the standard formulaic action fare. The protagonist and the young female did NOT have to experience any sexual tension. The characters were smart, dedicated to the mission, and protective of one another. Michael Caine was a surprise and a delight. And I loved the ending!
5
Thank you to all Inception talents... by LTMF 2
...for seeing your audience as intelligent,wanting to spend our money on something worthwhile, and not needy for gratuitous sex,nudity,blood,gore,vile language ETC ! I have seen this movie 4times now. Partly to have it all clear in my mind,partly to figure out what the end meant and MOSTLY to drink in the creativity and talent of all involved. DiCaprio is just incredible to me,although this may not be his widest range film,he is perfect as Cobb. Page is just the right blend of novice and ingenuity,Hardy ,smart and dashing and Levitt is untouchable in any work he does.And Murphy totally shocked me with the emotions conveyed in his expressions,he had alot of feelings to deal with here.Other actors are great,these just seemed more noteworthy.The Score...oh man...a character unto itself. Team these up with Nolan's 10 years of putting together this innovative and just within our reach premise.....we have here fan friends the movie of the decade,in my humble opinion.
5
Visually stunning and Ambitious. Doesn't dumb down the audience. by Cavatica
This is the second Chris Nolan film I've walked out of saying "Wow!" repeatedly. It honestly feels like something his brother, Johnathan would have written (like Memento). The great thing about Inception (and Nolan) is that it doesn't try to dumb down anything for the audience. The concepts are explained, yes, but the audience is expected to keep up after that. As a result, Inception could warrant a second (or even third) viewing to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together.
This is a great Ensemble film. The movie feels like an Ocean's Eleven or a well written Mission: Impossible episode. Every member has something to offer here, with Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt being the major standouts. Even Michael Caine and Cillian Murphy add some great touches. Overall, though, the story is carried by Leonardo DiCaprio (and Marion Cotillard, to some degree). Through the course of their mission - to enter someone's dream and implant an idea - you worry about the characters.
5
Mind-blowing Masterpiece by eljediloco
This film engages the audience from the very beginning and keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat with eyes wide open until the very end. The superb cast of the movie led by Leonardo DiCaprio and fellow young ubertalents Joseph Gordon Levitt, Cillian Murphy, and Ellen Page is balanced by the gravitas of Ken Watanabe, Michael Caine, and Tom Berenger. The mind bending special effects action stuntwork in the hotel scene keeps the audience in awe and amazement as to how such a feat can be possible, except in a dream.
This movie is not for the casual movie-goer; and although the plot challenges the audience to actively engage the cerebrum to follow along, it also hand-holds and reminds you of the superstructure of the plot so that one cannot get too lost through the complexities of Christopher Nolan's fictitious dream-exploring. The scoring for the film is also excellent, however, you may be too distracted by the awesomeness of everything else to notice.
Oscar records-setter???
5
Inception by terryweber
Excellent movie for the viewer who is interested in an intellectual excercise rather than just passive entertainment. I'm still trying to "peel the layers of the onion" as to the dream within a dream within a dream. One of the most entertaining and interesting movies I've seen this year. This movie is probably aimed at a demographic of 20 to 40 year olds looking for a departure from the norm in cinematic experiences.
5
Awesome! by Luvmydog
I'm a grandmother (60) who attended with my husband & grandson (15). We were all delighted to see a new concept after all the recent make-overs and sequels Hollywood seems to be so fond of! DeCaprio was the perfect choice for the lead.
The special effects were amazing...when the 4 were tied together & "floated" out of their hotel room, it looked as if they were actually in a no-gravity environment! The special effects added to, rather than detracted from or overwhelmed the story line. The concept was a bit "deep" at times & difficult to follow, but not distractedly so & not so "deep" that I couldn't keep up.
The ending was PERFECT! We three discussed our differing viewpoints of the ending all the way home. A movie that has grandparents & their teenaged grandson talking gets an A+ in my viewpoint!
The down side: our theatre doesn't understand that IMAX surround sound shouldn't be so blaringly loud it overwhelms the dialogue & causes pain to the viewers!
5
Amazing movie! by 111cv
This is the very first movie I have taken time to review... mainly because I couldn't believe that some people would rate it badly. My suspicion is that those who rate this movie anywhere below "GO" must not be intellectually developed enough to understand a movie that isn't made by Disney. Also, if you can't spell correctly, on a computer that has "Spell-check"... chances are I won't really believe your review... therefore I had to eliminate many bad reviews right off the bat.
DO NOT LISTEN TO THE BAD REVIEWS!!
If you enjoy a movie that makes you think a little bit more than just slapping a plot and a few actors in your face then go see this movie. Is it a little hard to follow? Yes, but that is the magic of this movie... it goes places I never would have thought of on my own. The acting is superb and the plot keeps you guessing until the very last second of the movie. Is it by far one of the best movies of the year, and if it doesn't win awards, I'll be surprised.
2
BUMMER!!! by sdgo
I saw many people checking their phones during this movie. The movie was loooong. It is one of those movies that the best special effects are in the trailer. I think the cast was solid except for Dicaprio. It seemed like a really cool concept that should of been a lot more imaginative. The movie was about dreaming but all you saw were images of a gun chase. A 2+ gun chase movie gets old fast. RENT THIS ONE. Save your $$$.
3
Less Than Meets The Eye by bwbob
Inception suffers from the same affliction as most action movies. It is pretty to watch, the effects are very good and the acting is sufficient. But the plot / writing is contrived, not overly imaginative, and in the end brings the whole movie down.
If you willingly except the writer's rules of how dreams work or just overlook them, you might enjoy this movie. Otherwise, enjoy a summer evening outside and save the ten bucks.