Inception: What I Would Have Done

So I finally saw Inception today. Obviously, it was somewhat enjoyable, but here are a couple more detailed thoughts. Spoilers throughout.

Bad:
1. Explosions
Seriously. There was an intense amount of action (explosions, gunfire, car chases, Bond-esque ski chases, etc) which I honestly think distracted from some of the better elements of the film, especially during the climax of the film which featured cuts to lots of skiing people doing...something? I understand the need to appeal to an average audience, but I think the film was strong enough without all of that.

2. Casting
As my previous post notes, I hate Ellen Page, but fortunately her character was just there to antagonize Leo periodically (more on character development later). And watching her fall off of a building was mildly fulfilling. But I also was uncomfortable with casting Leo as Cobbs. In the scenes with Marion Cotillard, he was alright--probably because her overall brilliance spilled over on him--but otherwise his character seemed to lack any real complexity.

3. Character development
I expect more from Christopher Nolan. Between the Prestige and Dark Knight, two fairly mainstream movies with impeccable character development, he has proven that he can do it. My suggestion would have been to cut the cast way down (the chemist, the forger and the professor come to mind as highly disposable characters. not to mention ellen page. grrr) and spend more time giving the other characters motive. And what a waste of Cotillard. She is incredible, but her character had so much potential. Tear.

I want to especially note the final few scenes of Inception, particularly the scene with the old Asian guy that the movie opens with. It was a truly profound emotional moment which would have been further enhanced had the character had more depth to begin with.

Overall, mediocre movie. No doubt it will get a best picture (and many other) nod(s) from the academy, though I'm less confident it will beat out some of the other character-driven pieces.

In other good news, the movies in the previews look great. Ben Affleck's new movie will be fantastic, though it's weird the trailer didn't credit him as the director of Gone Baby Gone. And how could George Clooney as an assassin not be delightful? And the sequel to Wall Street...haha. Well the Rolling Stones song was amusing, and the highlight was definitely Michael Douglas saying "It's about The Game" (there is no way that was accidental, right?).