User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 2132 Ratings

User score distribution:

Review this movie

  1. Your Score
    10 out of 10
    Rate this:
    out of 10
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  3. Characters remaining: 5000 out of 5000

  1. RedzuanM.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    What makes Inception so special is that it's not your typical straight forward summer blockbuster. Nolan gives you bits and pieces of information, and as the movie plays out the viewer begins to put the pieces together and the picture gradually becomes clearer. Chris Nolan doesn't dumb down the movie for the audience like most Hollywood movies do these days, he expects us to keep up with him. And when we do, the reward is extremely gratifying. And the visuals were amazing. Expand
    • 54 of 76 users said yes
  2. Aug 28, 2010
    8
    I'd like to keep my review rather to the point. Pros: 1. its theme - dream is a fascinating topic to say the least. There are a lot of unknowns in the dreamworld. 2. its plot - there are several sweet twists and unpredictable turns. 3. its edgy drive - although you know what's coming next but still you feel jumpy about it. 4. its fast storyline - the story moves fast from one scene to another, making the viewers feel like on a roller coaster ride. At times, it's hard to keep up, even at the second viewing. 5. its sophistication - there is a lot of information to remember and digest. This is the very thing the modern moviegoers are after, I believe. 6. its realism - okay, pun intended. The movie explains (or at least tries to) the ins and outs of what dream is about and how it functions, some of which are very familiar with and dear to us. Cons: 1. its poor character development - although the acting was convincing enough there was not enough of character development. I wonder how many people really felt connected to the main character(s) after watching the movie. Yes, the movie talks about emotional struggles but it was more of an action film, if you ask me. 2. too many distractions - I found that the movie had more than enough characters than necessary. They may play some roles in the plot but they seemed more of distraction than anything else. I wish the movie was more focused. 3. a bit preachy - I noticed the characters would explain things about the dreamworld and then the exact things happen later in the movie. I'm afraid, Inception overused this trick. In conclusion, its theme is fascinating but its delivery is not without room for improvement. I highly recommend you to go and read Somewhere carnal over 40 winks, if you dig this kind of flicks. Cheers! Expand
  3. JamesD.
    Jul 26, 2010
    5
    Not very good really. I've heard the word visionary thrown Nolan's way, but this film was the work of a rather sterile imagination. Yes, it had many layers of narrative cleverly interweaved with eachother, but there was little to compel me at its core. The root cause of Cobb's state of mind just didn't grab me - partly as this relationship was never given the chance to develop to a tangible level. The elements of subconscious displayed were tame and the approach to the dreamworld rather banal - focusing as it did mainly on bland designs, bendy gimmicks and exploding things. There was little edge to Nolan's vision, he seemed quite happy to drown us in relentless exposition and unimaginative slow-mo shots. Scenes were very quick and at no point approached the atmosphere and interest of a real dream. A shame, because at their best, this is what films can do - engineer the quality of a waking dream. Compare Inception to the more intriguing work of Lynch, where scenes seduce with the perfect balance of the real and surreal, and whose images tend to linger in the mind. On top of this, Nolan is simply not a very good director of action; he is quite loose with the camera, and I yearned for more flair and invention in these scenes. Instead, he relied on an incredibly insistent score to give the action some punch. For a film about dreams and the subconscious, it was curiously impersonal and mechanical. Certainly, the real danger and sexuality of the subconscious might scare off mainstream audiences, but Nolan was given free reign to do what he wanted - so why not do something more interesting? Freud and Jung would find little to interest them here, as the film is less concerned with psychology and more with the narrative possibilities afforded by a convoluted dreamworld fiction. Perhaps Nolan does dream of corporate worlds and Bond fortresses. Unfortunately, such things don't interest me. Expand
    • 18 of 57 users said yes
  4. JaneC
    Jul 18, 2010
    4
    I was hoping to give it a better score. I'll need to see it on Blu Ray later. It's one of those films that if you don't like it people think you're not cool. I'm not thick but I kept losing the plot.. Charactors had no depth. Film too long. Music too loud [although good] and you could only hear about 20% of the dialogue, so it was easy to lose your way. You couldn't hear ONE word that the Japanese chap said! Looked good with good actors but to be honest it left me cold. It became a' nightmare'. I will give it another go because Michael Cane was in it and Leonardo, two greats. By the way I thought Dark Knight was crap. Nolan seems to be a pretentious, self indulgent, up his own dark place, kind of person. Bring back the good old psycological 'Hitchcockian' thriller. I've just realized I'm overful of 'special effects'. This is just bilge dressed up, isn't it? Dissolusioned, yet again. Expand
    • 12 of 31 users said yes
  5. JustinS.
    Jul 18, 2010
    9
    Liked the depth of the main character. Want to see it again, but will watch it on Blu-Ray.
    • 11 of 17 users said yes
  6. Feb 24, 2012
    8
    Inception is a daring original, and mind-provoking film. One of 2010's best.
  7. SamK
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    INCEPTION: Nolan has re-ivented the art of film making. The BEST film I have seen in 15 YEARS!!!
    • 9 of 12 users said yes
  8. MarkV.
    Jul 20, 2010
    5
    People... it wasn't THAT good. Hard to follow and frankly not that interesting.
    • 9 of 19 users said yes
  9. JonathanP.
    Jul 16, 2010
    1
    This film has made ma lose my faith in humanity. I thought movie goers would be intelligent enough to see through this drivel.
    • 9 of 34 users said yes
  10. AlexN.
    Jul 16, 2010
    1
    Funny how people think complex equals smart and intellectual. This movie was a big bag of hot wind. Matrix was better.
    • 9 of 28 users said yes
  11. Aug 17, 2010
    2
    I thought this movie was not as good as people are saying. Because we knew it was dreams inside dreams the over the top fight scenes had no bearing. Who cared? As a result the movie became boring and repetitious. I would be very hard pressed to recommend this movie to anyone. Stay away.
  12. Jul 14, 2011
    8
    EVERYONE! Inception, was good. But...................................................................................................................................... AHHHHH, MY BRAIN!! IT BURNS!
  13. MitchellV.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    Excellent movie. Chris Nolan at his best. I was in need of a good mindf**k.
    • 8 of 10 users said yes
  14. TylerS.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    The film was flat out amazing. The story was engaging, the characters riveting and the concept was intriguing.
    • 8 of 9 users said yes
  15. Dylan
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    Absolutely incredible! There has never been a movie completely like it and neither will there be again. Why do we dream? I think that is what Nolan is really exploring here. Any critic who doesn't like this movie should be sentenced to having to watch Grown Ups in their dreams for the rest of their existence. ;)
    • 8 of 10 users said yes
  16. JoelF.
    Jul 18, 2010
    1
    Toy Story 3 is way better.
    • 8 of 35 users said yes
  17. Aug 28, 2010
    2
    We went because we enjoyed Memento, once we read a 3 page analysis of it; and Metacritic's high "score". But it was a disappointment. Where Memento was confusing but clever, and, once comprehended, brilliant.......Inception is confusing and boring, and way too long. The entire Alpine dream could have been eliminated with affecting the story line. Who was shooting who, anyway, and besides, who cares? I actually dozed off during this sequence. The chases scenes were also overdone and relatively uninteresting because it didnt much matter who got hit and who didnt. It is a dream, after all. The CGI is clearly clever and the links between the physical world and their effect on the dream world, amusing. But visionary? No. Entertaining? Only briefly. Expand
  18. ChrisO
    Jul 20, 2010
    10
    It seems that those who rate this movie low are the ones who cannot comprehend what its all about, nor can they interpret anything from the movie, be it from the pro critics, or just customers like me. I just saw this movie tonight with my friends and throughout the movie I just couldnt help but be bewildered at times at the complexity of the movie at times. The ending was one of the best and open endings Ive seen in a movie and can be interpreted so many ways. The movie is just fantastic, and has left my mind blown like many others. It is a must see this summer. Expand
    • 7 of 8 users said yes
  19. PaulJ
    Jul 30, 2010
    2
    Overated and over complicated. Never has such a talented cast gone to such waste.... none of the characters had any depth and the story telling was non-existent. Its hard to fathum what people enjoyed about this movie and how Nolan has gained such a big reputation. I went to see this movie with friends - had I been alone I would have left the theatre 50 mins into the film. Never have I been so disinterested in the outcome of a movie. The hero (Di Caprio) explains that you can never remember the beginning of a dream, and that dreams that seem to cover hours may only last a short time. Unfortunately, this nightmare last a full 2 1/2 hours!! Expand
    • 7 of 23 users said yes
  20. SergeyV.
    Jul 22, 2010
    10
    Its the most real Nolan from “Memento” time!! Great actor’s action as well (Tom Hardy I think is the best from them). Obviously it is one of the best movie ever!
    • 7 of 8 users said yes
  21. JamesT.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    Christopher Nolan, has probably incepted my mind cause this movie is all i can think about
    • 7 of 10 users said yes
  22. CM
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    Movies can be educational, moving, or simply an escape. This is the latter, and time flies as you watch it - not unlike in a good dream. Forget the actors, ignore the script, and divorce reality. Immerse yourself in it and enjoy what a good movie can do...
    • 7 of 9 users said yes
  23. Aug 22, 2010
    5
    Inception was highly entertaining to watch and very fun just for the talented performances, especially Leo's. I'm a big fan of his. However, as a science fiction fan too, I have to say that this movie falls short in providing anything that we haven't already seen. I can sight examples like The Matrix, Total Recall, The Cell, or Dreamscape. Inception's plot is chock full of all sorts of logical flaws. This is the only one I will note here to avoid spoiling the show: Ask yourself how Leo's character knew the van was falling into water when he was asleep. In the dream within the dream he commented something like "wait for the van to hit the water". That's just example No. 1. Watch it carefully - you'll notice many others. The story is definitely gripping and interesting but it seems that it tries too hard and one is easily distracted by all the unnecessary violence and action that just takes away from the movie's underlying idea. Not even a single mention about how they're actually hopping into eachother's dreams - the most we see is a briefcase with some kind of device contained within. If you want to see a better take on the Inception idea, I suggest Dreamscape (1984) starring Dennis Quaid. Same idea, less fluff, more story, less budget. Inception is worth one viewing and maybe a second just to list out its flaws. For what it's worth, I didn't like the Dark Knight either - I couldn't even finish one viewing there. This movie hasn't changed my opinion of Christopher Nolan's work. Expand
  24. Sam
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    Look at those contrarian hater critics at the bottom. Get real. This is the best movie to come out of the Hollywood crap factory in a long, long time. Brilliant.
    • 6 of 8 users said yes
  25. SamD.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    Wow. A masterpiece! how could some people dislike this?? it guess its like blade runner or 2001, which some people disliked. but wow, this was the best movie of the year, if not the decade.
    • 6 of 8 users said yes
  26. MikeW.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    The exponentially smart and puzzling "Inception" did a number on my brain. It's hard to describe a movie like this, you just have to see it for yourself!
    • 6 of 8 users said yes
  27. HerbleB.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    The mindblower of all films.
    • 6 of 8 users said yes
  28. DamonA.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    I could sit here all night telling you why this movie is probably the best movie I have ever seen, but that would be unnecessary. Simply put, go see this movie!
    • 6 of 8 users said yes
  29. JayS.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    The best movie i have ever seen since the dark knight. nolan is no doubt the next stanley kubrick.
    • 6 of 8 users said yes
  30. MikeD.
    Jul 16, 2010
    4
    I suppose if I didn't know anything about movies or science fiction, this film would be spectacular. I'm glad Nick Pinkerton of the Village Voice had the cajones to call this movie out.
    • 6 of 14 users said yes
  31. Nov 23, 2010
    10
    for me, the best movie this year so far.....10 out of 10...i really loved the plot..it was kinda confusing but it was well done..a well written script and a great director...A+
  32. Sep 10, 2011
    8
    The movie's plot may baffle the audience, but Christopher Nolan's "Inception" dazzles us with powerful visuals, an ensemble cast, and mostly the director's mind blowing creativity.
  33. ArjunS
    Jul 23, 2010
    10
    Amazing Movie, I have to say this is one of the best movie in recent years, Possibly best in this year, Everything is Perfect.
    • 5 of 6 users said yes
  34. Ashmeriel
    Jul 16, 2010
    5
    "Inception" is a visually dazzling film, whose individual images never quite cohere under a clunking script that throws piles of red-herrings at viewers in a failed attempt to leave them with the same brain tinglings that films like Total Recall and the Matrix left. Nolan gets credit for his ambitious aspirations; but the real question is why bother making a story that has nothing new to offer on the world of dream/thought creation? In the end, "Inception" is a sanguine attempt to repackage old concepts in a sleek, empty way. Stay home and read a Borges book until this is available for rent. Expand
    • 5 of 11 users said yes
  35. tomM.
    Jul 16, 2010
    0
    What a waste of time & film. As we left the movie we asked what did the people understand about the movie - confusion is probably the best reply. Your critics' review system "blew" this one - bummmer.
    • 5 of 20 users said yes
  36. ToddK.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    A mindf**k. A meditation on the nature of reality vs. perception. One thing's for certain. It's a movie that each person will take something different away with them from.
    • 5 of 7 users said yes
  37. SudipD.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    One of the best movie i've ever seen
    • 5 of 9 users said yes
  38. BradA.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    Wow! this movie was unlike everything i have ever seen. now i know how people felt when they first saw 2001 or blade runner.
    • 5 of 8 users said yes
  39. JackR.
    Jul 29, 2010
    4
    My friends: this is not an intelligent film. This is just basic action flick with embarrasing plot, bad dialogue and absolutely nothing to tell us. The ones that feel that they have seen a "masterpiece" are seriously fooled by the shining surface and "witty" dialogue of this nonsense. But that's only human, isn't it?
    • 5 of 11 users said yes
  40. RoganK.
    Jul 29, 2010
    2
    Was looking forward to watching this movie so got me a ticket. The movie is about people working for an organisation thalt go into other peoples dreams to steal data. Movie goes on forever and is both boring and confusing and full of filler, only gave it a 2 for special effects.
    • 5 of 15 users said yes
  41. TBoneG
    Jul 16, 2010
    5
    Can we please stop giving these directors such freedom to screw with us and explain their nonsensical b.s. as a "dream" or a "flashback"? Enough with you film school dropouts who walk away from movies like this not understanding jack yet exclaiming "that was brilliant"!!!
    • 5 of 11 users said yes
  42. Alaniz
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    Think chess not checkers and you will enjoy it
    • 5 of 7 users said yes
  43. AndyM.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    Saw it at midnight. Can't wait to see it again. Remarkable, novel, exciting masterpiece that is not to be missed. It's more of a heist film than a character driven piece, but as heist films go it's as intellectually awesome as it can possibly be.
    • 5 of 8 users said yes
  44. Carmela
    Jul 17, 2010
    1
    Would have given this a zero, but gave it a 1 since I was able to catch a good nap during it. What a wanna be metaphysical bunch of crap! The only way to enjoy this movie is if you were dreaming while you were watching it.
    • 5 of 15 users said yes
  45. LisaM.
    Jul 18, 2010
    0
    If this movie makes someone think, they probably haven't had many thoughts before. Basically recycled ideas wrapped in some boring nonsense ("exposition") intercut with action sequences that aren't even that spectacular and quite boring CGI. Whoever thinks these ideas are fresh, needs to read more and watch better movies -- Existenz, World on a Wire, Dark City, The Thirteenth Floor, Matrix, even something like Last Year at Marienbad which manages to have complex ideas about memory and human mind and complex arresting visuals before CGI even existed. As to the originality of the visuals -- the New York Times reviewer was too kind to the movie but he was right -- dreams and the subconscious aren't that literal and obvious. If the subconscious was so literal, it wouldn't be the subconscious. And the visuals in something as crappy as "The Cell" were much more interesting. Expand
    • 5 of 14 users said yes
  46. TonyB.
    Jul 29, 2010
    4
    Extremely well-designed, filmed and edited and more thsn sdequately acted, "Inception" is nevertheless essentially hogwash. We've been told that to really understand this film, we need to see it several times, but once is enough... If anything, a repeated viewing will more fully expose its nonsense.
    • 5 of 10 users said yes
  47. Sep 8, 2010
    4
    Watching Inception is like watching an episode of the A-team or Hart to Hart. You find the same scene in all three things, a car in slow motion falling into the water. The shame is that when in those tv shows it lasts 3 minutes to the max, in Inception it lasts 1 hour and a half. One could think Chris Nolan did it on purpose and was giving us his thought on pop culture... Alas, C. Nolan doesn't reflect on his art at all... He only wants to entertain and impress us with a cheap special effect from the 80s... Nothing will be as deep as your deception when you'll watch Inception. If you want a good and fun summer entertainment movie go see piranha 3D, if you want a beautiful and thoughtful film about dreams qo see Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. Expand
  48. JudithR.
    Jul 17, 2010
    1
    One note movie-- mostly an unvarying level of all- out action throughout, and loud, bombastic soundtrack too, so it gets more and more boring to sit through. Not all dream sequences needed to be like Nazi horror dreams; but the few scenes in which Nolan introduced less noisy interactions were short and not very engaging. Not for thoughtful viewers.
    • 4 of 17 users said yes
  49. JesseB.
    Jul 17, 2010
    4
    I think I've finally had it up to about here with Christopher Nolan. If you have ever seen a photograph of him, you might come away with the impression that his cranium is a tad larger than the rest of polite society (literally). This is not to speak badly of a person due solely to a physical quality which one possesses (as I have a gigantic boulder of a bald noggin) but to make the point that every inch of that fabled dome seems to be filled only with himself. Nolan, with the aid of his screenwriter brother, Jonathan, gave to us what many consider to be the grand achievement of the super-hero genre film to date, "The Dark Knight". I know what we are all thinking, "it doesn't take much to be the best of the bunch in that arena of film making." You are probably right, although there have been those rare exception, such as the aforementioned "Knight", which have exceeded the expectations of the viewer and brought us somewhere else rather than the local comic books store. With his latest directorial effort, "Inception", Nolan takes us on a trip through the imagination... literally. The story is of a man named Cobb (Leonardo Dicaprio) who works as a kind of secret agent for hire. He does all of the same task which would be called upon by any other spy, accept his playing field is not that of a world landscape, but that of the subconscious, and the men which chase after him do not belong to any organization, but are the projections of the host mind's subconscious which one deploys in order to guard one's self from mental harm. You see, Dicaprio, and crew, have the ability to dive into a sleeping person's dream and thus wade around their subconscious, extracting information which somebody else thinks it's important enough to pay someone off to steal. This may all sound rather confusing upon glancing over a simple synopsis, but I found the story all very decipherable-- perhaps too decipherable. "Inception" refers to the idea (you get it, "idea") that one would, in theory, be able to penetrate the sleepers mind and, instead of stealing an idea from the dreamer, one plants an idea in his head, making it as if the idea generated itself organically without the aid of any outside source. But who would want a skilled spy, such as Dicaprio, to a thing as that? Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai, Batman Begins), who else. To get into the plot is just what this film would take the pleasure in having me do, because really, this film is nothing but plot. I don't necessarily have a problem with that, a film having a heavily plotted structure, but when the plot is the only thing that matters in the film, neglecting to develop characters and anything else beyond that which brings you from point A to B, I tend to get a little cranky. I got especially cranky while watching this flick. When you watch as many movies as I have (and I am sure that some of you have seen many more) you tend to learn things about the standardized structuring of a film which is used almost as a blueprint while a screenwriter crafts the tale which he wishes to weave. This is particularly true in a mystery-- nothing is discussed in the film unless it will have some sort of payoff in the end. This unfortunate blunder causes one to immediately catch on to the wool which the director would wished to pull over our eyes. Don't worry, I'm not going to give anything away. What is extremely tiresome is when one catches on too this little ploy, this ruse, and spends the rest of the time in the theater counting down the minutes until he or she is either proven correct or incorrect. I was correct... that is, I was correct ten minutes into the movie. I had many issues with this film, some having to do with what Roger Ebert calls the "idiot plot," a term which refers to the characters having to be somewhat dim in certain situations in order for the truth of the mystery to pass them by. For instance, upon exiting the dream of a failed mission, Dicaprio and crew wake up only to have the man whom they were attempting to steal from wake up as well and pull a gun on them. Now, imagine for a moment that you are undertaking this potentially dangerous mission with a group of your friends. The person that you are thieving from is asleep right next to you and, if by chance he finds out that you are doing him wrong, he may well become rather upset with you. Would you not take the two seconds out of your busy schedule to pat him down and make sure that he is not packing heat? Of course if you take away the gun before he wakes up there will be no fight and suddenly Hollywood execs begins to see those dollar signs peeling away from their eyes. Another problem that I had was that I did not like Dicaprio in the role. I found my eye much more attracted to actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, a very appealing and intense young actor who has real star quality. I could have watched him for two-and-a-half hours, no problem. And yet another issue I take with the movie is the use of actor Pete Postlethwaite,one of Britain's finest Shakespearean actors, used only in two scene and in both he is confined to a hospital bed and is rendered practically useless as he is little more than a vegetable. If you are going to hire an actor as good as Postlethwaite than at least give him something to do. But them main villain in this whole mess is the use of plot itself. I knew I was in trouble when the film was ten minutes in and they already started explaining the plot to us. Don't tell me about the movie, guys. Just show it to me. I think Nolan is often times too preoccupied with the concept of control. He seems to think that he is the supreme magician who carries all of the secrets to a great show within his own self containing head. He condescends to the audience, making futile attempts at diverting our eyes thus perfecting his "masterful" illusion. Yet in his arrogance he forgets that his audience comes equipped with a fully functioning brain which is made curious by the attempts at diversion and looks past the unfruitful wavings of the wand only to discovers that what they are witnessing is not magic, but a man who thinks that he is one step ahead of the rest. This, of course would sound very familiar to those aware of Nolan's work, as it seems very close to a synopsis of his 2006 film "The Prestige". In fact this is Nolan's true artistic obsession, going all the way back to 2001's "Memento" a film which tells itself in reverse, from end to beginning, and would seem an amazing achievement, but when examined closer, it is only found to be a cheap gimmick which does not hold up. "Inception" is not the worst movie ever. In fact, a great many people may very much enjoy it. There are some fantastic visuals and... well... the visuals are good. The story-- rather, the various plot points which have been strung together in order to make some semblance of a story, is not as revolutionary as everyone seems to make it out to be. It is definitely no "2001: A Space Odyssey" or whatever great film which this has been compared to, it is a popcorn flick which would have you think that it is more intelligent than it really is because it introduces topics which are somewhat out of the ordinary, but have been addressed multiple times in far better movies movies and in literature. If you really have a hankerin' for movies about dreamlike realities, try watching "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" or even "The Matrix". I know while I was in the theater today, I was wishing that either of those movies were rolling instead of this one. Expand
    • 4 of 9 users said yes
  50. DavidB
    Jul 18, 2010
    0
    Lisa M is spot on. For a film to depict dream content in such a prosaic and visually unimaginative way -- especially given the budget available to Mr. Nolan -- is a major failure.
    • 4 of 15 users said yes
  51. Vs.Dobbs
    Jul 16, 2010
    6
    This movie is visually stunning but also boring as all get-out. The first 20 minutes are okay and the last are okay, but the middle 9 and a half hours are slow moving, inconsistent, and downright sloppy.
    • 4 of 7 users said yes
  52. AmyC
    Jul 29, 2010
    2
    Was expecting a lot more from this film. My overall feeling is that Nolan has intentionally and pretentiously complicated the whole plot, forcibly added a lot of unnecessary elements and scenes in order to make it a "big" movie. Would have been much better if kept simpler. The role played by Ellen Page was a total mis-cast as she seemed to be completely out of place. My 2 stars go to DiCaprio. Expand
    • 4 of 13 users said yes
  53. FelipeRico
    Jul 17, 2010
    10
    Inception was so awesome,with lots of dreams, awesome setting,cool visual effects,great characters,and mindless fun to watch that sucks into your mind!
    • 3 of 5 users said yes
  54. AngieK.
    Jul 17, 2010
    6
    Movie was not original at all. All the concepts have been used before...left the movie feeling very cheated!!!
    • 3 of 8 users said yes
  55. JosephN
    Jul 23, 2010
    10
    Definitely the most innovative and original movie of the year with an amazing and metaphorical storyline along with sophisticated visuals that will keep you intrigued throughout the whole two and a half hours.
    • 3 of 5 users said yes
  56. LucasH.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    This movie is proof that christopher nolan is on his way to joining the pantheon of masterful directors. this is the most complicated movie I have ever seen, while at the same time being completely original, and very entertaining. In this day and age, that is something truly incredible. I'm not sure yet if this is his best movie (a few more viewings will decide that), I didn't find it as fun as the Dark Knight or Memento, however, there is something remarkable about this movie that I cant quite put my finger on that really resonates with me. I cant give it a high enough recommendation. The one thing is it wont insult your intelligence, but it may make the mistake of assuming your a rocket scientist. And for you rocket scientists out there, fasten your seat belts, its going to be one hell of a ride. Expand
    • 3 of 6 users said yes
  57. EllisA.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    An incredible movie in the best tradition of Hollywood. This movie demonstrates the great success that filmmakers can have when they dare to step outside the established ideas and ancient rehashed storylines and create something totally new and awesome. Yes, Inception takes from the best movies of recent history, but does so in an artful and thoughtful way. Nolan is building, not copying. The critics can say whatever gives them their jollies, but I loves the effects, I loved the storyline, I loved the characters and emotion, and I loved the ending. Hollywood, take note: This is how movies are made. Expand
    • 3 of 6 users said yes
  58. MaryB.
    Jul 17, 2010
    0
    I thought the plot was boring and gimmicky. The characters lacked depth. The whole movie felt like a collection of trite special effects.
    • 3 of 14 users said yes
  59. DustinN.
    Jul 17, 2010
    0
    This movie was utter garbage. If there were no Dark Knight, none of you would care a lick about Nolan or Inception.
    • 3 of 13 users said yes
  60. DanJ.
    Jul 17, 2010
    0
    You guys are nuts. You really want to believe this is the best movie ever? This movie was shallow as a kiddie's pool.
    • 3 of 13 users said yes
  61. LoriG.
    Jul 17, 2010
    5
    The idea behind this movie seemed original enough, but I didn't much care for it. Normally, I love this genre of film, but truth be told, both my sister and I kept falling asleep, despite the very loud volume in the theater. I just didn't find any of the characters compelling, and the plot seemed full of holes. Some great special effects, but that was about it for me.
    • 3 of 7 users said yes
  62. JoshuaC
    Jul 19, 2010
    3
    Inception is nice enough to look at; the DP is Wally Pfister, who frequently collaborates with Nolan, and he makes those Parisian streets, in particular, look very pretty and bright. But the deeper you get into the movie, the more its polished visual surface feels like a deception. Nearly every moment in Inception is so big, so fattened-up, that nothing has any weight; because every little thing is of the gravest importance, there’s nothing at stake. Nolan keeps the story whirring, all right — he’s the man behind the curtain, feverishly pushing levers and operating dials. He uses his figurative bullhorn to ask allegedly deep questions, like “What’s real, and what’s illusion?” (He’s the Doug Henning of filmmakers.) But although Inception gives the appearance of being a work of intelligence and complexity, it’s really just an ungodly tangle. There’s no elegance in Nolan’s vision, only sweat. He’s the dream architect who thinks he’s doing us a favor by giving us a shag rug. Expand
    • 3 of 7 users said yes
  63. JamesS.
    Jul 16, 2010
    3
    Boring. Boring. Boring. This movie didn't have enough action. The action scenes aren't even memorable. Parts of the film, such as the use of mental time dilation, are ripe for parody already. I kept thinking... haven't I seen this film before? Stupid.
    • 3 of 72 users said yes
  64. JimS.
    Jul 16, 2010
    9
    Thoughtful, with a great ensemble cast, carried without a misstep by Leonardo. A fantastic story with locations, action, and effects worthy of any Bond or Matrix offering. Not a dead minute in the entire 2+ hours. Film making on a grand and wonderful scale. Daring, confident, and beautiful. A must see. 9.5
    • 3 of 5 users said yes
  65. SteveM.
    Jul 16, 2010
    6
    Not Airbender bad. But not what the commercial makes it out to be. Watching it once was more than enough.
    • 3 of 5 users said yes
  66. LorenD.
    Jul 16, 2010
    6
    I was waiting so long to see this movie. Leo was great. It was kinda trippy at first, then it just got boring. The movie looked great though.
    • 3 of 4 users said yes
  67. MartinS.
    Jul 16, 2010
    5
    Okay... I expected so much from this movie, and it was such a freakin' let down. This is not the second coming Nolan fans. this movie sucked and there is no connection to Kubrick other than wow -- he had water popping out and an elevator sequence shot on a huge ferris wheel... big whup.
    • 3 of 7 users said yes
  68. JimboG.
    Jul 16, 2010
    0
    Warning: this movie is basically two-and-a-half hours of talky, pretentious exposition intercut with boring, generic summer-blockbuster-gunfight/car-chase action scenes. (Also, the good guys here are armed with the same Magic Hollywood Bullets that enable one nearsighted cowboy to singlehandedly kill a hundred Indians.) As for "visually stunning," don't believe the hype---it's the same now-familiar CGI crap you've seen everywhere from "The Matrix" to car commercials on network TV. Expand
    • 3 of 14 users said yes
  69. JectorP.
    Jul 17, 2010
    1
    I'm sorry, I understood this movie the first time. There was nothing to understand. A guy goes into a dream, then goes into another dream, then goes into another dream, then he may have died in one dream, while living an eternity in another, or the whole thing was one big dream, or parts of his psyche are sleeping while other parts are awake, and the whole thing might be an endless torrent of cognitive disruption. Either way, Nolan did nothing new. And don't get me started about that cross-cutting bs. Have you seen Time Code? Okay, so there are people have done what Nolan has done before. If you only read the review, you are going to buy the hype because that's all there is, is hype. Expand
    • 3 of 10 users said yes
  70. VitoM
    Jul 18, 2010
    0
    Worst movie of 2010. Terribly confusing, bloated, overlong. Music is horrible, Ellen Page is mis-cast. Best Picture worthy? Must be a bad year for movies. Dialogue goes on and on and on. Too much expostion, confusing action scenes. Did I mention boring? Indifferent acting, none of the plot makes sense.
    • 3 of 11 users said yes
  71. ChrisR.
    Jul 29, 2010
    3
    Why do I keep forgetting how overrated Christopher Nolan is? Why all the praise? Please, someone explain. MEMENTO is brilliant, but that's it. I respect him for his ambitious productions, but his post-Memento writing & directing skills are ...mediocre at best. He has the mind of a pretentious mathematician, and his films are cold, soulless, and without heart. The "romance" in this film is more like an intellectual exercise. The characters are stiff, and speak glib 50's dialogue. This surreal heist story is too convoluted for its own good, and I don't enjoy experiencing a story through constant explanation. I understood (most of) it, but there is a difference between 'understanding' and 'feeling'. I didn't feel the forced stakes in this film. I wasn't invested in the characters until nearly the end. There are some interesting moments and a couple of daring ideas. A few really cool visuals... but not as many as I was expecting (all are revealed in the trailers). Overall, the majority of the film left me bored and unengaged. The last half hour picks up, but not enough to reverse course. Dammit, I am obligated to see the next Batman film. But after that, someone please remind me how I feel about Nolan. Expand
    • 3 of 10 users said yes
  72. Aug 14, 2010
    10
    Inception is one of the rare movies that you need to watch twice but can completely enjoy the first time. Stunning visuals, great acting, and a superb setting more than enliven the complicated plot. More importantly, Inception is truly unique. Make no mistake, Inception is a heist movie. In structure it is more similar to Ocean's Eleven than the Godfather. Unlike other crime movies, however, it examines crime as part of the human condition endemic to even our dreams. Expand
  73. Aug 25, 2010
    10
    This is one of the finest and most intriguing movies that I have ever seen. It has been years since a Hollywood movie kept my attention from start to finish. My hats off to Chris Nolan for restoring some of my faith in film. I am trying to pinpoint what really drew me into the story but am unable to even come close. Sure the plot and sense of dream vs reality but it was more of the whole package. Just about every aspect (including the film score, acting, and effects) was right on. The movie was so intense for me that I literally said WOW at the end each time. This is a movie that gets better with a 2nd viewing. This film should be shining light to all the Hollywood establishment that they have the power to make great films. Expand
  74. Oct 11, 2010
    9
    Probably the best psychological thriller of the decade, at least. It's not flawless, since different aspects of the movie will appeal to different personalities (for example, not everyone will be on the edge of their seat for a zero gravity fight scene), but yeah, definitely a complex and mind-boggling movie that's worthy of appreciation, if you're up for the challenge. And, honestly, I was confused my first time watching this movie (maybe it had one too many layers), but it was much more clear the second time around fyi. Expand
  75. Nov 12, 2010
    10
    Like it's Idea of dream within a dream Inception is masterpiece within a masterpiece. Christopher Nolan's idea is unique and brilliant. The Director is in top form :).
  76. CharlieLawson
    Jul 18, 2010
    10
    Best movie I have seen since The Return of the King. Don't understand how someone can not like this movie. Has everything you want in a movie.
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  77. EvinC.
    Jul 17, 2010
    9
    A film that can't be explained in words but only by Nolan's fantastic vision. That ending is overwhelmingly amazing,
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  78. JayL.
    Jul 18, 2010
    10
    Refreshing.... at the end of the movie people seemed mesmerized and gave it an honest, spontaneous standing ovation.
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  79. CalebM.
    Jul 24, 2010
    9
    Great movie that keeps the mind moving the whole time.
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  80. CalebR.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    A classic in the making... This is a film that will go down as one of the greatest films ever! I am not going to waste my time trying to explain the film to you guys as it is a film you just need to see! 10 Stars and one of the greatest films ever!
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  81. ChrisF.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    Man there are a lot of simpletons on here that seem to want to bash the movie only because it is a bit too complex for their liking. The movie was absolutely brilliant! The storyline was so intricate and well-woven only made better by the great cast that portrayed it. I saw it last night and I am still thinking about it. Sure there were a lot of gunfights and explosions and such, but the difference here was that I actually CARED about the people in the fights, and they were effectively used to tell the story. Don't let these haters sway you from seeing this movie, it's probably the smartest bit of entertainment that will be pumped out of hollywood in quite some time. Expand
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  82. JivanA.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    To be honest, I've been on metacritic for many years, looking to this site as a sort for reviews. To decide the films I choose to watch, I use a combination of what the critics say plus the user reviews. In all my time here, i've NEVER felt obliged to sign up to leave a review. This movie was pure fantastic in film form. It's a bit of a mind-bender, as it deals with consciousness and reality on multiple levels, through the state of dreaming, but if you go in with an open mind and pay attention, you'll love the entire experience, from start to finish. I do highly suggest seeing it in IMAX, it makes the experience everso that much better. Happy viewing all! Expand
    • 2 of 4 users said yes
  83. MichaelH.
    Jul 16, 2010
    10
    I am what you'd call a movie buff, and this is the best movie I've ever seen. I can't recommend or elaborate any more, go see it, seriously. It doesn't deserve the 1-10 scale so instead of looking at the number of my rating just know you need to go see this movie.
    • 2 of 4 users said yes
  84. PeggyH.
    Jul 19, 2010
    10
    These people are so wrong about this being just like every other movie. this is so much different than the matrix and other things, but it still is another great movie to put into that catagory. this movie is a scifi action movie that is centered around a heist. The people that don't like this are afraid of change. go see this movie!
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  85. PatW
    Jul 19, 2010
    10
    For a movie goer who enjoys creativity and originality this may be one of the greatest films you will ever see. Best Picture Worthy.
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  86. ErikD
    Jul 19, 2010
    9
    Great film. Intelligent enough that I admit to getting lost a few times, but in the end I didn't doubt the filmmakers so much as myself.
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  87. AlexP.
    Jul 17, 2010
    10
    This movie was incredible. Best movie I've seen in years. Better than the Matrix. Chris Nolan really pulled off an unbelievable piece of directing and the story is absolutely amazing. Don't miss it!
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  88. JimK.
    Jul 17, 2010
    6
    Sure this has extreme special effects just like any other blockbusters. However, none that one hasn't been seen before. Actually Matrix was the first film of it's kind that totally blew my senses! Inception I felt actually stole some of it's idea from Matrix but not as effective. Dream within a dream within a dream is nothing new. Central idea is brilliant however could9;ve been executed with better actors. Mostly I'm getting weary of Leonardo DeCaprio's redundant character of this "tortured soul" acting with his wife..very reminiscent of the movie "Shutter Island". In fact the character is one and the same. Same mannerism, redundant accent he seem to have acquired from the movie "Aviator" is becoming very annoying for the subsequent movies he's played in so far. Mainly a very good music soundtrack would've really helped the movie but that was absent making the movie seem very long and slow to get to the point. The ending of the movie however definitely made me think and analyze. I would not recommend this movie to a friend but advise them to wait until it comes out on blu-ray or DVD. Overall I felt cheated as I left the theater. Expand
    • 2 of 4 users said yes
  89. HW
    Jul 18, 2010
    2
    Disjoineted plot. Could not carel less about the characters. Stale dialogue and nothing interesting. Director trying to be clever by confusing audience, so when the end comes you sit and wonder what the hell you just saw.
    • 2 of 8 users said yes
  90. LallyR.
    Jul 29, 2010
    2
    There is a great idea for a film here. Too bad the film they made is so terrible.
    • 2 of 8 users said yes
  91. JarrodC.
    Jul 29, 2010
    3
    An absurd and boring movie. Remember being 8 years old and writing a story with the ending "...but it was all a dream"? Inception is similar, but tells you that it's all a dream right from the start, thereby making it impossible to become emotionally involved in the plot, and therefore the characters. Ken Watanabe's acting is appalling. Don't waste 10 bucks going to see this.
    • 2 of 8 users said yes
  92. AngelicaR.
    Jul 16, 2010
    2
    Whoever is giving this film high marks is either a TDK Nolan fan, or a moron. Even from an objective Nolan fan it deserves maybe a 5 at the most. I give it a 2 because in comparison to his other movies, this one was weak, convoluted, oddly structured, and didn't have enough originality to keep me rooted. People who say it is imaginative should go rent the Matrix and Existenz and the Thirteenth Floor. I mean if imaginative is "extracting" other people's ideas, then I guess this movie was imaginative. Expand
    • 2 of 8 users said yes
  93. RamonT.
    Jul 16, 2010
    0
    Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Hey, can one of you guys who liked this movie so much, pay me for my lost time?
    • 2 of 10 users said yes
  94. JackH.
    Jul 16, 2010
    0
    Folks, this the first movie I've ever walked out of half-way through. If you like a confusing plot, typical Hollywood visions of urban destruction, complete with large-calibre handguns killing people randomly and disjointed rambling dialogue by cut-out characters... you'll love this movie.
    • 2 of 9 users said yes
  95. Susan
    Jul 17, 2010
    6
    Fight scene was great, otherwise this movie was disappointing. The plot was just absurd--scifi should make SOME attempt to connect with reality...
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  96. Sue
    Jul 17, 2010
    6
    Great effects, good performance by DiCaprio. But the plot is so lame...a dream within a dream within a dream within...Please!
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  97. Bill
    Jul 17, 2010
    1
    One of the worst movies of the year. Unoriginal, non- inspiring performances. Very thin story. Very slow moving. Effects were cool, but have been done numerous times before. The Matrix blows this movie away. Nothing new here. Very predictable. Knew how it would end a half hour in. If you are intelligent, avoid this one!
    • 2 of 9 users said yes
  98. MitchG.
    Jul 17, 2010
    0
    Completely ridiculous story with a thousand flaws in logic, compounded by the fact that it's completely impossible to follow. Two hours of my life I wish I could have back. Total waste of the gazillion dollars they spent making this baloney. Save your money!
    • 2 of 9 users said yes
  99. JonathanJJ
    Jul 28, 2010
    1
    Inception tries to be clever but gets bogged down in over complex dialogue constantly having to explain itself. It seems to be inventing its plot as it goes along in order to fit as much dream mumbo jumbo as possible. When the 'guru' in the opium den dream theatre refers to his 'addicted dreamers' and announces - who's to say whether or not their dreams are reality or not in other words - are we therefore in the dream - I got up and walked out - if I wanted that kind of teenage logic I ll go and watch Nightmare on Elm Street. Expand
    • 2 of 7 users said yes
  100. Aug 10, 2010
    9
    Not since The Matrix have I been this enthralled by a movie that happens inside the subconscious. Very cool film, smart, detailed but not confusing, and a great ending.
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 42
  2. Negative: 3 out of 42
  1. 100
    In terms of sheer originality, ambition and achievement, Inception is the movie of the summer, the movie of the year and the movie of our dreams.
  2. In a summer of remakes, reboots and sequels comes Inception, easily the most original movie idea in ages.
  3. Reviewed by: Justin Chang
    100
    If Inception is a metaphysical puzzle, it's also a metaphorical one: It's hard not to draw connections between Cobb's dream-weaving and Nolan's filmmaking -- an activity devoted to constructing a simulacrum of reality, intended to seduce us, mess with our heads and leave a lasting impression. Mission accomplished.