Inception (PG-13)

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Wantanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page

In a world where the technology exists to commit “grand theft mentality," Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is the best of the best. After a life a storming people’s dreams in order to uncover their greatest secrets, Dom is left with nothing. Having no valuables or no loved ones, Dom has no choice but to accept a bribe for one last crime that will set him straight for life. However, this last heist has a tricky twist in it. Dom won’t be stealing ideas and secrets, but planting them. While encountering many mind-bending and thought-stretching obstacles along the way, Dom and his team strive to pull off the perfect crime in “Inception."

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: “Inception” is going to be the surprise hit of the summer. While I’m not saying that this film hasn’t been marketed world wide or that it’s a low-budget film in any way, I am saying that it has different aspects that may cause it to sneak up on a few people. Those stack up as follows:

“Inception” is a lot like “The Prestige." Both movies are “in between” movies that were put out by critically acclaimed director Christopher Nolan. “The Prestige” was released in between “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight," while “Inception” is being released post-"Dark Knight" and pre–“Batman 3” (which starts filming in March 2011). “The Prestige” was a great mind-bending and aesthetically pleasing film that snuck up on audiences all across America in 2006 (and is actually regarded as a better film than "Batman Begins"). I fully expect “Inception” to have the same, lasting effect and if history stays true, it should be a great movie.

The cast is full of proven, but fresh talent. You have some old, well-renowned names such as DiCaprio and Sir Michael Caine, but “Inception" also features some fresh faces like Ellen Page ("Juno") and Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("3rd Rock From The Sun"). It will be very interesting to see how those well-known names mesh with the fresh potential that will be put on screen.

The visual effects should be insane. In “The Dark Knight” and “Batman Begins,” director Christopher Nolan used close to no computer generated effects, but still created some of the most visually pleasing movies that many people have ever seen. One can just imagine what Nolan will do once he gets his hands on a script that calls for stunning visuals. Also, by the look of the previews, it looks like he did quite the job.

“Inception” looks to be a great movie that strays away from the normality of no-brainer summer blockbuster. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t see this movie, I think it will be the surprise, but smash, hit of the summer.

VERDICT: See it, ASAP.