'Inception' dir. Christopher Nolan

It was something of a shock to be confronted by something so intellegent and gripping. Given that recent releases include a surfeit of Hollywood staples (re-makes, teen horror, more teen horror), Nolan's film certainly distinguishes itself by being different. It mixes high-octane action sequences with a script that stops to question the motives of its characters.

The result is a film that crosses genres, it could easily be classified as a sci-fi, mystery or thriller and it has a good case for being all three. The action mainly centres around Leo Di Caprio's character Justin Cobb as he prepares a heist to steal corporate secrets. However, it is quickly revealed that this is no ordinary crime thriller. Cobb is a criminal who works exclusively in dreams.

Their target is the heir to a large corporation, a man called Robert Fischer who is brilliantly played by Cillian Murphy. The gang force Fischer in his sub-concious state to confront his difficult relationship with his father. Their theory is that a created thought, or 'inception' will force him to disinherit his company. As they burrow more deeply into his sub-concious it becomes clear that this is no ordinary task.

Cobb is made to confront his own demons, namely in the shape of his wife Mal, who haunts his every thought. His ability to do his job is hamstrung by his inability to let go of her and it quickly becomes clear that this may cost him his life. This secret has only been revealed to Ariadne, a student who joins them to work at creating Fischer's thought.

Mal is played with shocking clarity by Marion Cotillard, who portrays someone who indulges her own anger to the detriment of any other emotion. The film reveals precisely why it is justified but never loses the sense that she always had that element within her. At certain points, Cobb and Mal dominate the film to such an extent that it does slow down but that is only for a brief moment in the second act.

There is no question that taken as a whole, Inception makes a strong impression. In fact, it does to such an extent that it would be difficult to find many that rank alongside it. Nolan would be doing well to better it but given past form, no one could put it past him.