‘Inception’ is the type of film that sticks with you long after you leave the cinema. Not only does it have great special effects but it also boasts a strong cast and a fantastic script.

The film adaptation of the video game of the same name is a cerebral experience that will keep you pondering for days. Going into the film not knowing how it would turn out was both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

The latest film from the mind of director Christopher Nolan is not your usual summer blockbuster. Instead of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on flashy explosions and elaborate fight scenes, ‘Inception’ opts for a more cerebral experience.

The plot of ‘Inception’ is pretty simple. The concept behind it is that everyone is having a dream within a dream. With so much going on in the movie, it is essential that the reader/viewer be mindful not to overwhelm themselves. Still, as intriguing as the plot may be, it is the special effects that will keep you pondering over it long after the credits have rolled.

If you’ve never played the video game upon which this film is based, here’s a short tutorial on how it works. In the game, you are put in the role of an architect who has to break into other people’s dreams and either help them or cause them harm. The further you get in the game, the more complex the puzzles become. If you want to find the answers, you have to think outside of the box and use your ingenuity.

There’s a good reason why this type of movie rarely gets good reviews. It’s not that the film is bad, it’s that the reviewers haven’t been able to process all that is going on in it. The following is a breakdown of everything that you need to know in order to have a full understanding of ‘Inception’…

The Special Effects Are Staggering

The year is 2010 and it seems like the effects industry had its best year yet. From practical effects to creature features, Hollywood had quite the array of special effects in the final product. The secret to great special effects is in the planning stages, where the filmmakers work with an effects supervisor to ensure that every aspect of the special effects is just right.

Not only do the effects look great; they also function great. One of the biggest concerns that we, as movie critics, had going into ‘Inception’ was whether or not the special effects would live up to our lofty expectations. We needn’t have worried. The effects in the film are extraordinary and it is a testament to the talent behind them.

The Cinematography Is Breathtaking

The cinematography in ‘Inception’ is another area where Nolan has excelled himself. The film looks as good as it possibly can and it is clear that he has poured every ounce of artistry that he has into the shots. The lighting, the angles, and the way that the images are framed all serve to create a very cinematic experience.

Lighting alone can make or break a scene. In order to achieve the best possible results when lighting a scene, cinematographers must consider their options, the environment, the time of day, and the emotional state of their subjects. Inception is packed with scenes where the lighting is fantastic and it is clear that Nolan knows just how to use light to convey the intensity of his characters’ emotions. Cinematography and editing go hand-in-hand, so it is essential that the editor works closely with the director to ensure that all the necessary shots are made and that nothing is left out.

Avengers Assemble

It seems as though Avengers: Age of Ultron was not the only Marvel Studios production to cause waves last year. Christopher Nolan’s latest film ‘Inception’ was also well-received and it seemed as though the director had chosen his side in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since its release, there have been numerous reports of people who’ve had dreams about the film and how it affected them. It would appear as though ‘Inception’ has become something of a sleeper hit, achieving the remarkable feat of opening just a single movie theater in Canada to sold-out showings.

While we await the forthcoming Marvel Studios film, Black Panther, we can enjoy this small slice of cinematic cake. After years of droning on about how great Nolan’s ‘Batman’ films are, it is great to see him continue to prove his worth as a director of not one but two successful films in a row. This is perhaps the best thing that could have happened to cinema. Still, one can only wonder what the future holds for Nolan as he continues his remarkable directorial career.