Something about.. Inception

Also known as the most overhyped film of all time. Don't get me wrong, it was good. But it certainly wasn't the best film of the year, let alone of all time.

I have much respect and high regard for the IMDB top 250. The list is full of incredible not-to-be-missed films, with The Shawshank Redemption in at top spot, and films such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Schindler's List in the top ten. But the placing of Inception at number 6 within barely weeks of it hitting British screens came close to discrediting the entire brand for me.

I don't deny it isn't a good film, it is. It's very good. Leonardo DiCaprio once again does himself justice and the idea of dream invasion is interesting.

But the execution is poor. And the film becomes tedious barely half way through the epic two-and-a-half hour running time.

On paper the film looks a sure success. Christopher Nolan penned the script and takes up the directors chair with a wealth of knowledge, experience and awards under his belt. He has a more than impressive resume, including huge cinema hits such as Dark Knight, as well as intelligent and thrilling cult films like Memento (which remains one of my all time favourites).

And the cast list is flawless. Leo in the lead role, supported by Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy, Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. It is certainly far from a recipe for disaster.

But it feels as if everything was going smoothly until it came to actually making the film, and then all of a sudden it all imploded.

I just remain baffled by how - and more importantly, why - so many people are blown away by this film.

My main criticisms concern the length, the complexity of the storyline and the special effects.

The film is drawn out, fussy and tedious. Had they have condensed the plot and the filming - perhaps removed one layer of 'inception' - making it a tidy two hours, or less, it would have been much more enjoyable and less exhausting. It was just too much effort.

There is a fine line between a challenging and intelligent film, and one which goes too far into obscurity. Films like Fight Club have managed to achieve the right balance. Although it is complicated and in-depth, it makes sense and focuses on one layer of complexity. But with Inception, there are far too many layers.

And as for the special effects, there's only one way to explain it: OTT.

As for the acting. Leo was his usual, dreamy self and gave another strong performance. Although I think it was inferior to his other 2010 starring role in Scorsese's Shutter Island.

Marion Cotillard gave that extra dimension to the storyline, and she gave a sound performance as a haunting and seductive lover.

And Ellen Page dazzled in an unusual role. The young comedy actress has given relatively tongue-in-cheek performances in off-the-wall films such as Juno. But she shone in Inception.

However, the less said about Michael Caine the better. He didn't stumble far from his reputation as a bumbling, corny actor.

On a positive note I still find the overall idea of dream invasion and inception it self very intriguing.

The cast gelled well in the film and - on the most part - performed well.

Inception is a prime examples of working in theory, but not in practice.