The most anticipated film of the summer, Inception has recently screened in a few different venues. Most notably Cinema Expo in Amsterdam. Peter Travers from Rolling Stones also saw the film and someone was able to find an excerpt of his review from July’s Rolling Stone issue (via Nolan Fans). Check that out below and then the rest. Collider has also provided us with brand new photos and posters from the film. I mixed in some of my favorites below, but check the rest over at their site.
3.5/4 stars:
The mind-blowing movie event of the summer arrives just in time to hold back the flow of Hollywood sputum that’s been sliming the multiplex. ‘Inception’…will be called many things, starting with James Bond Meets ‘The Matrix.’ You can feel the vibe of Ridley Scott’s ‘Blade Runner’ in it, and Nolan’s own ‘Memento’ and ‘The Dark Knight.’ But ‘Inception’ glows with a blue-flame intensity all its own. Nolan creates a dream world that he wants us to fill with our own secrets. I can’t think of a better goal for any filmmaker. Of course, trusting the intelligence of the audience can cost Nolan at the box office. We’re so used to being treated like idiots. How to cope with a grand-scale epic, shot in six countries at a reported cost of $160 million, that turns your head around six ways from Sunday? Dive in and drive yourself crazy, that’s how.
I’ll say no more, except that Inception rewards the attention it demands…In this wildly ingenious chess game, grandmaster Nolan plants ideas in our heads that disturb and dazzle. The result is a knockout. But be warned: Inception dreams big. How cool is that?
@anamariabahiana (translated):
I am literally out of film.
WOW!
Or as Keanu would say: wow!
Wow.
To repeat: WOW!
jaw dropped. many people scratching their heads, normal.
Ok, film will take a while to process. It’s not the second coming but there’s a lot of awesome to chew on.
Cine Expo impressions:
We saw #Inception this morning. Will tweet no details. #promise #priviledge
Saw Inception this morning but unfortunately I can’t tweet about it! #fb #cinemaexpo
Just attended world’s 1st #Inception screening. Not allowed to say anything on it but to quote #Nolan: a 4-dimensional Bond movie. #cineexpo
Attendees are banned from talking to the press about their reaction to the film, but the applause after the screening was very hearty and ScreenDaily overheard quite a few “brilliant” comments. Cine Expo has proven to be a good launch pad for Nolan before, as The Dark Knight was screened here two years ago.
When I was in LA two weeks ago, we talked about Inception a lot. And the buzz is crazy. So much so that they’re trying to contain it, typical Christopher Nolan style. From what I hear, it’s sick amazing twisted and unforgettable. I spoke to two people who’d seen it, both cynical f-cks, and both were speechless with admiration.
Inception: terrific, textured, mind-bending entertainment. There were moments I had to remind myself to breathe!
Inception has screened in Amsterdam. Source: “It is, hands-down, the best thing Nolan has ever done…”
In short, my source was really, really blown away by it.
Russian journalist (translated):
The first 10-15 minutes are hard to understand and the music is… mmm*… but gradually you become more and more interested in the development of the plot.
There are a lot of action scenes, shooting and so on. Not too much of transcendental stuff, the main idea is basically clear. There is some special terminology in the dialogues, which, at the beginning, is hard to crack without knowing the subject of the conversation.
It is closer to The Matrix than to The Dark Knight.
It is hard to predict the box-office perspectives of the movie. The audience can be quite strange. But ‘Inception’ is not just for an average mind**, so to speak, although even such movie-goers might fancy the film. If one puts aside the idea of the movie and watches mere action, the film is still very interesting to watch, at least, to my taste.
ohmygodijustsawthebestmovieeverandican’ttalkaboutititmakesmewanttopunchkitt ensinthebestwaypossiblestupidadorablekittens!!!!!
I just got back from #INCEPTION! Whoaa. Complex & intense!
Inception is incredible. Complicated but full of imagination and very clever. 20 mins too long but otherwise pretty perfect
Saw a screening of INCEPTION last night. Very creative premise. Action packed. Brain teasing. You should probably see it when its out!
Mark my words, “Inception” is going to be the movie of the forever.
I’ve officially heard from trusted sources that INCEPTION is great. That is all.
@rejects me too, heard there was a screening here in NYC that a reader got into.
I think INCEPTION and TOY STORY 3 will def be nominated. Joe Levitt might get a Best Supporting Actor nom — he damn near steals the show.
Saw an advanced screening of Inception over the weekend. It will be THE movie of the summer. A SMART and well executed blockbuster.
Inception was fantastic.
Insider info: My sources are letting me know that Inception is fucking awesome. 2h40m, but totally engaging. “I had to pee during the second reel, not only did the wait not seem long, it was engaging enough that I didn’t consider leaving.”
@evliu (pic above)
inception was really really good! Moreso if u like to think, like me. Amazing!
Inception was mind blowingly brilliant. Tied with Toy Story 3 for best movie this year so far. So intense and emotional and powerful!!
You have caught glimpses of the remarkable zero G fight in Inception’s trailers and ads, but nothing you’ve seen has fully prepared you for the full breadth of that scene. On its own the fight would be one of the most stunning cinematic action scenes in memory, but in context – as part of an extended, reality-spanning, cross-cutting sequence – it’s breathtaking.
Oh hell yeah. Just got back from the screening. Amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing. And even more amazing. Superlative in every way.
Minimal exposition, top quality action sequences, almost non-stop! A masterpiece.
One of the best movies of this DECADE.
He doesn’t like TDK so much, but he thinks this is Nolan’s best movie after ”Memento” in terms of EMOTIONS and characters. Ending is, quote: ”f***ing GREAT”.
I was treated to a sneak peak and all I have to say is this. If any critic says this is a bad movie , never read or support him in anyway. This film is great in everyway.
The best way I can put it is, imagine if THE MATRIX raped THE FOUNTAIN. But, in a good way. [source]
Every colleague of mine who went to the press screenings and junkets, love it. But because of the embargo, nobody can say anything. But more than one said something interesting: it will be a sucess, but they doubt if will be a huge, smash hit. First, because it’s not for all ages, and second there is a lot of no mainstream elements. One said a cool thing: “Inception” looks like Alain Resnais style of the 60′s remaking Godard’s “Alphaville” (1965) + mixed with a plot from “The Twilight Zone” + action sequences.
Check out the rest of the gallery in hi-res over at Collider. I just got confirmed for a Monday, July 12th screening and can’t wait to see it.
Inception hits IMAX theaters July 16th.
What are your favorite photos? Excited by the impressions?