Every now and then our generation is blessed with a must see movie, a movie that captivates you and not only challenges our intellect but provides a thrilling experience to go along with it. Some say Inception is cinematically perfect, a flawless piece of art, one that is so masterfully layered with complexity that it could change Hollywood forever. If that is the popular perception of the movie, then why is it that so many people hate Inception?
It’s sad to say but, Inception’s own success is the main reason why people hate the film. Before the film’s release, most people didn’t even know about Inception or cared too much to see it. Then as movie reviews started reeling in and word of mouth spread that Inception might be one the best films of the decade, people hopped on the bandwagon. Which of course was great for Inception in terms of revenue (3 straight weeks at #1), but detrimental in terms of viewer expectation. Inception’s own hype quickly turned the film into a “love it or hate it” type of movie.
The divide was between those who either loved the film for its viscerally mind bending plot and insightful look into the world of dreams or those who hated it because of its confusing and overly complex storyline. Some say that the film’s attention to detail and its narrative brought a new light into Hollywood. Others say the film was too long winded and the series of cuts and jumps in between locations was not brilliant, but simply just bad editing.
There are movie goers that go into a film with an open mind and enjoy the film for what it is. Then there are those who build up such a high expectation that they are bound to be disappointed. Maybe the hype of Inception being one of the best films of all time was a bit too much, but it still shouldn’t take away from the movie being one of the most original mind blowing films to have come out in recent history. With every great movie, especially with Christopher Nolan films of late (I don’t know why), there will always be haters and critics who despise the movie just to go against the grain. But whether or not people love or hate Inception, people are still seeing the movie. Discussions of the film are still alive and well all across the country. Facebook statuses and twitter updates are littered with praise for Inception. So as much as people want to hate Inception, whether they’re hating it just to hate it or they truly don’t like the film, all this is doing is drawing more attention towards the movie and as long as discussion of the film continue, revenue will continue to reel in and maybe one day, when the hype finally dies down, people can finally see the film for what it is.
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Inception is definitely a movie you have too see twice, ,halfway through I definitely said I gotta see this again.
Good article, and I think it hits at the heart of why many people dislike the movie so much. I was lucky to see it on the night it came out on a whim, having not even heard of it before, so I had no expectations and was blown away.
It’s a good thing that the world is so black and white that it can be divided into ‘open minded people’ and ‘haters and critics who despise a film just to go against the grain’, otherwise you might have to use your brain. And if you had to use your brain, maybe you wouldn’t be so impressed by Inception. Just a theory.
30 percent dropoffs at the box office every weekend is nearly unheard these days. Hell, it has almost 1,200,000 “likes” on the Facebook social network already. I’m not seeing the “hate.”
I honestly don’t understand why people are so preoccupied with the ‘bandwagon’ route. If you think hard enough about any film that has come out within the past few years, however hyped they may be, the fact remains that people will always have an opinion. Even if NOBODY liked this movie, at least it got a shot… Nolan, in my personal opinion, has been blessed with a very rare gift in his craft. He is not only a brilliant writer, but a brilliant director. If you were to use the ‘hype bandwagon’ argument against the panoply of other movies of late, you’d see the same pattern in any genre.
With Avatar for example, people thought that it was TOO mother earthy, too tree-hugger, and too overdramatic. For Christ’s sake, even the Pope was denouncing it as too mystical.
I, as ‘bandwagon’ as this may seem, have to agree with the perfection. It not only delivers a visceral storyline, but the setting, the characters, and the full gamut of emotions that the actors and the environments/locales instill in the viewer are positively BREATHTAKING! I left the theater, quite literally stunned. It took me 20 minutes before I felt sobered enough to start the car and drive home. I’ve NEVER exited a theater with that sense of awe and incredulity EVER in my life.
Simply put; as I appear to be rambling a bit; this masterpiece means something to its viewers. It rocked every emotion I have ever experienced to the point that by the time the credits were rolling, I was speechless. It is refreshingly original, and deserves the credit that it is due.
It’s because the movie is so complex and layered, and makes you think – that’s why people hate it. Instead of all the mindless crap and remakes and re-boots of movies that aren’t even 20 years old, this movie challenges you to pay attention. Society as a whole is lazy and mindless when it comes to entertainment, and that is a damn shame. Christopher Nolan is a genius when it comes to putting a movie together, and that better not end anytime soon.
JRM: Inception’s vast popularity and following does not take away from the fact that there are people that hate the film. In no way am I saying that most people or even a large group of people hate the film. This article was to simply point out the particular group that does hate the movie and to shed light on why they might hate it.
John: It will be a travesty if Inception does not win best movie this year. Christopher Nolan was robbed a couple years ago with TDK not even being nominated. I can not see how the academy award can snub Nolan again.
I could NOT agree more. I know I sound like a mook for drooling over Nolan’s cinematic genius, but in this case: SO DESERVING!!!! I meant quite literally that no film has ever left me so astounded and dazed. All of Nolan’s films have done that to a T of late. TDK, I have no idea what the academy was thinking by snubbing it… I love the way he squeezes every last bit of talent and emotion from each actor in the cast… sheer, utter genius. Adjectives fail me.
I’ve always been a fan of Christopher Nolan’s work. He always makes movies that challenges the intellect. In an era where movies are about explosives and 3D effects, here we have a director that challenges the audience to think. Nolan’s ability to appeal to not only the mainstream crowd but also the more complex audience makes him one of the best directors of our generation.