“What’s the most resilient parasite? An Idea. A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules.” (dialogue spoken by the character Dom Cobb in the 2010 film “Inception” . . . written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan)

The first time I saw a preview for the movie “Inception”, the screen lit up with tumbling buildings, floating men, cities turning upside down, and clips of inexplicable action . . . all paired with a dramatic sequence of heart-fluttering sound effects.

At first, I felt as if my brain had received an electric shock.This initial teaser-trailer contained absolutely no dialogue. It left everyone in the theater whispering: “What the *#@! is that movie about?”

Something about that particular preview experience planted a surprising “seed” of anticipation within me. That little seed thrived throughout the summer. When it sprouted, I could hear it whisper, “I have to see that movie.”

I didn’t have a clue about the plot. It didn’t matter. The power of those initial images left me with another nagging thought: Whatever this movie is about, it’s gonna be great!
I guess you could say: It was pure Inception.

“Inception’s” main character (Cobb) is played by Leonardo DiCaprio. At a pivotal point in film, he explains the idea of “Inception” to Ariadne (acted by Ellen Page):
“You create the world of the dream. We bring the subject into that dream and fill it with their sub-conscious.”

“Then, you break in and steal it?” Ariadne asks.

Cobb affirms the notion with the words: “Well, it’s not exactly legal. It’s called Inception.”

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According to the film’s narrative, this process of “stealing” dreams is actually called “extraction”. (The act of inception involves planting an idea into someone’s subconscious during a dream without them knowing; this causes the unwitting soul to believe that the idea was actually self-generated.)

In short, Inception involves planting a “seed of thought” within someone, then leaving it there to grow—which is what the film’s teaser-trailer did to me!

What is it that makes “Inception” so unique? Also: What is it about this innovative movie that pulls crowds into theaters like a Siamese Algae Eater?

I’ll try to keep my answer as spoiler-free as possible. (BTW, I’ve seen “Inception” three times and each time was a completely different experience.)

The first time I saw “Inception”, I could literally feel the “geared-wheels” in my head turning and churning (and sometimes squeaking) with every new idea, concept, and/or plot point. I worked hard to keep up with this “dream world” before me.

At first, it felt like the movie was “dissecting” my brain—then, as the movie progressed, new curiosities emerged . . . and possible answers were suggested. Over time, I relaxed into Nolan’s extraordinary world of make-believe.

The second time I watched “Inception”, my mind sparked anew with abrupt epiphanies . . . enlightening moments of understanding—entirely new perspectives that shined light upon those original ideas like a giant, grand color wheel—turning and churning yet again.

During my last journey into the abstract world of Inception, I grappled with a profound realization: this movie operates with a kind of cosmic layering— a thousand different levels of consciousness.

People often say that you know a film is great when you feel as if you’re experiencing the story along with the characters. But this time, it was more than a feeling. I felt as though I was actually experiencing “the dream” along with Ariadne! Together, we explored Nolan’s hall of mirrors—the intertwined levels of reality.

“Dreams,” Dom Cobb explains, “allow us to create and perceive simultaneously. ‘Inception’ allows us to get right in the middle of that process.” Yeah . . . and that’s where the film keeps its viewers the entire time. The movie is one giant act of INCEPTION!

Another thing that makes the movie so compelling is that everyone dreams (you, me EVERYBODY). For that reason, every movie-goer (without exception) can connect to the film in some significant way.

An excerpt from “Inception’s” official website states it concisely: “Nolan asserts that the central theme of the story is both personal and universal because we all dream. We all experience the phenomenon of our minds creating a world and living in that world at the exact same time. There is also an incredible contrast in the world of dreams—they are so intimate and yet they have infinite possibilities in terms of what we can imagine.”

The experience of the average movie-goer (while delving into the world of “Inception” in real time) is a timeless testament to the amazing, creative power of the human mind. At times, I sat in stunned disbelief, awed by Christopher Nolan’s genius and imagination.

The character of Ariadne is often surprised that creating the dream is more about a person’s emotional feelings than it is about the visual image.

“Inception” also draws audiences in with its amazing special effects. The film’s cutting-edge CI technology certainly keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. However, it’s the “feel” of the movie that really makes it snap, crackle and pop.

Many of us have had the experience of watching a dream (a life-wish or desire) fall apart, whether it be a dream of creativity, career, or love . . . any number of dream variations regarding what we hope the future might hold.

While I watched “Inception”, I experienced a profound emotional reaction when the character (Arthur) screamed, “the dream is collapsing!” I shared Arthur’s desperation; in fact, I felt that familiar, spidery-sickness in the pit of my stomach. I too (desperately) wanted the DREAM to hold together.

Backed by an amazing cast, the film is also enhanced by an original score by Hans Zimmer (The Dark Knight), a brilliant musical backdrop that drives the adrenaline-pumping action forward.

“Inception” is a summer movie that you simply shouldn’t miss! And, it’s also that special sort of film that should first be enjoyed via a big screen in a real theater.

To summarize: “Inception” is a fresh (and truly unique) story riddled with layer upon layer of character-driven conflicts and contradictions, taking the “hero’s journey” to the next level.

In retrospect, I think it’s been years since I left a theater consumed with such genuine emotion and inspiration. Emotion and Inspiration: these are the elemental threads that weave our dreams according to Cobb.

“Inception” takes its time to develop the story and its characters. Block by block, the complexity (and the tension) mounts. It demands the audience’s intense attention. To put it mildly, it is not a simple, no-brainer movie.

And that makes sense . . .  I ask you: What (if anything) is simple about the world of dreams? Our dreams are the manifestations of the most mysterious aspect of our minds— the “raw, infinite subconscious.”

The cleverly woven intricacies of “Inception” make it an exciting “treat” for its viewers. Unlike other modern-day films, it really makes us think.

And, this amazing work of art leaves us with a very simple (yet profound) truth:
We must never be too afraid to dream a little bigger.

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“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Harriet Tubman

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[NICOLE MILLAR is a contributing writer for Dance of the Spirit. Nicole obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Creative writing from the University of Central Florida in 2010. She worked as the production manager and as a fiction editor for the university's Cypress Dome Literary Journal and has taken a year off to pursue various internships and writing opportunities before returning to school for her Master's Degree. Nicole believes that the most important thing to remember, and the easiest thing to forget, is that we must always live for our own dreams and never let the disbelief of others overpower the magic that we are capable of.]