FROM the director of Dark Knight comes the eagerly anticipated, brain-swirling genre-mixing movie Inception.
In a world where entering dreams to steal secrets is a reality, professional thought-thief Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) are highly skilled at the art of 'extraction'.
But when they are forced by a high-powered businessman to implant a thought in a competitor's brain rather than steal one - known as 'inception' - the risks of losing their sense of reality become dangerously high.
With no other choice than to undertake the mission, can they survive a perilous journey into the mind and return unscathed?
Unique
Noir mystery, action-adventure, psychoanalytical art-house feature, heist movie in reverse - Inception charges through the walls of disparate genres, spins them on their heads, and ties them together to make a truly unique and captivating film.
Shrouded in secrecy during the months of production as filming took place at a host of international locations, the result is as jaw-dropping as audiences hoped it would be.
By delving into the world of the mind, the possibilities are limitless, which gives Nolan a chance to flex his creative muscles and offer a more elaborate visual flair than he could with a narrative firmly grounded in reality.
As Cobb attempts to manipulate the minds of others - while his own subconscious continually threatens to betray him - the result is like a James Bond caper in a Salvador Dali painting.
Complex
However, in usual Nolan style, the story is not simple and clear-cut.
Rather than merely entering a dream, the multi-stranded narrative sees members of Cobb's team entering dreams within dreams; all with different settings and where time moves at different speeds.
For another director less autonomous as Nolan, the story could be lost and fall apart. But his level of control from script to screen is obvious, and a firm grasp of every facet of the film - from Wally Pfister's beautifully framed cinematography to Hans Zimmer's atmospheric score - indicative of why the final film is so striking.
Accolade magnets
Where Inception really excels is in the casting. Nolan newbie DiCaprio is as on form as ever - bringing pathos and pain alongside believable action. But this is no one man show.
A stunning cast featuring Oscar winners and accolade magnets too long to list operate selflessly within the ensemble, each bringing their A-game while never trying to steal spotlight.
At nearly 150 minutes, prepare for a long-haul but don't let the length put you off.
Inception is undoubtedly a modern classic which challenges the audience with a fresh and original premise in both the subject matter and the way the story is told.
And with plenty of gripping tension and explosive action, you certainly won't be nodding off in your seat.
9/10 - Dreamy.