A D Jameson Talks about Movies #1 — The opening scenes of "Inception"

This is a criticism of the opening scenes of Inception. It's related to four articles I wrote:
http://bigother.com/2010/08/08/sevent...
http://bigother.com/2010/08/20/art-as...
http://bigother.com/2010/08/26/scott-...
http://bigother.com/2010/10/04/more-o...

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  Education

[Nathan Lawrence]

You seem to be skirting around a larger, more important thing about these first few shots: we never get a true Establishing Shot. Opening a film this way, a trick Kubrick (someone whom you yourself mentioned) was fond of, gives the viewer a sense of intrigue and curiosity. What is going on?

It also mirrors the greater structure of the film, always moving outwards and giving us a grander view of the situation as a whole, keeping key information from us as long as possible.

[A D Jameson]

I do like the lack of establishing shots throughout the film, and think that's one of the better aspects of the film.

[Nathan Lawrence]

You have fair complaints about Inception, but I don't think your blanket statements about Nolan really have merit. Nolan is in fact a great filmmaker, as his early independent work proves. Those works transcend their initial gimmicks to interrogate the issue of lies on a personal level, as I (personally) believe Inception does.

[A D Jameson]

I wish I liked his other work as much as you do! But, truth be told, I keep seeing the same issues throughout all his films. He has a lot of ingrained habits he keeps falling back on, and I think it really weakens his work. But thanks for your comment!

[NosajDurmit]

Inception was completely forgettable, keep making these vids man.

[A D Jameson]

Thanks!

[AliminiumHydroxide]

Really enjoyed this. Please make more.

[LomDodge]

If you look hard enough for something you're going to find it. I could say that some opening establishing shots in 'classic films' tell the audience too much about the scene and don't allow the audience to work out what's happening for themselves. Maybe the whole reason the shot of the waves is used is because it isn't memorable the first time round, but when you see them again at the end of the film you realise where you are and your perception of the scene is completely different from before.

[KajiCarson]

Although I think I like Nolan a bit more than you, this was still a really insightful analysis that made me become critical of these scenes. Inception was a film I for some reason had serious problems digesting when seeing, and I think you nailed a key aspect of that here, with its overreliance on mundane shot compositioning. Thank you for sharing!

[Daniel Blanco]

As they say in the movie "You never remember the beginning of a dream". So, it makes sense not to use establishing shots IMHO

[A D Jameson]

Thank you! More is forthcoming...

[A D Jameson]

Thanks!

[A D Jameson]

I do think it's better if it lands on Cobb, though. But thanks for the comment!