Inception

(Warning: Spoilers ahead)

Finally, a film that is a worthy successor to Matrix. I remember coming out of the theatres after watching Matrix, years ago, and thinking about it for weeks afterwards. "Inception" doesn't quite have that effect on me, but it is admittedly a movie in the same vein - you walk out of the show not quite sure what happened... and want to find someone else to discuss your theories.

I'm sure months later, when the whole world has seen the movie, there'll be people discussing many parts of the show. Questions like these will be common:

• Did he really wake up? Was the last scene a dream?
• Was his wife delirious? Or did she realise what was happening and "awaken", whilst he was still in his own dream?
• How did his dad magically appear to pick him up? How did he even know his son would be coming home?

I'm not going to talk about those questions. Just wanted to share my own thoughts about some more philosophical (metaphysical) questions that the show poses.

1. Is reality what we think it is?
   Like Matrix, this show explores an "alternate reality", albeit through a more easily grasped dream concept. Dreams is a commonly used metaphor in many oriental religions. And the "Awakening" or "Enlightenment" state is one that is attained after one has seen through the reality of one's existence. So, are you awake? Or dreaming?
   
   
2. Are we dreaming? Or are we even part of someone's dream?
   Not sure whether Nolan is familiar with Hinduism. In that religion, one of the theories for creation says that the world was created as part of Lord Brahma's dream, and we are all just characters in his dream. Seems familiar?

In my opinion, these are the deeper questions that the film's creator would have wanted us to ask ourselves. Of course, you are free to disagree. :)