camera angles in movies

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review of a few camera angles in the movie Inception (2010) by director Christopher Nolan, Producers: Christopher Nolan + Emma Thomas

I chose to comment on seven camera angles utilized in the 2010 movie Inception. When I first watched this movie during quarantine, I was so captivated by the creative shots and effects that I watched it three times afterwards. Inception fits into many categories, mainly, thriller, science fiction, and heist. While this movie uses many camera angles that are complex and rarely executed, it also uses recognizable camera angles.

 

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over the shoulder shot

The second scene in the movie opens to an originally unknow character (Saito). A guard sets a gun to the right of the character on the table. The gun was taken off of the main character (Cobb) in the last shot, so to be given to Saito shows that he is the higher authority. The article, "Different Camera Angles Create Different Emotions" the author tells that over the shoulder shots make you feel like you're there with the characters. Sense Saito is the authority figure, you feel uneasy like how the guards probably would feel with an intruder showing up out of the blue.   

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close up shot

The character Cobb had a spinning top found on him. After discovering it, Saito spins it. The close up is almost like foreshadowing. The spinning top is a device Cobb uses to ensure that he's in reality and isn't dreaming. Saito spinning it is foreshadowing for future reasons I can't explain without spoiling the movie. "Different Camera Angles Create Different Emotions", informs that close ups help convey moods. The mood created here is uncertainty but intriguing. As the viewer, you want to why this little spinning top is getting attention.

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Cameo Shot

This shot follows a jump to the past. Cobb is explaining a concept to a younger Saito with his partner Arthur. This shot could serve as a juxtaposition to the present. In the present, Cobb is scarred and exhausted. Here, Cobb is dress nice and full of life. This shot is basic because the context of the scene is the interesting part.

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Full Shot

This scene is surprising because this is the first time we see Cobb and Arthur in full scale. It is also surprising because the viewer feels like Cobb is looking at you. The scene can make you feel uneasy. This is because in the previous scene, the two characters were talking about something the audience didn't have an understanding of, it felt like you were listening to a strangers conversation. The quick turn to Cobb staring at the camera makes you feel like you were caught snooping from a far.

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Dolly Shot

In this sequence Cobb is running from a form of police in a foreign country. This shot looks like it was made with a handheld camera. "Different Camera Angles Create Different Emotions" says handheld cameras make the viewer feel like they are also in the scene with the character. This makes the action more suspense full because you are hoping Cobb doesn't get caught. The viewers can feel like they might get in trouble too. The shot also lets us see how scared Cobb is and how confused the people around him is.

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Establishing Shot

This scene, from the final heist, shows how small the characters are compared to the environment. It also sets the scene. Seeing the landscape makes you feel cold as well. Also, with just snow covered mountains in view, you can see the stakes at hand. The terrain looks unforgiving and there's no help in sight, if thing went wrong on this mission. On the other hand, the birds eye view gives the viewer a feeling of safety because it almost separates you from the characters. From "Different Camera Angles Create Different Emotions", I learned that these type of shots usually are used to  signify the end of the movie or to set the scene. 

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Reaction Shot + Close Up

This shot is the second to last scene of the movie. Cobb is finally reunited with his children who were being taken care of by their grandfather. Earlier in the movie you learn that Cobb is doing the mission to get his record expunged so he can return home to his kids. This scene is heartwarming and after getting Cobb and his children's reaction so being reunited, they hug off screen. We get to see how pleased the grandfather is. You as the viewer also feels relieved and happy for them. After this shot, we get a zoom in on the spinning top. It spins and slightly falters before a cut to black. The director leaves us with this shot, to make up our own opinion on if Cobb is dreaming or in reality.