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The concept of Christopher Nolan's "Inception" appears confusing, and it is. The "Dark Knight" director whips out the narrative tricks he used in early films like "Following" and "Memento." His brand of non-linear storytelling, Hans Zimmer's eerie score and a cast of mysterious noir characters are the glue that holds the story together. Although the film threatens to crumble several times, it never does. This is the movie Nolan was born to make — a script full of surprises with a big studio budget to bring his brilliant vision to life.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Cobb, a thief trained in the art of stealing ideas from people as they sleep. The process, called extraction, involves hooking himself and the victim up to a machine that allows shared dreaming. Another team member, called the architect, creates the dream world using mazes and the victim's subconscious.

Cobb wants to escape the life, but one final job offers the chance for him to return home to his children. A powerful Japanese businessman (Ken Watanabe, "The Last Samurai") can clear him of a crime he didn't commit. The catch? Cobb must implant an idea rather than take one. Watanabe's character wishes to convince an heir to an energy company (Cillian Murphy, "Batman Begins") to break up his dying father's empire. To complete the inception, Cobb rounds up Eames (Tom Hardy, "Bronson"), Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, "500 Days of Summer") and the young architect Ariadne (Ellen Page, "Juno").

For an emotional punch (and an extra hurdle), Nolan creates a backstory involving Cobb's wife (Marion Cotillard, "Nine"), who died mysteriously. She still haunts his dreams, which is why Ariadne must create the landscapes, or levels. If Cobb knows the world, then his wife will, too, and she will sabotage the mission.

The world Nolan creates is so absorbing that all the cumbersome layers make sense. Halfway in, it's easy to forget you're watching a movie. Once all the tricks of the trade are laid out, the audience become members of the team. The dream within a dream within a dream gives the director license to create fantastic scenery. The best is a snowy level with henchman skiing down a mountain, machine guns slung across their bodies.

With such a complex mythology and mind-blowing effects, "Inception" may acquire a "Matrix"-like cult following. It would be well deserved. Throughout the film, details offer clues as to how extraction and inception are possible. Nolan also weaves in scientific explanations fluidly through casual conversation. Most of all, the movie is primed to inspire countless dorm room discussions about the philosophy of dreams, the secrets we bury inside and the ethical consequences of dream invasion. Still, Nolan doesn't bog the story down with geeky details. We don't know how the dream machine works or the physics behind translating levels into tactile environments.

DiCaprio should be given credit for taking the Johnny Depp route of choosing interesting films over blockbusters that boost his dreamboat status. "Inception" is the perfect vehicle for him to brood and grit his teeth — a show we've all seen before. It makes one wonder how much longer he can find parts that allow him to hold his head with both hands while tears well up in his eyes.

The only cast member who doesn't pull his weight is Tom Berenger. The "Platoon" Oscar winner plays the heir's godfather, and appears to be reading his lines off a cue card like an unprepared "Saturday Night Live" host. It's a strange turn for an actor once considered an archetypal rugged leading man.

What's refreshing, beyond the originality, is that Cobb works illegally for greedy corporate executives, not a secret government. It's just one more reason to see this film. "Inception" is long, difficult and frustrating. It's also the best movie of the summer so far.

Inception

PG-13; Action/Sci-Fi; 148 minutes

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine