Today's review is Looper.
Written & Directed by Rian Johnson
Review #180
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence, language, some sexuality/nudity and drug content.
Run Time: 118 min
Cast
Joseph Gordon-Levitt ...Joe
Bruce Willis ...Old Joe
Emily Blunt ...Sara
Paul Dano ...Seth
Noah Segan ...Kid Blue
Piper Perabo ...Suzie
Jeff Daniels ...Abe
Pierce Gagnon ...Cid
Time travel movies have always been an interesting breed in the sci fi world. It's also a delicate medium to tackle. Thinking back there are 3 films in my opinion that truly respected the genre while maintaining discipline with the "rules" of time travel. The first two are obvious no brainers. The third might come as a surprise.
The Terminator
Back To The Future
Timecop
Keep this in mind. I'm not mentioning Timecop with those other 2 stellar films as part of a holy trilogy if you will. I'm pointing out that despite it's lackluster effort. Van Damme's film was very mindful and respectful of the principles of time travel. It was the concept, not the execution that earns Timecop's right to be on the list. I'm sure there are many more that I haven't mentioned and for that I apologize. Looper manages to both respect time travel while taking liberties. Unlike other films that have done the same thing.
It worked here.
Plot
In 2072, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent 30 years into the past, where a hired gun awaits. Someone like Joe, who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by transporting back Joe's future self.
Going in, this film it appeared very original and at it's heart it is. But further into the story you can clearly see some references/homages to some previous time travel films. I won't say which ones but here's a hint. One or more were just mentioned. There is a whole lot to like here. The story does a good job balancing both old and young Joe. The beginning is told to us through voice over exposition by young Joe. Then when old Joe hits the scene the film does a very cute job of showing us his life from the "other" side. It explains a ton of questions that come up before the two Joe's meet up.
It was these little touches that give Looper it's creativity and originality. Another scene comes to mind is when a looper's older self is being dispatched through the torture of the younger version. The things that happen to him are creepy and at times tough to watch but very very creative and ingenious. Think the fading picture from Back to the Future only much more intense. Another nice scene was the conversation between old and young Joe in the diner. Their meeting sets up what is going to happen the rest of the time. The rest of the film is pretty much a color by numbers chase film with a twist or two mixed in.
Looper gives you a chance to breathe after some rather bland action beats so the rest of the plot can play out. This is where the secondary characters come in. Emily Blunt (my new goddess) and her son Cid lay out the final 2 acts of the film setting up the final clash. Johnson tries his best to hide the obvious but if you're awake, you know exactly who the kid is and how important he is to the story. This seems to be an issue with a lot of sci fi films. When kids are in them they do one of two things.
1) They either distract you from the story/annoy the hell out of you.
2) They play a pivotal role in the narrative that is transparent to the blind.
Cid follows one of these blueprints but it's not as bad as I may make it seem. He's a really cute kid that made me feel for him. Then later on he becomes really creepy. It makes complete sense to the story but seeing him "hulk" out when he does was a bit unsettling at times. The final act plays out exactly as you would expect it to.
Predictable yet plausible and satisfying.
Overall, Looper isn't going to make the list of greatest sci fi films of all time. It does however deserve a ton of credit for trying to be different while still being the same and still be entertaining. It's not an easy thing to pull off. It's a lot easier to get wrong and Johnson did just enough to be right.
On the 5 star scale. Looper gets 3 stars with a split "Give it a shot/Netflix it" recomendation.
That's a wrap for today. Up next is Taken 2.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
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