Review: Looper (2012)

Willis and Gordon-Levitt are both Joe.

Directed by Rian Johnson 
Produced by Ram Bergman and James D. Stern 
Written by Rian Johnson 
Starring Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, Noah Segan, Piper Perabo, and Jeff Daniels


***

"Close the loop, Joe." That's all he has to do, but that, of course, goes wrong. It is 2044, and the future holds the discovery of time travel. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Joe, a looper, meaning he kills people from the future as soon as they appear in the past. When he must kill his future self (Willis), he fails to "close the loop", which is an insurance policy for his bosses that comes with being a looper. So, the younger Joe must chase down his older self, while his older self is bent on eliminating a child who will grow up to be "The Rainmaker" and bring about the destruction of their world as they know it. This chase leads the younger Joe to a farm where a woman's (Blunt) child is one of the potential targets for the older Joe. With the child's life at stake, the younger Joe must stay and prepare for the onslaught coming from his bosses and the older Joe.

This film will, no doubt, be a delight for hardcore science fiction fans. For movie fans, it is also a worthwhile trip to the cinema. Rian Johnson follows Brick and The Brothers Bloom with another unique film that will leave some viewers enchanted and others passive. The screenplay does a tremendous job of "closing the loop", making sure that the essential details are explained and that the intricacies of this plot and world are addressed and fully developed. Though, the film eventually settles down. It is quiet in moments, reflective in others, and, unfortunately, even flat in some parts. Gordon-Levitt and Willis do a terrific job portraying a young man with selfish motivations and an older man with the world and his past deeds weighing heavily on his shoulders. They depict Joe's changes perfectly, and Dano and Daniels also do well in the small roles they're given. The film feels like a mixed bag, but comes through with an interesting story and an intriguing construction. Again, it's a unique film, which is wonderful. It does struggle to find a balance for all of the parts contained though. While it's a solid, different kind of movie, it does have some missteps that keep it from sheer greatness.

Oscar Potential: Best Original Screenplay, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, Best Visual Effects