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Joseph Gordon-Levitt and writer/director Rian Johnson proved to be the perfect pair with 2005's BRICK. They're back together again in LOOPER, the story of a hitman who kills people sent back in time from the future. Joe's got a good life: drugs, babes, money. Of course, this lifestyle comes with a catch: one day, the person you're supposed to kill turns out to be your future self. This means you get to live out your remaining years (roughly 30) doing whatever you so desire. Of course, in Joe's case, things don't go according to plan; his future self escapes, on a mission to prevent the death of his wife, and now both Joes find themselves being pursued by ruthless killers.
LOOPER is stunning. Visually, it's a treat; the effects are impressive, the cinematography astounding. The action is slick and the dialogue is quick and intelligent, just what we'd expect from a Rian Johnson script. Perhaps the biggest surprise here (well, for non-Johnson fans, at least) is the caliber of acting. The supporting cast is impressive: Emily Blunt, Noah Segan, Garrett Dillahunt, and child actor Pierce Gagnon all shine, while Jeff Daniels and Paul Dano are especially memorable. Bruce Willis brings gravitas to the role of future Joe; he doesn't say much, but as with his best performances, he's able to convey quite a lot with his piercing gaze. Older Joe is a complex character, and Willis is able to play his single-minded obsession to commit atrocious deeds for sympathetic reasons.
But this is Gordon-Levitt's film. Sure, he has prosthetics to make him resemble Willis; but more to the point, much as Josh Brolin did a la Tommy Lee Jones for MEN IN BLACK 3, Gordon-Levitt has studied Willis's mannerisms and voice, coming off as a truly convincing younger version of the actor. And yet, the role isn't mere imitation; Gordon-Levitt proves why he's considered one of the best rising actors out there right now, bringing a haunting sense of pathos (not to mention cojones) to his role. Thanks to his performance, and Rian Johnson's script, LOOPER comes off as one of the most unique, memorable science fiction/action films in years. It'll go down as a cult classic, and maybe one day, simply a classic example of the genre.
I thought this movie was wonderful. I saw this in theaters before I bought it and have been waiting for it to come out.
BalasHapusJoseph Gordon-Levitt and writer/director Rian Johnson proved to be the perfect pair with 2005's BRICK. They're back together again in LOOPER, the story of a hitman who kills people sent back in time from the future. Joe's got a good life: drugs, babes, money. Of course, this lifestyle comes with a catch: one day, the person you're supposed to kill turns out to be your future self. This means you get to live out your remaining years (roughly 30) doing whatever you so desire. Of course, in Joe's case, things don't go according to plan; his future self escapes, on a mission to prevent the death of his wife, and now both Joes find themselves being pursued by ruthless killers.
BalasHapusLOOPER is stunning. Visually, it's a treat; the effects are impressive, the cinematography astounding. The action is slick and the dialogue is quick and intelligent, just what we'd expect from a Rian Johnson script. Perhaps the biggest surprise here (well, for non-Johnson fans, at least) is the caliber of acting. The supporting cast is impressive: Emily Blunt, Noah Segan, Garrett Dillahunt, and child actor Pierce Gagnon all shine, while Jeff Daniels and Paul Dano are especially memorable. Bruce Willis brings gravitas to the role of future Joe; he doesn't say much, but as with his best performances, he's able to convey quite a lot with his piercing gaze. Older Joe is a complex character, and Willis is able to play his single-minded obsession to commit atrocious deeds for sympathetic reasons.
But this is Gordon-Levitt's film. Sure, he has prosthetics to make him resemble Willis; but more to the point, much as Josh Brolin did a la Tommy Lee Jones for MEN IN BLACK 3, Gordon-Levitt has studied Willis's mannerisms and voice, coming off as a truly convincing younger version of the actor. And yet, the role isn't mere imitation; Gordon-Levitt proves why he's considered one of the best rising actors out there right now, bringing a haunting sense of pathos (not to mention cojones) to his role. Thanks to his performance, and Rian Johnson's script, LOOPER comes off as one of the most unique, memorable science fiction/action films in years. It'll go down as a cult classic, and maybe one day, simply a classic example of the genre.
It is absolutely glorious when intelligent sci-fi not only re-emerges, but returns and flourishes with spectacular results. Tucked neatly into this technologically and sometimes extraterrestrial genre of film is time travel. While time travel films aren't always done right, when they are they make one hell of an impact; the "Back to the Future" films, the "Terminator" films, "Donnie Darko," "Time Bandits," "Twelve Monkeys," "Source Code," and the fantastic little Spanish film "Timecrimes" are just a few examples. Combine that potential with the impressive writer/director Rian Johnson and an incredible cast that includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, and Emily Blunt and you have one of the most anticipated films of the year on your hands with "Looper."
BalasHapusIn the year 2044, time travel has not yet been invented but 30 years from now it will have been. After being labeled as illegal, the ability to leap through time is only available on the black market. People who criminal organizations want to get rid of are sent back to 2044 where hired guns called "loopers" dispose of them. Loopers make very good money and Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is living the good life. When a looper's contract nears its expiration, the mob sends back their future self who they then get rid of and have the next 30 years to live their life. It's called "closing the loop." But when Joe's future self (Bruce Willis) is sent back, his life is turned upside down.
While you may not be able to totally buy that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a younger version of Bruce Willis based on looks alone (even with the use of prosthetics), Gordon-Levitt does deserve credit for developing the ability to act like Willis along with similar facial expressions, mannerisms, and body language. Bruce Willis' character is a really interesting piece of the puzzle. The older version of Joe is committing some of the most heinous crimes imaginable, but his reasoning for it is just. As you're shown his back story, you understand what he's going through and almost find yourself rooting for him. He's like a villain with heart.
Emily Blunt is really fantastic. This might be the most straightforward and emotional that she has ever been in any performance. The addition of her son Cid (Pierce Gagnon) may make or break the film for you as it goes down a path that may find you comparing it to other films. The Cid character is an intriguing one though as his emotions are out of control, but his intentions are good and he's fairly amusing more often than not. While Paul Dano doesn't get a whole lot of screen time, it's amazing that that underhanded smarminess he's often associated with is still able to shine through.
This is Rian Johnson's best work by a landslide and that's coming from someone who absolutely loves his first two films. While the concept is somewhat familiar, it's always going in places you don't expect them to go. Seth's (Paul Dano) side plot is around the time your jaw will hit the floor. The ending is really magnificent, as well. It feels tragic on one hand, but extremely fitting on the other. While the soundtrack seems to kind of pick and choose its moments to really stand out, there are a few instances where it's emotionally overwhelming. It will only get better in repeat viewings and listens.
"Looper" is an astounding piece of cinema no matter how you slice it. Featuring fantastic performances from the entire cast, absorbing cinematography, and one of the most unique concepts for a film in quite some time, "Looper" is one of the most creative, intelligent, and unpredictable films of the year.
I gave this film 5 stars because the two lead actors were so intuned with each other it was no leap to imagine they were one and the same person.
BalasHapusThe storyline maybe simple and even cliched to some nitpickers, but the ultimate goal to close that loop rested on the characters not on technology. The need to 'see' clearly and take the appropriate actions, reflected the real life experience of making mistakes and repeating them over and over until you take correct action.
I thought it beautifully filmed and the clues to the necessary answer right up front if you were willing to look with unbiased eye.
BalasHapusGreat high action movie with a unique plot. Kept me and my wife interested the whole ride. Good movie for sure!!!!
BalasHapusIt's fast, incredibly-well paced, makes sense and delivers.
BalasHapusIt's visually striking. Perfect use of scifi. Amazing acting (seriously.. put that kid in Ender's Game).
This is an almost perfect movie (perfect by my standards, but those are my own).
See it. See it twice.
Plenty of action and we were not expecting some of the turns. The story line kept us engaged through the entire movie.
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