I am in no way going to delve too deeply in the plot of Looper, as everyone should enjoy this movie for themselves and not have any of the story spoiled for them. Time travel has been invented and then immediately banned sometime after the midpoint of the 21st Century. The mob, however, has taken control of the technology and uses it to neutralize people by sending them back in time 30 years where they are killed and the bodies disposed of by hitmen known as ‘Loopers’. The victims are sent with silver bars attached to them as payment until the fateful day comes when each Looper has to ‘close the loop’ — namely, kill the future version of themselves so as to keep the whole thing quiet. A Looper knows when this takes place, as his final victim will be loaded with gold bars, designating that their contract is up and they have 30 years left to enjoy their lives. The worst thing a Looper can do is ‘let their loop run’, or in other words, let a mark escape which will bring the full wrath of the mob down on them in very imaginative ways. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Joe, a Looper who is happily living the high life, killing for the mob, sleeping with a stripper who works at one of the fronts for the organization, and saving up to move to France once he finally closes his loop. The problem is, when he is finally presented with that task, things go awry and the older Joe (Bruce Willis) escapes, hellbent on his own mission to change the future, leaving youn Joe scrambling to escape the mob and take down his future self as soon as possible.
This movie was stunning and left me immediately wanting to turn around and run back into the theatre and watch it again. Everything about it works perfectly; in fact, not since last year’s Drive has a movie so completely clicked and fit together in every way possible. From the incredible performances by Gordon-Levitt, Jeff Daniels (who absolutely chews up every scene he’s in), Emily Blunt and newcomer Pierce Gagnon to the incredibly well written script and spot on direction by Rian Johnson, there is really nothing that the film does wrong. There wasn’t a single moment watching it that I was not fully engaged and entranced by what was happening on screen. Something that truly impressed me was the fact that Johnson was able to conceive a time travel story that left no loose ends and took care of all the plot holes I could think of, and did it in a way that made sense and without being pretentious, over the top or by trying to out smart the audience (I love you, Donnie Darko, but this is directed at you). Looper also doesn’t beat you over the head that you’re watching a sci-fi movie; the events that take place seem fully believable and exist in a world that could very likely mirror what it will be like in 30 years or so. Sure, there are some hoverbikes, but basically it’s a continuation of the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer, and everything just getting a little more worn down and tarnished which is a reflection of the people around it.
I would also be remiss not to comment on the great job Gordon-Levitt does of playing a young Bruce Willis; sure it takes a bit to get used to him with the prosthetics and makeup, but what is so convincing about his performance is that he perfectly mimics the way Bruce Willis speaks, holds his jaw, and gestures. I’ve been convinced for years that JGL is one of the best actors of my generation, and his performance here only helps solidify my opinion.
This movie will really appeal to any audience, even those who generally would not consider themselves science fiction or action movie fans, as the plot, dialogue, acting and intriguing time travel ideas should please everyone. I absolutely love The Avengers and had claimed it as my favorite movie of the year, but Looper has managed to bump it down a spot, and that’s about the highest praise I can give it. Simply put, this movie is amazing, and you should run out and see it … multiple times … now!