Image belongs to Endgame Entertainment
Title: Looper
Media Type: Feature Film
Director: Rian Johnson
Studio: Endgame Entertainment
Genre: Sci-Fi
Summary: [from IMDB]
In 2074, 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.
Warning: This movie is rated ‘R’.
My Review:
OH MY GAWD! SO MANY DEAD BODIES! There is a reason this movie is rated R and it ain’t the sexin’!
So, here’s the thing. As a sci-fi geek I can definitely appreciate the story. Time travel is a very trick thing. Looper explores the intricacies and difficulties inherent in time-travel as a plot device. It does a pretty good job too. Though they never officially take the time to explain their kind of time travel, it’s pretty clear they’re using a kind of linear displacement – once you’ve gone back in time what you “remember” of the future can change, because you’re around to change it. This gets kind of confusing at the end though – I say a “kind” of linear displacement because they seem to also use elements of a circular theory (I suppose kind of necessary in a film called “Looper” lol) in that events stay essentially the same unless someone REALLY makes an effort to change them.
Anyway, back to the thing, before I got on a tangent admiring the time travel. I get that they’re making a point. I think it’s a good point to make. I just think it could be made just as well without all the gore and some of the violence. It was so bad that several times I found myself thinking “Okay, now you’re just going for the shock factor.” I mean, seriously, a kid with blood practically painted on his face, even though he wasn’t that close? Unrealistic, but it’ll sure get people to pay attention!
So, in the end, I can admire this one from an academic standpoint. Do I ever want to see it again? Not on your life!
Ha! I’ve heard of this one, but haven’t had any desire to see it. Sci-Fi movies are tricky for me because I’m not the biggest Sci-Fi person — I can appreciate it, but when it gets too technical, my eyes go like this –> o.O
Maybe if I watched more Big Bang Theory reruns, I’d be able to understand more …
I think the thing with sci-fi is to remember that you’re not SUPPOSED to get it. Sometimes they’re being technical just to be technical. I figure if it’s integral to the story, they’ll make sure I can understand it somehow (even if it’s just the idiot in the scene going “I don’t get it…” and making someone explain it to them).
When I first started seeing previews and trailers for Looper, I thought it sounded SO COOL and was pretty interested in seeing it. A few nights ago my boyfriend & I rented it and, to be honest, I’m relieved we didn’t waste $20 seeing it in a theater.
It was okay. I thought the time travel aspect was neat and I was very impressed with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Not only did the make-up seriously make him look like a young Bruce Willis, but you could tell he studied Bruce.
And about all the violence: last night my boyfriend had a nightmare about that little boy. So, yeah. I thought they took it a bit too far.
Oh yeah, I think Joseph Gordon-Leavitt did a great job! I just am not a big fan of violence, and I think that colored the rest of the film.
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