Admittedly, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
did use up a little bit of his popularity safety net with August’s ill-advised Premium Rush, but by all accounts, Looper seemed poised to fully redeem the
young actor and set new groundwork for the sci-fi genre. When the trailer for Looper first hit theaters, audience reaction could better be
described as one of confusion as opposed to genuine interest, but after a
little tweaking, promotions were promising a mind-bending thriller in the same
vein as Inception. As I have mentioned in several of my reviews,
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is easily the fastest rising star in Hollywood, but once
you put him next to someone as iconic as Bruce Willis, then the star-power for
this late September release was absolutely off the charts. With so many complaints lately echoing the
perceived lack of originality that is currently plaguing Hollywood, Looper seemed poised to silence all
critics; and insanely positive early reviews out of the 2012 Toronto
International Film Festival certainly didn’t hurt either. Time travel films may normally be hit or miss,
but based on early behind-the-scenes documentaries, the mix of sci-fi imagination
and crime violence within Looper was
going to redefine the genre and hit the box office like a lightning bolt.
Imaginative, wildly original, and thoroughly thought-provoking, Looper is a thrilling film anchored by an all-star cast, smart writing, and slick direction, all of which brings futuristic sci-fi films to an entirely new level. Joseph Gordon-Levitt owns every minute he is in front of the camera, delivering a thoroughly flawed character with style and expertly mimicking the mannerisms of Bruce Willis, thereby adding even more validity to the already impressive sci-fi narrative that includes everything from time travel and assassination to telekinesis and alternative realities. And, even though their screen time is comparatively brief, both Emily Blunt and Bruce Willis earn their top billing by showcasing the talents that have made them both famous. In terms of the writing, while I do appreciate the guts it took to tackle such a complicated premise, I have to admit that things do get a little too confusing at times. If anything, that means that you will have to see Looper more than once, a requirement that many will be happy to accommodate.
Overall
Recommendation: High
Imaginative, wildly original, and thoroughly thought-provoking, Looper is a thrilling film anchored by an all-star cast, smart writing, and slick direction, all of which brings futuristic sci-fi films to an entirely new level. Joseph Gordon-Levitt owns every minute he is in front of the camera, delivering a thoroughly flawed character with style and expertly mimicking the mannerisms of Bruce Willis, thereby adding even more validity to the already impressive sci-fi narrative that includes everything from time travel and assassination to telekinesis and alternative realities. And, even though their screen time is comparatively brief, both Emily Blunt and Bruce Willis earn their top billing by showcasing the talents that have made them both famous. In terms of the writing, while I do appreciate the guts it took to tackle such a complicated premise, I have to admit that things do get a little too confusing at times. If anything, that means that you will have to see Looper more than once, a requirement that many will be happy to accommodate.
