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There are very few things in this world that are better than a smart, engaging, sci-fi thriller. Throw in Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s remarkable talent and Bruce Willis being the Bruce Willis we all know and love, and you’ve got Looper, which in my opinion is one of the year’s best films. Plus, the film opened this weekend with over $21 million in box office sales and received a 93 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s pretty good if you ask me.

The film is set in the distant future where time travel is illegal and only available on the black market. Criminals use time travel when they need to get rid of someone by sending them back in time to be assassinated by “loopers," thus erasing them from ever having existed. Abe, played by Jeff Daniels, returns to the past to run the looper operation and Joe (Gordon-Levitt) is his youngest hired hitman. In the future, a new crime lord starts “closing the loops” by sending senior loopers back to be killed by their younger selves, and Joe is faced with having to kill his future self (Willis). But, before he gets the chance, his future self gets away, leaving the loop unclosed. Joe then has to stay a step ahead of his employers who are trying to kill him while trying to close the loop. What Joe doesn’t realize is that there is a much bigger mission to “fix” the future.

As confusing as it may sound on paper, the film is fantastic. However, the trailer may lead some to believe this film is action-packed from beginning to end. And those going to see it for Willis will be surprised and maybe a little disappointed that he doesn’t have as much screen time as the advertisements have made it seem. Still, Gordon-Levitt solidifies his abilities and status as a leading man and will not disappoint. Writer/director Rian Johnson spends much of the film developing the characters and less time focusing on the sci-fi aspects of his story, but the personal struggles of the characters make them more human in a world of few morals. That makes this a film that viewers who aren’t necessarily sci-fi fans can enjoy.

With all of that said, this film is rated R and for good reason. It is very violent, full of adult themes and the language is “colorful” to say the least. If those things don’t bother you, Looper is definitely worth the ticket price.

Until next time,
Beth