Closing the loop

The phrase used in the film “Looper” represents cutting off any loose ends. If the ends are not tied then events later on become irreversible or can not be undone.

To commit such an activity is to signal one’s downfall which happens to Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) as he tries to make amends for his failings to his employers.

In order to understand the consequences, one has to understand the line of work in which he is involved.

Being a science fiction film, the element of time is the major focal point as the advent of time travel is a reality only to become illegal. The technology is only implemented by crime syndicates who look to target their adversaries before transporting them to the present where Joe disposes of them once he's done with his assignment.

He's a killer who’s only doing what it takes to make ends meet. The film shows that the majority of the population in impoverishment becoming vagrants and wandering their lives trying to survive.

If one can not become a killer then another profession that they can become is an escort/dancer for the men of killer who only preoccupy themselves with the ladies before their next assignment. A beauty that attracts Joe is Suzie (Piper Perabo) who like Joe does what ever it takes to make ends meet.

Besides women as vices, Joe’s lifestyle allows him to easily succumb to becoming a junkie to fill in the void when he’s not on the assignment with his other associates, Seth (Paul Dano), by partying in the club and letting loose on the city streets.

Recently these assassins have been called upon to carry more of the closing of the loop, and when it’s time for Joe to do the same in the form of his older self portrayed by Bruce Willis as Old Joe.

When he fails his assignment, that's known in the film as "running the loop," which is the biggest offense a looper can commit. The punishment is to capture and apprehend both individuals before they cause a ripple in the future and eventually death.

From that point on, the film diverges between Old Joe who goes back to the past to stop a possible terror from coming to ascension as the Rainmaker.

The Young Joe is on the hunt for his future self. The only clue that helps Young Joe in figuring out his whereabouts is to a stakeout a possible location in which his older self may appear in that his older version is on the intent of taking out the Rainmaker.

Young Joe position himself on a farm occupied by Sara (Emily Blunt) and her son, Cid (Pierce Gagnon).

While trying to avoid his boss, Abe (Jeff Daniels) and Kid Blue (Noah Segan), who is on his track, Young Joe looks to make things right by making things right by confronting his older self when the time comes.

The film does a great job in showing the transition of Mr.Gordon-Levitt in prosthetic to his transition to Mr.Willis. The two actors of different period go head to head not only out in the open physically but mentally featured prominently in a diner scene.

This is shown while the film slows down enough from its hectic pace to slow down to a moment as the questions of time travel must be discussed between the two selves of one.

But as the future shows, there’s no way of escaping from your past and of your true self as only those who get close to you only become casualties.

The film also has an element of Western in that each of the outlaws go after one another with Young Joe wanting to be the hero wanting to take the ladies in his life away from the evil that the world has become.

Even the characters of Sara and Cid can be romanticized as needing protection that comes in the form of a young gun slinger who’s only looking to make things right when he had the chance in the beginning.

Even though the film highlights Mr.Gordon-Levitt who has shown his versatility from portraying a cop in “The Dark Knight Rises,” a bike messenger “Premium Rush” and now a killer all within the year and an actor familiar with the science fiction genre with Bruce Willis (“12 Monkeys"), the true talent to be reckoned with his Pierce’s portrayal of Cid.

He leads the audience on with his flashes of brilliance, his understanding of the world, that makes the believer think that he is the possible terror that is unleashed in the future. What makes him an appealing character is his child-like qualities shows that the film is not only about the older generation but the younger one as well.

Classification: Blu-Ray Release

Movie Grade: 4 stars out of 5 stars.

The film follows the rules of science fiction genre with the element of time travel and thought of meeting our selves during different phases of the life. But during the film one can help but be held captive by the antics of child who proves key to the film.

Blu-Ray Grade: 4 stars out of 5 stars

Commentary with Director Rian Johnson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Emily Blunt.
“The Future from the Beginning”
“The Science of Time Travel”
“Scoring the Loop”
“Looper” animated trailer, previews and deleted scenes.

The extra features include a look behind in giving the film its look through its sound from music and sound effects. A discussion of the possible realities and the rules of time travel based upon the film. There’s an extended scene featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis in a diner.

Rating: R for strong violence, language, some sexuality/nudity and drug content

Timing: 1 Hour,59 Minutes

Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Crime, Thriller.