‘Looper’ is one of the best science-fiction films of the last 20 years

Looper
Directed by Rian Johnson
Written by Rian Johnson
USA, 2012

If there’s any justice in this world, we’ll look back on Looper in 10 or 20 years, and pinpoint it as the moment when Rian Johnson entered into the realm of stardom. Though he proved his directing savvy with Brick and The Brothers Bloom, it’s Looper that cements Johnson as an exciting and ambitious auteur, someone whose next film is something we should all be anticipating breathlessly, no matter what it ends up being. We may soon drown in the hyperbole surrounding Looper, but every so often, a film earns such high praise. Looper is a thrilling and daring story that earns its place next to The Matrix and Children of Men as one of the best science-fiction films of the past 20 years.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Joe, a criminal who works as a looper in Kansas City, circa 2044, when time travel has yet to be invented. However, in 2074, time travel not only exists, but it’s outlawed and used only by major criminal syndicates. When these gangsters want someone in their time dead, they send the unfortunate soul back to 2044 in a specific spot, where loopers kill and dispose of the bodies. One day, Joe finds himself tasked with closing his loop, also known as killing…himself. The older Joe, that is, played by Bruce Willis. The 2074 version of Joe, however, is prepared to fight off his younger self, and runs away with a mysterious plan in mind to change the future. Both versions of Joe are soon on the run from each other, and from Abe, the mob boss in charge of loopers (Jeff Daniels), who wants Joe’s loop closed at any cost.

CLICK HERE TO EXPAND THE ARTICLE