Looper (2012)

Directed and Written By: Rian Johnson 

Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt

Plot: 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.

Review:

There has been a lot of internet mockery over the casting of Bruce Willis as the older version of Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Even I have to admit that the notion was preposturous, but having seen the movie, I am full of regret and shame. Gordon-Levitt's impersonation of Willis, combined with a bit of hollywood makeup magic is chillingly accurate. Every scene with Gordon-Levitt seemed less like Gordon-Levitt and more like we were actually seeing a twentysomething Bruce Willis. 

Gordon-Levitt plays "Joe," a hired-gun for the future mob. "Future mob," you ask? Yes, in the future, the mob has a terrible time getting rid of bodies, so they send them back to the past, via time travel, and loopers like Joe dispose of the bodies for a small fee. Joe is enjoying the looper life, and drugs, until he he is forced to kill himself. When Bruce Willis’ “Old Joe” is sent back, he has other ideas about his ending and prevents his younger self from completing the deed- running away in dramatic fashion. Thus a complicated game of cat and mouse, or rather, mouse/mouse/cat-mouse/cats game ensues. Later on you meet Emily Blunt who plays "Sarah," but I refuse to tell you how or why. 

I had high expectations for Looper and was thoroughly relieved to not only see a good movie, but more importantly, an original movie. That word is a rarity in Hollywood.

Pleasantly, anytime you think the movie will fall on any sort of expected plot twist, it goes in the other direction. We don’t see a lot of time travel clichés, hero clichés, anti-hero clichés, heroine clichés, but we do see typical mob bad-guy clichés- which I am perfectly ok with.

The movie has great playback and I'm already looking forward to the next time I get to see this flick. Not too mention any upcoming projects for Gordon-Levitt and Johnson. 

Tidbit: Emily Blunt only read half the script and didn't know who her character was when she agreed to star in the movie. 

Drink of Choice: This movie reminds me of my official “Huckleberry Hat (WSU Ultimate Hat Tourney)” drink, Apple Pie.  Apple pie is half 151 Vodka, combined with Apple Cider that has been infused with 5-6 cinnamon sticks. It is soothing to the palate, but packs a punch. I promise to imbibe that delicious treat until I’m as cinebriated as this movie.