Technical perfection

Rating: 8/10 (6 October 2012)

A mixture of great ideas from the past combined with amazing camera work and acting gives us quite a nice ride, but only if we watch the movie as a big picture. The minute we start to dissect it, and analyze the pieces, it falls apart. That is Loopers greatest fail. So here we go:
1) The story. There is nothing what-so-ever original about this movie. The idea of time traveling is, and always was an interesting subject. Many great movies were based on the subject (The terminator, Timecop, Dejavu etc.) Using the idea is nothing bad, but using the same plot is. I was almost convinced this movie could get a lawsuit for plagiarism. The ending is the only thing saving it from a potential lawsuit. And mind that the ending is superb and the only original aspect of the film! There is also a problem with understanding how the main plot actually begins because the more you think about it, the more incomprehensible it becomes (this is not a smart movie like Inception). Maybe for someone who hasn't seen specific movies (or a lot of movies) before this one, would be amazed with it, but I am not. As I said, the ending saves the movie, it is original and unexpected. So basically, using already existing elements, combining them and making an original ending is how the story functions.
2) The actors. Willis and Levitt are a good. Blunt was a surprise with the accent and performance, leaving her, so far, known roles. She gave by far the best performance in the movie. Her lost and afraid character was beautifully portrayed. Her sexuality was dripping from the screen. I would like to see her in more roles like this. Willis was supposed to give an action element to the movie, and he did - in one scene. He is the only one that actually understood his character's essence in total and acted just as he should have (prooving he is still Hollywood's biggest stars and one of the biggest actors today). But, a John McClane style is not to be expected here. An unorthodox role for Willis, but very nicely done. Levitt is good, but not as good as he can be (just remember The dark knight rises or 3rd rock from the sun). His character was supposed to be more freaked out, violent, ruthless. Was he a believable younger version of Willis? Not really. All in all, really good acting.
3) Everything else. There is absolutely nothing I can say or find that is wrong on the technical side of the film (and I tried). The camera is Oscar worthy, the shots were ingenious, and angles breathtaking. The director did an amazing job watching how to reveal specific elements to the audience never fully telling us everything but actually telling us more than he should have (a masterpiece in directing). The music that breaks nerves, and understands every scene in it's core. A fusion that is just unbelievable.
Is this movie good? Yes. Could it have been better? I don't believe so. It's dark, difficult at times, disturbing. Don't expect a classic Willis knock-out. Don't believe the trailer and make no assumptions. In order to fully enjoy the film forget everything you have seen before and try not to spot the elements from other movies. If you succeed in that it will be a hell of a ride. Personally, I didn't like it much, but that doesn't mean it isn't good. Be ready for everything that you didn't expect. 8/10