Entertaining but wrong

Rating: 6/10 (26 November 2012)

It's a fun film no question - very entertaining. But unfortunately it's wrong, which is a pity because if you think about it too hard it pretty much spoils it. Even before you get to characters who have magic superpowers.
See the whole premise of the film and the basis for the ending is that Young Joe is Old Joe's past self. It's critical that this is so because Young Joe kills himself to erase Old Joe. This will only happen if Young Joe is Old Joe's past self.
Unfortunately Young Joe cannot be Old Joe's past self because Old Joe killed his looper (going on to live in Shanghai, spend all his saved silver and live his 30 year contracted lifespan before the gangsters came to close his loop). Old Joe killed his looper.
But Young Joe didn't kill his looper. His looper is Old Joe, and Young Joe is currently attempting to get rid of Old Joe so he can get back in with the mob and get his silver, and his life, back. Young Joe didn't kill his looper
So Young Joe is not Old Joe's past self. So when Young Joe kills himself it will have no effect on Old Joe whatsoever.
Wrong!