Creative Sci-Fi Film That Falls Short towards the End

Rating: 7/10 (6 November 2013)

Looper was an entertaining, stylish film and was creative and original. I very much so enjoyed the first part of the movie. It was refreshing, and a breath of fresh air. We see how Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) lives, what he does for a living, him telling us about the future, and the explanation of Looper and loops are brought to us. It was a really interesting premise of how they would kill off future gang members in order to keep their present under control.
The first half was filled with action, sci-fi entertainment, stylish use of loopers, others characters demonstrating the use of loopers as well, and an overall great pace. We then see how the film drastically changes it's genre once we see Joe escape into a cane field (about 50 minutes in). A few scene later, we see a lady (Emily Blunt) outside her house with her shotgun preparing to attack whomever or whatever is hiding in her fields. Her introduction was very solid put then as the film goes on we see her be a major factor in the film. From an action, sci-fi film, the second half settles into a drama with occasional action scenes (provided by older Joe- Bruce Willis wanting to hunt down the "Rainmaker" in order for his wife to have lived in his future). I thought this part of the film was well done as we were still interested in what Willis was doing.
I feel that the entire part involving Emily Blunt slightly dragged a little too much. We then get introduced to her child (Cid) whom is a very out going kid that wants to know all of his surroundings. Then we eventually see him interact with Joe and around this scene is where the film starts its fall. Cid's presence was more into the film and it became quite silly. We then learn that he is not actually the child of the mother but adopted and was kept secret by Sara (from a discussing involving Cid and Joe at night around the table) and that he has telekinesis. We also get more clear as it becomes more evident that he is indeed the "Rainmaker" which Older Joe is looking for. As this happens, we see Older Joe hunting down kids and killing them thinks are the "Rainmaker". He kills off two kids believing at the time they were the "Rainmaker" but he quickly notices they were not (they were three possible options so this brightens his eye's as he is the only possible one left).
Fast forward to the last few scenes, Sara and Cid are escaping from their home in danger and we see Older Joe in the open road shooting fire on them inside their vehicle. As Older Joe continues his fire upon the vehicle, Cid gets scared/nervous and has a sudden outrage which he accidentally uses his telekinesis which flips their vehicle in the air crashing causing them both in pain. Then as they get up they both head towards the cane field where Older Joe see them, approaches and starts shooting. As the shots gets fired, Cid is then using his telekinesis powers and molds a large tornado wind which floats Sara and Older Joe into the air. Suddenely Joe (JGL) while driving along the path, hears gunshots, gets out while the vehicle has been flipped by the telekinesis sees them as he sees that Older Joe in in striking force of shooting Sara. I found this entire scene to be somewhat rushed as it was not executed greatly. Last couple scene, we in fact do see Older Joe shoot and kill Sara while Cid has escaped in the cane field. As of course, this did not actually happen, but was a thought or flash in Joe's head what would have occurred. Which does happen in actuality is Joe still being stunned by Older Joe about to aim fire, Joe then takes his shotgun and decides to shoot himself in the chest killing himself which causes Older Joe to suddenly vanish. I really thought this was a poor way to end the film as the protagonist kills himself in order for Sara and Cid to survive. An alternate ending where he survives and does not kill himself I think would have faired better.
Looper was a great film but has its share of flaws. People have compared it to Inception which makes sense although, Inception was executed better and it's story was more interesting as well as more characters to become invested in. Looper stands out because it did not take itself too serious from other mindless action sci-fi films. The R rating really made the film better as it was more mature wise and the violence helped in its parts. Another notable scene in Looper is the diner scene at the local restaurant where we finally see Joe and Older Joe confront each other in which they talk about few things then Older Joe tells him that he is him from the future (this scene makes it more clear for the finale). That entire scene was well thought and entertainingly done. Overall Looper is a well entertaining thought provoking film which makes you guessing and thinking. ==================================================================== ====================================================================
As a rewatch (03/03/17'), Looper is well crafted and thoughtful. The action scenes and script within its writing is clever and also yet confusing. While watching, it is important in having a full understanding of the concept to enjoy the film for the better. With time travel films in general, it is quite completely and this film manages a different technique in which we are not used to seeing, which is why Looper stands out. The finale and final scene could have been done different but we can see why the writers ended as such. Rewatching 08 03 17' for another viewings, rarely do we see sci-fi films as Looper in today's age.