Over the top sci-fi actioner that probably wouldn't even be better on a second viewing

Rating: 4/10 (16 October 2012)

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning
In the year 2074, Joe (Joseph Gordon Levitt) is a contract killer who eliminates targets sent from the future on behalf of the mob. However, one night his associate Seth (Paul Dano), visits him in distress, saying how he's failed to kill a contract, that appears to be an older version of himself sent from the future. Pursued by mob boss Abe (Jeff Daniels) and his gang, Joe must keep his watchful eye on him, until he makes the same mistake and fails to kill his older self (Bruce Willis.) The pair form an uneasy partnership as they evade capture, while looking out for the mysterious 'Rainmaker', who will close all the 'loops' and wipe them all out.
In the 80s, and some of the 90s, Bruce Willis's name could be guaranteed to be splashed across the poster of the latest, big budget action movie, and although he basically played himself in every one of them, his presence and star quality could carry it through. But, now noticeably older and greyer, his name is pushed to the supporting side of the poster, and he's less of a big deal. But then, action films, and indeed films in general, would seem to have changed since then, and now film makers seem to be trying to out do each other with how cerebral they can make their film. With Looper, Rian Johnson is obviously quite influenced by Christopher Nolan, and his style of film making. But, while Inception really pushed the mind beyond it's boundaries, Looper just gets lost in the process.
Johnson sails his project along, clearly thinking it's the most intelligent and sophisticated thing since sliced bread, but although it might appeal to the most pretentious film students and academics, I think the average person will just find it really over complicated and far fetched, if not downright nonsensical. Wisely, Johnson doesn't become self indulgent and drag it out any way over two hours, but even by this time it feels it's dragged on and has become incredibly boring. Performances wise, in the lead roles, Gordon-Levitt and Willis create a fairly decent double act, but it's the supporting cast who let it down. Dano was brilliant as the weak preacher in There Will Be Blood, but turns in a pretty terrible performance here, really whiny and irritating, while as the villain, Daniels still can't shake off being Harry from Dumb and Dumber.
It's clear this will become a cult film, a real love it or hate it case. but I think the two camps will be pretty distinctive on both sides. **