Looper

Many of us wonder what the world would be like after being introduced to the wonders of time travel. Rian Johnson has an idea, and in Looper he tries to show us a glimpse of the near future. According to Johnson, time travel is available only to secret agencies and is used only for the purpose of eliminating people from the future by sending them to the past to be killed off in seconds by assassins called “Loopers.”  Yeah, it’s confusing; I get it.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis star in this movie and play the same person, Joe. Gordon-Levitt plays the younger Joe, a 25-year old man living in the year 2044. Joe is one of these “Loopers” an assassin who kills victims sent back in time. However, Joe runs into a huge problem when he finds out that he must terminate an older version of himself. Bruce Willis is the older Joe, who is wiser and deadlier. What ensues is certainly a thrill ride for sci-fi and action movie lovers alike.

Rian Johnson is a little new to filmmaking, having made only four feature films in his career to this point. However, he brings a certain energy to this movie that many people cannot. Looper is extremely stylistic and smooth. Gordon-Levitt is a perfect casting choice for this role as he brings a very rare suaveness to the screen.

However, Looper does suffer from some shaky special effects. While not horrible, some of the effects look fake and cheesy. The action sequences near the end seem tired and worn out, becoming more of a shoot out type fiasco instead of a jaw-dropping thriller. These don’t kill the film, though, and Looper is a fun, enjoyable watch.

Prisoners

Dennis Villeneuve is a virtually unknown name in American Cinema. His 2010 mystery film Incendies sent shock waves throughout Canada but was not as well received in the United States. However, I’d say this new face definitely has a place amongst the names of the hottest filmmakers out right now.

Prisoners is a film about, well, prisoners. What’s ironic about this is that jail or prison is the least of their worries. The “prison” that traps the characters in this story is a weaving web, all circling around the abduction of two children. This film is a wonderful piece of filmmaking and is Villeneuve’s best film by far. Hugh Jackman owns the starring role as a damaged father, pushed over the limit after the abduction of his daughters. Jackman’s performance is powerful because he allows himself to be vulnerable, portraying his character’s sadness with ease. The rest of the ensemble cast, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Paul Dano, and Terrence Howard all put forth strong effort and heart into their roles, not giving ground to each other. The superb supporting cast not only pushes the story along, it’s also the catalyst that keeps the story alive.

On the surface, you’re watching a film about a father trying to save his daughter. However, several distinguishing factors make this film unique. The characters are all vulnerable; at each point in the story, we find ourselves watching them hit the lowest stages in their lives. The twist and turns in this film are endless, with none of the characters being able to find answers anywhere. You feel their frustration, and you find yourself wanting to solve the case as much as the characters. The story has underlying themes ranging from religion to child abuse. A constant war wages behind the scenes, between what is right and what is wrong.  Prisoners forces you to question what you would do in that situation, even for a loved one.

The cinematography by Roger Deakins is unparalleled, with some of the best camera work of 2013. You can feel the sheer cold of the autumn wind, and the wet, dirty muck on the ground provides a perfect atmosphere, fitting the very sticky situation. Villeneuve proves to his American audience that he is a great storyteller, and this movie kept me in it from start to finish.