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Looper (dir. Rian Johnson; Gordon-Levitt, Willis)
- Thread starter Expendable.
- Start date
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Young Willis had that shit-eating grin down like nobody's business. Joe, one the other hand, was all about being frowny-McFrownster, which is an old-Bruce Willis staple.
So you gotta imagine JGL acting like Bruce Willis in the year 2012, not the 1980s.
Also, Bruce has a wide face, whereas JGL's face is skinny.
So you gotta imagine JGL acting like Bruce Willis in the year 2012, not the 1980s.
Also, Bruce has a wide face, whereas JGL's face is skinny.
That's the darkest ending but I don't know if it'd be the best. It was built up pretty strongly the other direction.
again, he's a kid.
Are we all agreed that there was pretty much no good reason to try making JGL look like Willis at all?
If they just looked like their normal selves, everyone would have just willingly suspended their disbelief. Instead there's this incredibly jarring makeup, where JGL looks like himself in one shot, and looks like a completely different person in another. A couple times I actually wasn't sure if they just got another actor to play the same character. It's constantly nagging at you throughout the film, whereas if they hadn't used the makeup and prosthetics you'd probably get over the differences in about 5 minutes. I think it's made worse by the fact that the makeup looks okay in dark/low-light settings, but is completely disarming in bright scenes. Because the movie doesn't have any bright scenes for the first 20-30 minutes it becomes even more jarring to have JGL turn into a completely different guy than the one you just watched for 20-30 minutes.
If anything, they should have just used the Willis makeup on JGL for Years 10-20 of the Flashforward, and been done with it.
If they just looked like their normal selves, everyone would have just willingly suspended their disbelief. Instead there's this incredibly jarring makeup, where JGL looks like himself in one shot, and looks like a completely different person in another. A couple times I actually wasn't sure if they just got another actor to play the same character. It's constantly nagging at you throughout the film, whereas if they hadn't used the makeup and prosthetics you'd probably get over the differences in about 5 minutes. I think it's made worse by the fact that the makeup looks okay in dark/low-light settings, but is completely disarming in bright scenes. Because the movie doesn't have any bright scenes for the first 20-30 minutes it becomes even more jarring to have JGL turn into a completely different guy than the one you just watched for 20-30 minutes.
If anything, they should have just used the Willis makeup on JGL for Years 10-20 of the Flashforward, and been done with it.
JGL looked almost exactly like Kyle Chandler.
The makeup was completely useless, but it looked ok and didn't really affect the movie much.
Overall I really enjoyed it. Yes the kid comes off as more so evil and at one point I was hoping older Joe would've had his way but I'm thinking that was part of the story and to make you think about what's right, what's wrong and is the price worth it.
Soundtrack was great and it's just a really creative movie. Yea it can be seen as a mashup of Terminator and the countless telekenesis movies but it was done in a fairly smart way I thought. Emily, Bruce, JGL, and the boss were all fantastic.
The makeup was completely useless, but it looked ok and didn't really affect the movie much.
Overall I really enjoyed it. Yes the kid comes off as more so evil and at one point I was hoping older Joe would've had his way but I'm thinking that was part of the story and to make you think about what's right, what's wrong and is the price worth it.
Soundtrack was great and it's just a really creative movie. Yea it can be seen as a mashup of Terminator and the countless telekenesis movies but it was done in a fairly smart way I thought. Emily, Bruce, JGL, and the boss were all fantastic.
We should be, if we're not.
Discotheque
Banned
Eh I thought the makeup used on him was a cool effect, even if it didn't get it's intended purpose down 100 percent.
I thought JGL looked most badass in Shanghai with that long slick backed hair. It's funny just how much more ruthless and quick old Joe was compared to young Joe. Dat Die Hard life experience.
I thought JGL looked most badass in Shanghai with that long slick backed hair. It's funny just how much more ruthless and quick old Joe was compared to young Joe. Dat Die Hard life experience.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
Wait a second, there are people who hated the thirty-year montage? What the fuck is wrong with you people? Best part of the film.
Discotheque
Banned
Yeah I was grinning during that entire scene. My favorite part of the whole movie.
edit: Kid Blue's revolver was so G. Where's Manos at? I want info on that gun.
Salvor.Hardin
Banned
Not going to lie. I thought JGL with makeup looked fucking awesome.
Expendable.
Member
They should've released this in summer. It would have easily been the best/most entertaining film.
But it's doing well enough in September, so can't complain.
There was good reason but there was no way to make it remotely believable make up wise. His acting was far and beyond what Willis brought to the table though.
reggieandTFE
Member
Looking at the last page, it was pretty much one guy...and he's so wrong.
To compete with Batman? Yeah, no
Not to say Looper shouldn't be standing toe to toe with Batman but it would have just got lost
I liked the movie but after taking some time to think on it, the last act really does feel like a completely different movie. I won't say that I was not engaged by the story but the first two thirds of the movie feels like really good noir/sci-fi, lots of world building etc and the last act plays out like a undercooked domestic drama. I feel JGL's
And the 30 year montage is essential to the narrative. It's what gives the movie its strong emotional undercurrent.
character needed a stronger bond/relationship with the kid to make the ending really pay off.
And the 30 year montage is essential to the narrative. It's what gives the movie its strong emotional undercurrent.
RobotNinjaHornets
Banned
Wish we'd got more of this JGL, the longer hair looked awesome
Salvor.Hardin
Banned
I got a huge Cowboy Bebop vibe from that bit.
Salvor.Hardin
Banned
Which is ever more glaring seeing as how Dano looks exactly like he did when he was 15.
It could have been released in June. I think an audience would have liked a good sci-fi film in June 2012.
Expendable.
Member
Especially the weeken we got just Rock of Ages and That's My Boy. Would have been great counter-programming.
That was the best part of it to me. It was sorta like the opening to Brothers Bloom. I think Rian has some very cool ideas in every movie regardless of whether I love the entire thing. I was sorta disappointed with the turn in this movie but did love the first half and the 30 year montage.
The Chinese cut has the montage sequence extended, I'm guessing they'll include that on the home release if we're lucky.
Salvor.Hardin
Banned
Ah interesting. I'm going to have to check out more of his stuff. And yeah, totally missed the Red Eye similarity.
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
Liked the movie but whatever they did to JGL he looked like he'd be Daniel Craig's brother more-so than a young Bruce Willis.
EDIT: In some scenes he looked like a Daniel Craig look alike to me. But after seeing that Kyle Chandler pic above I'd say he mostly did look like him.
EDIT: In some scenes he looked like a Daniel Craig look alike to me. But after seeing that Kyle Chandler pic above I'd say he mostly did look like him.
Wait really? Wow thats dumb.
Are we spoiling things? I'll be safe just in case:
.
I know it's 'possible futures', but it kinda took me right out of the entire thing at the end.
Movie was good except for the massive paradox caused by killing the older Joe.. entire film shouldn't have occurred.
I know it's 'possible futures', but it kinda took me right out of the entire thing at the end.
Expendable.
Member
The China version has only a few extra shots, but there is actually a montage double in length set over a piano score that will be on the Blu-ray.
I wonder if
there was another solution that could've solved the problem instead of Young Joe killing himself. My brother suggested shooting off his hand, which while a temporary solution, it would've given Old Joe time to gain and understand the memories of the realization of the cycle of violence and maybe reconsider his actions.
MrPink93485
Member
Nudity was censored in China, so I guess there's that trade off if you felt that was necessary.
Salvor.Hardin
Banned
Old Joe is from the future. He'd probably have a robotic arm where he shot his off.
Question: I might have missed this explanation, but how did Jeff Daniels and the gang find out if the person sent to the past to be killed wasn't killed? They seemed to start a man hunt immediately following the two instances we saw the victims escape.
Just got back from seeing this at the theater, liked the movie but wasn't going to post here until seeing the past few posts, since the place I saw the movie was in fact in China. One thing that was very glaring during the montage scene was a couple of big ads on the shanghai buildings for current Chinese brands (the rest of the film being devoid of product placement) which I daresay were probably among the scenes added. Didn't seem like there was anything of importance that could have been cut out. Also should say that future Shanghai was well done (I live there).
Well Old Seth didn't instantly get robotic limbs as he was slowly dissected. Though I guess the argument there could be that he would just be in mob custody for all 30 years and only kept alive to get sent back and close the loop.
I'd guess it has something to do with whether the Looper turns in their silver/gold or not?
Oh hell yes.
Movie was terrific, saw it this past weekend with my GF. We both had a great time, talked about it for a while after. JGL and Willis delivered, and hopefully this means we'll get more Johnson projects. Definitely one of my favorite films of the year. I think it's possible to poke some holes in it, but I try to let the time travel stuff slip. Speaking of which,
did anyone else find it funny how Johnson used old Joe to basically say hell no to explaining the time travel portion because of plot holes?
How do they know when a target is coming thru? Get a phone call or something?
Anton Sugar
Member
Yeah, that was pretty amusing.
I was kind of hoping we'd find out who
character was in the 'present'... Seemed like they were setting him up as someone important and we never saw it or ran into it...
I was almost half expecting him to be
.. Oh well.
Jeff Daniels'
I was almost half expecting him to be
The guy who shot his own foot off, or someone who knew Joe and went back in time to give him his start since he liked him so much
Panipal2009
Banned
The Young Joe who actually did shoot his older self (who was bound and gagged) grew up to be the Old Joe who went back without being bagged up, got away from his younger self and went hunting the Rainmaker.
JoshuaJSlone
Member
saw it yesterday.
the old seth dismemberment stuff freaked me the fuck out. really creepy. it was well done, but i don't like it because it was so unnerving. so it did its job right.
i have theories as to possibilities regarding the truth behind sara and cid. i think there's some time travel stuff in there, especially since cid calls sara's 'sister' his grandma, and sara knows about loopers. and loopers aren't very well-known outside the organization that funds them because 1) the future mob wants to keep everything hush-hush regarding time travel and 2) joe actually starts explaining what a looper is to sara before she explains she knows what he is.
i really liked the long shot of old joe escaping. it was probably the funniest thing in the movie for me. i liked jeff daniels. i really liked how both joes are complete assholes, and they don't deserve to be the hero in the film. the role reversal between old joe seeming to be the hero and young joe saving the day was well done, and i like the idea that the rainmaker might not have actually been a villain at all. in old joe's timeline, the rainmaker was basically eliminating the loopers, thus ending the ability for the mobs to kill people they didn't want as effectively.
i have theories as to possibilities regarding the truth behind sara and cid. i think there's some time travel stuff in there, especially since cid calls sara's 'sister' his grandma, and sara knows about loopers. and loopers aren't very well-known outside the organization that funds them because 1) the future mob wants to keep everything hush-hush regarding time travel and 2) joe actually starts explaining what a looper is to sara before she explains she knows what he is.
i really liked the long shot of old joe escaping. it was probably the funniest thing in the movie for me. i liked jeff daniels. i really liked how both joes are complete assholes, and they don't deserve to be the hero in the film. the role reversal between old joe seeming to be the hero and young joe saving the day was well done, and i like the idea that the rainmaker might not have actually been a villain at all. in old joe's timeline, the rainmaker was basically eliminating the loopers, thus ending the ability for the mobs to kill people they didn't want as effectively.
lori's name was sara. also I've been guessing that sara probably had cid with a mob member, maybe even a looper, who then died or something.
After watching it on Friday night and thinking it over through the weekend, I believe this is a magnificent specimen of cyberpunk genre film. It merits praise for a well crafted script, an effective production effort, and some well tuned acting from JGL in particular.
Edit: Happy to hear the reference to
was intentional.
Edit: Happy to hear the reference to
Cowboy Bebop's Red Eye
What are you confused about?
Young Joe realized that the Rainmaker would be "born" if he let Old Joe kill Sara. Therefore he shoots himself, thus killing Old Joe and hopefully stopping the Rainmaker.
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