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Created Apr 20, 2013 08:42AM PST • Edited Apr 20, 2013 08:42AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Great 4.0

   In this take on the future, the mob transports people on their hit list 30 years into the past where they are iced by time travelling lieutenants. Wow. A perfect scheme really. No traceability in the future, and no missing person to report in the past. So certainly a plausible way to employ time-travel to help with the cause of organized crime. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is part of the master scheme, until he discovers they have sent his future-self back to “close the loop.” Playing time-travel tricks like etching messages in your skin to communicate via scars to your older self, or killing your younger self while you are still alive keeps the audience on its mental toes, while the action provides an enjoyable mental respite from time to time. Bundled together, its great entertainment.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   Just off of Premium Rush, Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a great job portraying the yong looper, while balding Bruce Willis deftly displayed the seasoned (or should I say weathered) old guy. The producers try to give the edge to Bruce — after all, when you are older, you are smarter. But stronger too? I didn’t buy that part.

   An older, fatter Jeff Daniels as the boss-man seemed a little out of place. You had to try hard to think of him as evil.

   Emily Blunt was cool to see as the tough yet hot single mom of creepy kid Pierce Gagnon (who would be terrific in a Shining remake).

   A short-lived Paul Dano should have gotten a bigger part – I like that guy.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    Great 4.0

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Great 4.0

13. Music Great 4.0

14. Visuals Great 4.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.3

17. Sex Titillating 2.3

18. Violence Fierce 2.3

19. Rudeness Salty 2.3

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.9

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.9

23. Biological Surreal 2.9

24. Physical Surreal 2.9