Looper (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review

The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )

Film:

Extras:

Audio/Video total rating:

( Max score: 100 )
94





Studio and Year: Tri-Star Pictures - 2012
MPAA Rating: R
Feature running time: 119 minutes
Genre: Sci-Fi/Thriller

Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.35:1
Resolution: 1080p/24


Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Jeff Daniels, Paul Dano, Noah Segan, Piper Perabo, Garrett Dillahunt
Written &Directed by: Rian Johnson
Music by: Nathan Johnson
Region Code: A

Blu-ray Disc release Date: December 31, 2012

Film Synopsis:

In the year 2044, a mob hitman assassinates targets that arrive from the future of 2074. For him it's just a job... till he receives a new target: himself from the future.

My Take:

In this futuristic action thriller, time travel will be invented – but it will be illegal and only available on the black market. When the mob wants to get rid of someone, they will send their target 30 years into the past where a “looper” – a hired gun, like Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) – is waiting to mop up. With each hit paid in silver bars, Joe is getting rich and life is good…until the day the mob decides to “close a loop”. This means capturing a looper’s older (by 30 years) self and sending them back for extermination BY their respective younger counterparts. This is an accepted practice that sends loopers into retirement with a large payout that enables them to live the high life for the next 30 years. In Joe’s case his older counterpart (Bruce Willis) isn’t willing to go so easily and both men find themselves in the same time locked in a battle with two very different objectives. The outcome will decide not only Joe’s fate but perhaps alter the future for a generation.

I saw Looper in the theater and going in was intrigued by what looked like a solid concept and excellent casting. I enjoyed it overall but felt that the development of older Joe’s character (Bruce Willis) specifically more on what occurred in his life during the 30 year period after he closes his loop (I am not giving anything away there) was lacking. Based upon his reasons for what he does when sent back 30 years (for termination) I felt that a deeper connection to that past (or future) would have provided more conflict for the audience when trying to decide who to root for. I say this because the way it plays out you definitely find yourself pulling for one of them but wanting to pull for the other. On top of that there is an unseen foe from the future that is essentially the impetus for much of what occurs but we see nothing of that other than mere mentions. A little more on that along with older Joe’s story would have given more gravity to the twin narratives.

Having said that there was still much to like about Looper and that didn’t change with this second viewing, in fact I would say that I enjoyed it a little bit more. Obviously with a time traveling plot that revolves around the same character in a rotational context there is a mind bending element that requires strict attention but here I wouldn’t describe it as confusing. Once you figure out where things are headed then understanding what the only outcome can be is simple. Luckily this doesn’t dampen the thrills or lessen the outcome’s impact. There is ample action and the film is edgy with a slickly executed screenplay that is made even better by top notch production elements. The make-up that is used to transform Joseph Gordon-Levitt into a “young” Bruce Willis is impressive to say the least. He leads the way in a strong cast ensemble that includes Bruce Willis who still has the chops to be a credible tough guy, Emily Blunt (need I say more?), Jeff Daniels and the scene stealing Pierce Gagnon (you’ll just have to see for yourself).

Looper is stylish, thought provoking and imaginative. When you combine that with above average action, engaging production elements and solid casting you have an entertaining and memorable multi-genre film that can’t miss with discerning fans.


Parental Guide:

The rating is for strong violence, language, some sexuality/nudity and drug content.


AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**


Audio: 96

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

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Video: 92

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

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• Compression:

Looper comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 29 Mbps lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate 4.1 Mbps.

This is an excellent high definition video presentation from Sony. Image depth during the brighter sequences is appreciable from nearly every camera perspective. Objects within backgrounds have definable structure/texture which makes them appear very lifelike and three dimensional. The video is crisp with natural looking, well balanced colors that give it a transparent and lustrous quality. Shadow detail is strong which enhances depth during dark segments that contain limited light. Blacks are deep, dynamic and stable which adds punch to sequences containing both light and dark elements. Contrast is strong which delivers bright punchy whites and vivid primary colors. Fleshtones are creamy and lifelike. Resolution during a few of the darkened sequences softens a bit but not to a point where I found it to be problematic. I thought that at times this video presentation looked stunning and exhibited quality that is as good as I have seen on Blu-ray.

The 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack is outstanding and truly enhances the film’s overall presentation. This is a dynamically charged surround mix that features high level detail, superlative clarity, and rich, room filling surround sound that doesn’t disappoint. This is sophisticated sound design that incorporates a vast number of sound effects that are intricately mixed to engage the listening position. Superb imaging and channel separation draw out both large and small sounds and allow their directional correlation based upon the onscreen events to be definable within the room’s acoustic boundaries. This is not an ostentatious audio presentation per se but it definitively produces powerful dynamics and deep bass extension that produces smooth, palpably rich low frequencies that can be felt more than heard as it pressurizes the room. Dialogue is reproduced with lucid expression and exacting clarity. I never had any trouble distinguishing even the slightest changes in the pitch or tonal inflection of voices. End to end this is an attention grabbing home theater presentation that is tailor made for enthusiasts that demand the best from their surround sound systems.


Bonus Features:

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• Audio commentary with Rian Johnson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Emily Blunt
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• (HD) 22 deleted scenes with optional commentary by Rian Johnson & Noah Segan
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• (HD) The future from the beginning – 8 minute featurette
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• (HD) The science of time travel – 8 minute featurette
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• (HD) Scoring Looper (3 segments):
• 1. Field recording – 5 minutes
     
  2. Percussion – 4 minutes
     
  3. Melodic instruments – 6 minutes
• (HD) Looper animated trailer – 1 minute
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• Ultraviolet Digital Copy

Final Thoughts:

Looper is a stylish, thought provoking and imaginative sci-fi action thriller that can’t miss with fans that revel in multi-genre films of its type. It isn’t perfect but writer/director Rian Johnson utilizes an excellent cast and top notch production value to successfully draw you into his world. Looper comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment featuring reference quality high definition video, a superb DTS-HD Master Audio surround mix and above average supplements that provide a glimpse behind the curtain. This one is easy to recommend so feel free to pick it up on Blu-ray. Enjoy!













Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews





Reference Review System:


JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Onkyo PR-SC5508 THX Ultra 2 Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-103 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package

Greetings,

Be sure to post back once you have checked it out in Blu..


Regards,

Greetings,

You're very welcome Angler55. Be sure to post back with your thoughts afterward...


Regards,

Greetings,

Glad to hear it wingnut4772..



Thanks for the chuckle Warren!


Regards,

Greetings,

That is strange yadfgp. You're positive that what they sent from NF was Blu-ray and not a DVD? Your description of the audio/video is pretty far off from my experience both in the theater and on Blu-ray.


Regards,