This afternoon, I had the pleasure of seeing Rian Johnson’s Looper at the local cinema. I went in with standard expectations, even though I’d anticipated the film for the past few months. I really didn’t expect anything different from it because I’ve been trying not to take too much from trailers. But with this, I was pleasantly surprised. The story was solid, the acting terrific, and the film overall a masterpiece. Such a take on mobs is something new. It’s a commendable chance the writer took, but it succeeds in delivering a clear message — it paid off.

For once, special effects are not overdone, slow motion is at a minimal, and the story is not easily predictable. Johnson’s big screen release is the only picture I’ve seen by him, and I'd be glad to watch another of his creations. Even the ending is unexpected; it’s not the cliché “happily ever after”, but rather an ending that was needed. Closing scenes in which the protagonist wins are overdone and there's often no meaning to them. Looper introduces something fresh at the end, though it does not leave the watcher hanging so as to irk. It's subtle; satisfying.

Score: 9/10