SWNN Video: Rian Johnson’s Looper – A Star Wars Comparison

In this video, I briefly go over some of the story elements in Rian Johnson’s 2012 sci-fi thriller, Looper. There is some significant overlap between Looper and the main Star Wars saga, which indicates that Rian Johnson was the right pick for Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. He really knows how to craft sympathetic characters so that we become invested in their journeys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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8 thoughts on “SWNN Video: Rian Johnson’s Looper – A Star Wars Comparison

  • October 24, 2017 at 10:27 pm
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    I wonder if Paul Dano auditioned for the role of Kylon Ren. He probably would’ve been cast if Rian sat in the chair before J.J..

  • October 24, 2017 at 10:28 pm
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    Very nice essay 🙂
    I always felt that “the Rainmaker” would’ve been a way smarter, more interesting approach to the Anakin’s character than what we actually got.

    However – weird as it may sounds – what really sold me on Johnson being a great choice for SW was not so much “Looper” (which I loved, by the way) but the work he did on Breaking Bad. He directed what – to me – stand as two of the best episodes on that show.
    “Fly” is, basically, an exercise in both style and character management and, despite being set almost entirely in a single room, keeps you glued to the chair. The way RJ uses space and surfaces to ‘lock’ you in the story and the way he shots dialogues, constantly filling them with tiny details that reveals way more, about the characters, than their words do… it’s just masterful.
    And “Ozymandias” is probably one of the best pieces of television I’ve ever witnessed.

    I’m really excited to see what will he bring to the SW universe.

    • October 27, 2017 at 9:22 pm
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      I’ve seen Looper numerous times, I love it.
      “The Rainmaker” might be a fitting character for THAT film, but the last thing we need in a Star Wars film is a character whose powers are so extremely powerful that the power becomes the focus instead of the character itself. Anakin wasn’t all-powerful in the prequels, which was a good thing. If Rey and Kylo become some sort of superstrong Force-users who can fly and pull down starships from the sky, it’s not Star Wars anymore – it’s a superhero movie.

  • October 24, 2017 at 10:31 pm
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    Very interesting. I wish I could elaborate but I’m too tired. +1 Sub

  • October 25, 2017 at 12:30 am
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    Excellent, video essay, man. Looper is one of my personal favorite films of all time. It is a true work of craftsmanship and in turn showcased Rian Johnson’s amazing skills and what made me, along with Brick and Breaking Bad, sold.

    The storytelling of Looper in my view I can actually see being reflected in TLJ quite well in the sense of Luke Skywalker and the First Jedi temple. We learn in Looper that the Rainmaker very much is this individual created by a ripple effect; namely of Joe’s actions and how this in turn creates an endless loop.

    What if RJ decides to go this route with the Jedi and Sith? The proof exists in how RJ decided to have Ach-too; the first Jedi temple and Luke being isolated. Is Luke afraid of acting because he in turn found out about something in regards to the Jedi and Sith? And how that relates to the Force and the concept of balance with the Force?

    And when you consider Kylo Ren; who Luke taught and ultimately went down the same path as his own father, Anakin; I can see this actually being reflected very well for SWs. This being that it turns SWs from not just a simple tale of good vs evil, but more of a tale of fate, namely with the Force always existing in dualities. This being the dark and light side.

    And if that is the case, then I am so in. Because, much like Joe; I have a hunch we are going to be thrown for a loop(pardon the pun) when it comes to the ending of this movie. My theory being; Rey, Kylo or whoever is going to make a choice that is unconventional and I daresay controversial.

    But hey; ESB was a polarizing film when it came out and look what happened? Excellent, video man.

    • October 25, 2017 at 12:33 am
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      Also on a side note; I am really excited to see the flashbacks in TLJ. Looper to me is an excellent example on how films should incorporate them. Flashbacks, by their very nature, stall the narrative. The tradeoff being that we the audience either learn something new or reinforce aspects that we have seen before in a story.

      For example, characterization and motivation. In the case of TLJ: I can easily see the flashbacks informing us of why Luke became the way he did, as well as, setting the atmosphere for the entire movie. And that to me excites me; as this will be groundbreaking for the franchise.

      But also, if done well, will be one of the best moviegoing experiences I will ever have. So yeah, call me a RJ fanboy. But there is a reason why I was so pumped for the ST. Even if Abrams was involved. Not to open a can of worms.

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