Directed by:
Terry GilliamCinematography:
Roger PrattComposer:
Paul BuckmasterCast:
Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, Christopher Plummer, Jon Seda, David Morse, Bill Raymond, Frank Gorshin, Chuck Jeffreys, Matt Ross (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
Cole (Brue Willis) is sent back in time to save the human race from a deadly virus. Along his travels, he encounters a psychiatrist (Madeleine Stow) and a mental patient, brilliantly portrayed by Brad Pitt, who may hold the key to the mysterious Army of the 12 Monkeys, thought to be responsible for unleashing the killer disease. Believing he can obtain a pure virus sample in order to find a cure in the future, he is met with one riddle after another that puts him in a race for time. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (10)
An interesting futuristic view for that time and a nice concept of time travel, but not so impressive today. There are much better pieces in the genre, more action-packed and more nimble concepts and here not much happens in two hours. On the other hand, the main qualities of 12 Monkeys are not "during it", but in what comes "after it" - or rather, after the closing credits. I've never seen a film that didn't have an official interpretation of the ending, it was explained by the filmmaker, but also by the audience, who simply hasn’t agreed on the final version. And that's what I like about this film. Otherwise, though, the main storyline is too talky for me, and even Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis can’t significantly save it, so I'll leave the three-star rating with the comment that the ending will be on my mind for a long time to come. A fun film.
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First and foremost, a thorough script guarantees a quality spectacle. And I dare to say that on the first watch, this film is difficult to understand, and penetrating all the nuances and intricacies of the script can only be achieved on a second or third viewing. It can be said that throughout the the film, we do not know where we stand. There are plenty of deceptive references and supporting characters. All of this is wrapped in Terry Gilliam’s typical visual style and unmistakable signature. I dare not claim that I fully understood this masterpiece, but I can confidently say that there are very few films of this kind, with such a large dose of originality and directorial invention. And when you add excellent performances by Bruce Willis and Madeleine Stowe, the result is nothing short of a masterpiece.
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For most critics, the film Brazil represents the peak of Gilliam's work, while Twelve Monkeys is considered too mainstream, where Gilliam's creative vision was hindered by strict producer oversight. The truth is that Brazil is indeed a pinnacle work in certain aspects (especially in terms of its visual design), but it is also very unbalanced, narcissistic, and difficult for most viewers to comprehend. On the other hand, Twelve Monkeys is an exceptionally balanced genre film, built upon a strong theme, an intelligent script with a highly emotive plot, and a superbly crafted tragic yet ambiguous final scene. Even a disciplined Gilliam presents his viewers with absurd ideas from his workshop (the punishment chair), Orwellian situations (scientists with gifts above Cole's tortured body), and plenty of clever shots with a sense of composition (Cole's ascent into the abandoned city with wild animals on the ledges of the buildings). The excellent cast is led by Bruce Willis, who delivered top-notch character acting without wrestling holds and punches, unlike in his other films. The crazy Brad Pitt showcased once again that he has a very impressive range as an actor, beyond just a handsome face. We also get the demonic David Morse in a small role. There are no weak performances here. For me, this is the absolute pinnacle of the sci-fi genre. Overall impression: 100%. Excellent work with the time paradox within the genre. Even the very tragic theme of a hero desperately trying to stop a catastrophe is lightened in several scenes with small sarcastic jokes.
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Some films can give us an intellectual experience and others can give us an emotional experience. 12 Monkeys gives us both, presenting each in exemplary form and blending them into a perfectly harmonious form in the climax. It is a form in which one can find something new even on the tenth viewing, thus making 12 Monkeys a gem of the sci-fi genre.
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If someone still thinks that Brad Pitt can't act, that he's just a Hollywood good-looking guy, they should watch "12 Monkeys". This is clear proof that he is not only a good actor, he is a great actor who can truly immerse himself in a role. There are very few of them like him. He proves it with every other film, whether it's "Babel," "Benjamin Button," or "Moneyball." Besides him, even Bruce Willis is not a bad actor, he is capable of handling action, serious, and comedic roles. Now he had to present himself as an actor of a serious role and he succeeded. His James Cole is as crazy as the whole film is crazy. Paranoia and schizophrenia intertwine in a story that evokes feelings of duality and misunderstanding in the viewer. Madness is conveyed along with other emotions, which only shows how excellent a film is as a means of evoking emotions. It is unique with its visual side, which Terry Gilliam has simply mastered. But this time, the story also worked. Within two hours, you will be taken to different places, seemingly in one world, but on closer inspection, it's actually uncertain if you are still in one place. As I said, schizophrenia and paranoia transition from scenes to the viewer. Terry Gilliam also has an incredible sense of humor, which is inserted into the plot only as a kind of enhancement, treats that many viewers may not even notice, but attentive ones will appreciate. "12 Monkeys" is an excellent film where everything eventually comes together and makes basic sense. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/05/kung-fu-dewey-cox-zkrocena-hora-12-opic.html
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