 "12 monkeys, Brad pitt and more" | 2010-05-17 |
| - Reviewed By Wil's philosophy from north america |
| engrossing in many respects - time travel, big brother, end of the world as we know it, bruce willis and mr pitt at his very very best. 6 stars if poss! |
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| "The Crown Jewel Of Time Travel Films" | 2010-05-11 |
| - Reviewed By K-Dawg from Fergus Falls, MN |
Currently, the topic of "time travel" is all the rage these days due to the incredible mind of JJ Abrams and a little show (you may have heard of it) called LOST. However, unless you hold a degree in quantum physics and can wrap your head around such concepts as Schrodinger's Cat or the Many-Worlds theory, the concepts that LOST throws around may be a bit overwhelming and a little frustrating. Fortunately, "12 Monkeys" provides what LOST cannot: a mind-bending time-travel plot that is both intellectually stimulating, yet easy enough to understand if one just pays close attention.
The basic plot of the film centers on James Cole (Bruce Willis), a prisoner from "the future" (1997; where all surviving humans now live underground due to an apocalyptic event), who is sent back in time to try and gather information to prevent the catastrophe. While skipping through time, Cole meets two people, Dr. Railly (Madeleine Stowe) and mental patient Jeffrey Goines (Brad Pitt), who ultimately prove crucial to his mission of saving humanity from an underground existence.
The brilliance of this film is that, although most time-travel plots are either overwhelming (LOST) or too simple (think Star Trek episodes), director Terry Gilliam manages to find the perfect mix. Upon completion of viewing, I was quite certain that I understood what had just transpired (a feat never to be overlooked when dealing with time-travel). Only after some auxiliary study did I begin to consider some alternate interpretations, none of which cheapen that original reaction in any way.
The acting is also very solid, with Willis progressing the Cole character very nicely (from completely lost--like the viewers--to informed and ready for action), Pitt turning in a good show as the manic Goines, and Stowe portraying the "straight gal" who, like our minds, must be convinced that all of this is really happening.
Thus, I would recommend "12 Monkeys" to any and all fans of science fiction, mystery, suspense, and action films for its ability to strike the right balance between mind-stimulating material and utter confusion. Plus, it is a film that can easily be viewed multiple times, as little tidbits can be picked up each time through. |
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| "Time travel done right" | 2010-05-10 |
| - Reviewed By zck7592 |
Over the years, film producers and directors have tried to explain/use time travel in films. J.J. Abrams, creater of "Lost","Fringe" and the new reboot of "Star Trek" has put time travel in these three projects and has done a great job. Time-travel can be very complex and confusing but if done right it can make for a great film.
"12 Monkeys" is about convict James Cole (Bruce Willis) who is sent back in time to get information on a deadly virus that wiped out the majority of the human population. When sent back, he is sent back to far in time and ends up in a mental institution where he meets Dr. Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe) and Jeffery Goines (Brad Pitt). While at the mental institution, Cole tells Dr. Railly that he is from the future and about The 12 monkeys. She like everyone else thinks he is "nuts". Cole eventually goes back to the present day.
Realizing that Cole was sent back in time to early, his supervisers sent him back again, this time to the correct year. Now, in the correct year, Cole once again runs into Dr. Railly and Jeffery Goines who is the leader/founder of the 12 monkeys. Dr. Railly remembers him, and realizes after seeing the WWI bullet in his leg that he is indeed from the future and believes him.
This may sound confusing to one, but the film does a great job of explaining things.
If you like a movie about time-travel, Science fiction or a film that makes you think. You will enjoy "12 Monkeys". |
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| "12 Monkeys Rocks!" | 2010-03-27 |
| - Reviewed By Bena Osburn |
| This movie has always been one of my favorites. When I saw it for the first time, from the opening scene, I knew 12 Monkeys was not going to be anything like I thought it would be. The movie darted back & forth from past to present to future in a dizzying manner; then about midway through the movie I had an "AH HAH!" moment when it all made sense! What an imagination. And it was the first time Brad Pitt was almost unrecognizable...by his own choice. The Special Edition version goes into deep detail how Terry Gilliam & crew created 12 Monkeys on a small budget. |
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 "Excellent in All Respects" | 2010-03-21 |
| - Reviewed By Bill R. Moore from Oklahoma, USA |
12 Monkeys is an excellent film that works well in many different areas - science fiction thriller, off-beat love story, semi-noir comedy, etc. -, while superb execution in many general areas pushes it beyond these genres. It thus comes highly recommended not only for fans of these elements but for anyone alive to well-made films.
It quickly becomes clear that director Terry Gilliam made the most of a small budget, not only hiring an impressive talent cadre but also overseeing an ambitious production with large sets, dazzling imagery, and hundreds of extras. His ability to make all the disparate elements coalesce is truly impressive. The sets and special effects are not as flashy as big budget films' but are very creative and extremely well-done. Gilliam's year 2035 is not the usual SF extravaganza but almost daringly bland despite a futuristic sheen; he gives a vivid idea of how society might look if forced underground and in many ways held back but with some technology and intelligence remaining. The cinematography is quite fine throughout, and some of the camera angles are particularly excellent. Paul Buckmaster's score is also up to his usual high standard and used quite effectively.
Perhaps the biggest and most pleasant surprise is that the acting is very solid. I was highly skeptical of Bruce Willis taking the lead role in a film with little action, but he does a very admirable job. His role is full of subtlety, at once intimidating and vulnerable; it was certainly his greatest performance up to this point and a major breakout. Much the same can be said of Brad Pitt; though his role is small - much smaller than the advertising suggests -, it is very different from anything he had done before and quite strong. Some take issue with his performance, but this seems to be more a criticism of his character than of his acting. Madeleine Stowe is also exemplary in the lead female role; her performance is again notably nuanced, incorporating everything from academic authority to panic-stricken ambivalence to disguised bimboism. All the minor roles are also well-done.
The real standout, though, is David and Janet Peoples' script, one of the freshest and most invigorating in recent memory. Inspired by a classic French art film and incorporating many other influences and elements, it welds all into a memorable and original whole. The film is on its most obvious level an SF thriller; exciting, entertaining, and engrossing, it can be appreciated in this sense alone. It certainly has the most interesting spin on the time travel paradox in some time, and its future vision is refreshingly unusual. However, the love element is also important; Willis even says he thinks the film is a love story and may well be right. The execution is far from conventional but not without a certain charm and can be strangely moving. There is also a significant comic element to the film overall; it pokes good-natured fun at some SF conventions; wields a sharp satirical blade at psychiatry, professors, extreme animal rights activists, and others; and has a curious dash of black humor that, in the "trunk" scene at least, even borders on slapstick. Such diversity could easily have been disastrous, but the script's commendable tightness - no doubt helped by Gilliam's strong guiding hand - prevent this. Many films, especially SF thrillers, try to puzzle audiences with plot twists and other tricks only to have it all come together in a devastating ending, but very few succeed so well. The story is told concisely but in a way that keeps us guessing; as in stories by SF great Philip K. Dick, we never quite know what is real and what is not, giving a disarming but pleasing disorientation that draws us in quickly and keeps us interested. The writers deserve special praise for not dumbing-down the story to normally Hollywood standards; this is an intelligent script demanding attention and concentration and that truly rewards repeat viewings. There is also much to provoke thought about a variety of important issues: the definition of sanity, the ethics of science, the rights of animals, authority vs. individualism, etc. Finally, we should be thankful that the Peoples did not take the easy way out with the ending; though ultimately triumphant, it is shot through with tragedy and strongly moving.
The associated documentary is noteworthy enough to attract those who have already seen the film - perhaps even those who already own a prior version. It is easily the best "Making of" I have ever seen. An hour and a half long, it covers every production aspect from initial brainstorming to post-production. Many facets not usually seen - editing, marketing, test screening, etc. - are here in detail. Most fascinating of all is that it has a true behind the scenes feel that is rarely achieved; the principals are unusually open about filming's ups and downs, and their reactions to outside views and pressures are surprisingly candid. The documentary is also a well-made film in itself, entertaining and often funny. It is essential for 12 fans.
All told, anyone looking for a well put together SF film with other attributes - some action, a surprising number of laughs, and even a little romance, plus much to provoke thought - would be hard-pressed to do better than 12.
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| "My Top 20...." | 2010-03-20 |
| - Reviewed By Rosie from PA /USA |
| This movie is in my top 20 of all time. The story is not to be missed & Pitt & Willis give stellar performances |
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