12 Monkeys: a surrealistic time traveling sci-fi masterpiece

I like movies a lot; I can’t think of much more I’d rather do in my free time than see a good film. I enjoy various genres and I like to look for creative movies that are quite different. That is what led me to Terry Gilliman, this former Python has became an incredible director with his bizarre fantasies and dream like world. I have seen Brazil and enjoyed its creative plot and atmosphere; I have heard good things about 12 Monkeys and thought it sounded good. I usually do enjoy time traveling alternate universe type films so I knew I needed to see it. It was pretty amazing am glad I could see it.

It is the future and it is devastated with a terrible disease, 99% of the population died and humans are forced to live underground. But there is still a chance to survive, scientists have found time travel and they send James Cole to find clues to the virus. He ends up in 1990, seven years before the virus killed the humans. He winds up in a mental institution where he meets Jeffery Goines as well as his psychiatrist Kathryn Railly. He can’t go anywhere in his position so they pull him back to the future where they send him to the correct destination, 1996. While there he uses Kathryn to help him figure out clues as to how the virus started unfortunately on clue leads to another until they trace it to Jeffery.

The plot is very inventive and Terry Gilliman handles it perfectly. It is surrealistic but looks normal enough for most people. The plot is confusing and makes little sense but it is done in a very intriguing way and we never seem to know the difference. The film is loaded with little details and the film almost appears to be a mystery. However 12 Monkeys could fall into about every genre you could think of. It works as a psychological drama Sci-Fi for the most part but also traces comedy, mystery, and thriller to its credit. Like such films as Donnie Dark it is filled with excellent ideas that are executed as good as you could hope for.

Although the cast is not extensive and filled with actors, it primarily focuses on three main ones. Bruce Willis plays James Cole and does quite well. Some have argued that he is boring but I thought he was great. His emotion was believable and his character felt realistic and easy to identify with. Madeline Stowe is the psychiatrist and is also excellent. Her character is very human and she trusts James but wants him to admit he is crazy. Her chemistry with Bruce Willis is exceptionally good and they both do a good job of conveying feelings on screen. Finally Brad Pitt gives a fine performance as an eccentric person with some crazy ideas. His character reminded me of Tyler Durden from Fight Club as they both have revolutionary ideas to them that others would find crazy. His scenes in the mental hospital are impressive but unfortunately he is slightly underused. With those three actors carrying the story it all flows together nicely and the small supporting cast backs them up nicely.

This film packs quite a punch; it is fascinating and makes you want to keep watching. The atmosphere is extraordinarily bleak and you get a good sense of dread and how you should cherish each moment you spend. The plot is ultimately what makes the film work along with the acting. It is clever and some bits of satire are nicely inserted on how were all going to kill ourselves. It is quite thought provoking and really makes you think about the world we live in and the future. The ending is also very interestingly conceived, the only problem with it is that no one can really tell what happened. Did Cole save the world or is the past impossible to change? It makes you question reality in the same ways Donnie Darko made people.

In the end it is a brilliant surrealistic fantasy about a doomed world and the attempts to save it. The time travel aspect was interesting and was handled intelligently and should please sci-fi buffs. All of the creative aspects and issues this film brings up are resolved and we are shown how the split second decisions we make today could have a major effect in life. It is an intelligent film that is nicely directed and cleverly wrote. The plot twists aren’t so sudden but this film is very exciting. This film is not for everybody, its surrealistic feel and cross genre changing and bleak tone and mood is enough to put off most causal film goers. However if your in the mood for something a little different and want your mind blown this is the film for you. Also if you enjoyed this then go see Donnie Darko, both are similar and both are great (although I prefer Donnie Darko), this is a sci-fi masterpiece and it should not be missed.

5 stars

Cast

Bruce Willis- James Cole
Madeline Stowe- Kathryn Railly
Brad Pitt- Jeffery Goines