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12 Monkeys (1995)

Rate: 10
Viewed: 7/05, 7/15

12mon
7/05: 12 Monkeys is an unparalleled sci-fi thriller with strong performances by Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt, and Madeleine Stowe.

The role was outside of Brad Pitt's range, but he rose to the occasion and, as a result, was given the nod for a much-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Terry Gilliam's direction elevates 12 Monkeys to another level. It's also a confusing movie to follow until the fatalistic ending that'll substantially clear up the mystery. Drawn to the story, I can't help but be fascinated by the seemingly jigsaw puzzle, and when the ending comes, there's a spooky disquietude about it.

All in all, 12 Monkeys is one of the all-time great sci-fi pictures and may get a '10' from me the next time I see it.

7/15: A few things I remember the most about 12 Monkeys are: Brad Pitt's performance, the apocalyptic story, and the airport scene.

Brad Pitt was a good, highly bankable actor until 12 Monkeys and Seven rolled around in 1995. Afterwards, the stamp was firmly planted on his status of a truly great actor who was serious about his work. Today, the sentiment still rings true.

What's impressive about 12 Monkeys is the number of red herrings, including Brad Pitt's character, which put everybody on the wrong track. By the time Dr. Kathryn Railly realizes the true connection by seeing a newspaper picture of the red-haired guy, the film is transformed into something wonderful in a spooky manner while setting up the fateful shootout at the airport.

As the fatalistic event happens, it's interesting James Cole was shot dead for a minor crime when he was actually trying to save the world. The other, which can be safely dismissed because it had already happened, is that Cole might have hinted the idea to Jeffrey Goines of spreading a deadly virus worldwide to wipe out mankind.

In the meantime, one of the best parts is Railly starting out as an unbeliever because she has all the experience of dealing with mental patients. When she puts the evidence together and starts connecting the dots, she finally sees the truth through James Cole. It's a remarkable cinematic transformation for Madeleine Stowe because the audience already knows while she doesn't.

James Cole is an intriguing character because he's often disorientated by drugs and time travel, being in different periods of time while dealing with distorted memories. Yet he's recruited for the mission because of his mental fortitude and ability to fight through adversity. Hence, it's unfair to say James Cole didn't succeed.

The best part is the Möbius strip effect when all of the characters converge to a single event that will clarify everything, thus enhancing the film's replayability value. I say this because the first time I saw the movie at the theatre in 1995, it didn't make a lot of sense. The more times I watch the film, the more impressed I am by the complex structure of storytelling.

I will hate it if people fail to mention how marvelous Bruce Willis is. It's one of fewest movies when he's great. In fact, from IMDb: "Terry Gilliam gave Bruce Willis a list of 'Willis acting clichés' not to be used during the film." It's a smart move on his part to elminate the actor's "been-there, done-that" schtick. Bruce Willis' co-star Madeleine Stowe is excellent as she was in The Last of the Mohicans. By the way, I consider 12 Monkeys a Philadelphia, not Baltimore, picture with shots of Eastern State Penitentiary, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, City Hall, Met Theatre, Wanamaker's Department Store, and so on.

All in all, 12 Monkeys is one of the finest sci-fi pictures ever made, solidifying Terry Gilliam's reputation as a master director.