Review: 12 Monkeys

Inspired by the 1962 short film entitled, La Jetee (The Runway), 12 Monkeys is a well-constructed, intelligent feature with both a bright basis and an emotional-gratifying climax. 12 Monkeys blends elements of drama, action, science-fiction, dark comedy and love all together to create a puzzle with many grandiose components whose effects are idyllic. Some claim that this movie is a dizzying mess that is difficult to classify as a film; however, 12 Monkeys is a perplexing joyride that keeps you paying attention, working your brain, and sitting on the edge of your seat.

The year is 2035. The United States has fallen into a post-industrial depression and depletion stage. In 1997, five billion people died from a virus, and the 1% of the entire Earth’s population who survived, fled underground to avoid the plague. While the humans fled, the viral-immune animals seized the above-ground world. Now, the remaining scientists of the underground Earth continually send “volunteers” to the surface to collect observations, research, and any living organisms that could possibly lead to finding a cure for the malignant virus. The best observers are launched back into time to help lead them to the origin of the deadly virus, which will then, in turn, help them to preserve the nature of the present world.

Bruce Willis finally escapes his cliché John McClain character here by playing James Cole, one of the men who is chosen to be sent back in time to help save the world. The character of Cole becomes incapable of deciphering between his own sanity and madness, his own sense of reality and fantasy, and his own ability to distinguish what is the past and what is the present. His scary and loony character is sometimes also seen as being heartfelt, making for an excellent lead played by an excellent actor. Brad Pitt is also exceptional is his supporting role as the crazy man, Jeffrey Gomes. His lazy-eyed manic character, with a John Henson skunk spot and all, is well-played and was well-deserving of the 1995 Oscar nomination he received.

Article Author: Brandon Valentine

Brandon Valentine is a film critic from Hershey, PA. Aside from possessing the last name “Valentine” and living in “the Sweetest Place on Earth,” Brandon was also born on Valentine’s Day. That’s right, a Valentine born on Valentine’s Day. …

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