Movie #95 - 12 Monkeys

"The future is history."

I didn't get to see this movie until 2001 and it still is one of those films that I enjoy seeing parts of when it gets shown on television. Director Terry Gilliam has done a tremendous job on this film and his resume preceding 12 Monkeys includes classics as Brazil, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and the Fisher King.

The movie is dark and morbid - but you get captivated by the concept of the world ending. The concept has been done countless of times, especially for summer blockbusters, but 12 Monkeys definitely does not fall into that category.

The screenplay is very clever and is unique as it takes you back and forth following Bruce Willis' character James Cole. We are treated to a solid supporting role performance by Brad Pitt - who got nominated for an Oscar for this film in 1996. It is also refreshing to see Pitt returning to working on more serious films with the Curious Case of Benjamin Button - as his last ten years of movies have been somewhat forgettable in terms of critical acclaim.

This movie also has some solid cameo performances by Christopher Plummer and David Morse (who fits in well as a crazy, psychotic, bio-terrorist). However, the one detractor of this film is the poor performance of Madeleine Stowe. I was somewhat confused looking back at Stowe's casting - previous to this film, her best known role was for Unlawful Entry. Unfortunately, Stowe's character brings this film back down in terms of high ranking science fiction thrillers, as Stowe rides the coattails of both Pitt and Willis.

In the end, this movie is highly recommended... a little confusing, but a great science fiction movie from the mid-90's era of films.