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Product Description
The year is 2035 and humankind subsists in a desolate netherworld following an airborne viral holocaust. Desperate scientists time-shuttle a convict james cole to the past in hopes of discovering a means of saving the future. When cole arrives in 1996 hes deemed mad and placed in an asylum. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 05/23/2006 Starring: Bruce Willis Run time: 130 minutes Rating: R
Inspired by Chris Marker's acclaimed short film La JetšŠe (which is included on the DVD Short 2: Dreams), 12 Monkeys combines intricate, intelligent storytelling with the uniquely imaginative vision of director Terry Gilliam. The story opens in the wintry wasteland of the year 2035, where a virulent plague has forced humans to live in a squalid, oppressively regimented underground. Bruce Willis plays a societal outcast who is given the opportunity to erase his criminal record by "volunteering" to time-travel into the past to obtain a pure sample of the deadly virus that will help future scientists to develop a cure. But in bouncing from 1918 to the early and mid-1990s, he undergoes an ordeal that forces him to question his own perceptions of reality. Caught between the dangers of the past and the devastation of the future, he encounters a psychiatrist (Madeleine Stowe) who is initially convinced he's insane, and a wacky mental patient (Brad Pitt in a twitchy Oscar-nominated role) with links to a radical group that may have unleashed the deadly virus. Equal parts mystery, tragedy, psychological thriller, and apocalyptic drama, 12 Monkeys ranks as one of the best science fiction films of the '90s, boosted by Gilliam's visual ingenuity and one of the finest performances of Willis's career. --Jeff Shannon
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Customer Reviews: - Incomplete Greatness
This is the one of the very few that I will watch over and over again even though it is just so unfulfilling, does not live up to its promises, but produces such outstanding goods in the process, that the disappointment can be alleviated in knowing that not everything can be perfect... but some things do come close.
12 Monkeys is probably Terry Gilliam's most mainstream film to date and certainly his easiest to watch, but that does not make it any the less twisty, arty, heady or off-the-beaten track, 12 Monkeys is absolutely all of that, and more power to it for being just that, with an A list cast of Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, the question we are all left asking in the end is... why does Troy or Armageddon get all the best special effects? Not that 12 Monkeys lacks anything in terms of production values, or that we hate CGI in every movie we see, the stunning set pieces are jaw dropping, it never really does give us a kicker of an ending or the kind of budget finale that all its window dressing emanates, and even the more heady window dressing ending does not really stimulate the brain cells beyond saying - wow, amazing art, 12 Monkeys is that, but cloaked somewhat in a premise about the end of the world, the future, time travel, corporations, viruses, the Army of the 12 Monkeys, that is all very much worth seeing, but investing your time in answers turns out to be a big kettle of fish in the final few minutes. Not that it is a bad ending... just not what this kind of film really deserved, not that we mind things ending or a high or a low, but at least answering the questions poised would have added better closure to a great science-fiction masterpiece....more info - A POWERFUL, AND TRAGIC SCI-FI CLASSIC
This is my second favorite Gilliam masterpiece ( BRAZIL being only slightly better- and I do not blame anyone for disagreeing with me... ). Brad Pitt as a far-from-sane, eco-terrorist, and Bruce Willis as a hapless prisoner, and time-travelling, would-be savior of the future are intensely believable ( as is the marvelous Madeleine Stowe ) in one of the truly great apocalyptic sci-fi movies ever made. It's also a film that is full of subtle twists, and nuances that are both thrilling, tragic, and thought-provoking....more info - Top sci-fi
This film has the potential of becoming a classic. A convict is sent back in time to find out about the virus that eliminated the majority of mankind. Bruce Willis offers as a magnificent perfomance while tyhe directing and photography are great too. The plot has enough twists and an unexpecting ending.
All in all a film that you will enjoy....more info - All Time Favorite
I remembered watching this movie in the theatre when I was in high school. It has remained my favorite of all time. ...more info - The Army of The 12 Monkey's Is Coming...Be Prepared
Terry Gilliam (Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) takes a typical "time travel" theory and twists it into one heck of a psychological thriller. The premise of the movie is rather interesting (if you're into sci-fi). Cole (Bruce Willis) is in the future (30 or so years?) in a world where only 1% of the population lives - all underground. He's imprisoned for random acts of violence we're slightly hinted towards in a dark, gloomy, odd underground Philadelphia prison. He is hand picked by the top scientists of the underground world to travel back in time to 1996 to gather information on the super-virus that was released in December 1996 by the army of the 12 Monkeys. Unfortunately he is sent back to 1990 Baltimore and finds himself put into a mental institution because, lets be honest, anybody that randomly shows up and is going on about collecting information about the virus that wipes out 5 billion people is obviously going to be thought to be a little nuts. At the institution he runs into Jeffrey (Brad Pitt) who is very insane (Oscar-nominated role in this movie) and "befriends" Cole as eventually helps him escape. In the process, Cole's psychiatrist Kathryn (Madeleine Stowe) feels an odd connection with him on a more spiritual level. She is convinced she knows him from somewhere. To speed it up, he goes back to the future and then goes BACK to 1996...there the story goes on...
All throughout, the movie takes Cole and twists his (and your) mind and starts to make him (and you) doubt if his "time-travel" experiences have actually happened...or was he just really insane. The movie is pretty straight forward in making it clear that he did go back in time, but you really go "or did he?" the whole time. It is really cool how everyone plays together and ties together. It twists your mind a lot, and you'll be biting your nails the whole time trying to figure out what will happen. The whole "dream" sequence that is seen throughout finally comes together at the end and its a CLASSIC "Wow...." scene. I have to say it was the coolest twist on modern sci-fi mind thrillers to date.
If you've seen the movie The Prestige, you'll see some similarities...some.
I'm Will Black, and thats my review of 12 Monkeys.
5/5 Stars...more info - Brad Pitt's Best Effort To Date....
This was a great and often scary film. Much better that I expected. Brad Pitt delivers his best performance Since "Meet Joe Black". Very intense....and very strange....but great none the less. Give it a look...You won't be sorry. 4 Stars....more info - You call this a movie?!?!?!
Sorry guys, but this movie(?) was an absolute bore. Both Willis and Stowe have made some good movies, both before and after this piece of crap, but c'mon!!! I've seen better acting during high school plays. This ludicrous film should be avoided at all costs unless you're suffering from insonmia and need something to put you out for the night. 12 Monkeys. One can't help but wonder if that's the name of the movie, or if that's who wrote the script....more info - 12 monkeys are here
I've loved this movie since highschool and was so happy to find it without having to buy Mercury Rising or some other bad movie along with it. Why do they always package a bad movie with a really good one?? Anyways, it came in tip top shape and was watched the same....more info - Simply the best version you can get
This is of course one of the best films ever made, and this is the best version you can get of that film, so get it :)
+ you gotta watch the bonus material "The Hamster Factor" great stuff....more info - the best work of three stars
Okay, you all know this movie. You all know the story. And you all know how bizarre the film storyboards.
A man time travels between insane asylum, past, and future...His sole purpose is to be the pawn used by a future society determined to allow a disease to descimate the planet, and ensure their power in the future.As with Gillam's film Brazil (brilliant), it is a statement about the rigid and inflexable structures of society.
This is, in my opinion, the best performance of three major stars.
Bruce Willis-his first `bald' movie (ah...the hairline to come!) I am a huge Bruce fan. But this is really one of the best performances he has ever done. His emotions of confusion are honest. My honest opinion is this was better than any of his movies. He UNDERPLAYS his character perfectly.
Terry Gillam director-Better than Brazil, which I thought was a brilliant film. His detail of time travel and lunacy is palatable. It FEELS real. His characters (like most of his films) are bombastic beyond real. I only wish he had been able to finish his version of Man Of La Mancha...
Brad Pitt-This is the best I have ever seen of this pretty boy. His quirky near tourettes mannerisms are fantastic. Right down to the finger flicking/facial contortion and non-sequeteur dialogue. Way better than Fight Club. This is a personae he never played again. Too bad. He plays a fantastic lunatic better than he plays a spy, a hit man, or a romantic lead.
I do not expect this to get votes. I just wanted to put in my 2 cents....more info - Brad was the only hilight
I thought I was going to be watching a very special movie based on all of the hype and reviews. I wasn't looking for a Die Hard movie and had no real expectations beyond what I mentioned. I was really disappointed with how disjointed it was and to be quite honest, the lousy acting. The only real joy was Brad Pitt. I don't normally consider myself a Pitt fan, and, I didn't realize he was actually in it. He stands out in this move where I think Bruce essentially mailed it in....more info - A great, fun, intelligent film I highly reccomend.
I very bleak but fun look at a dystopian future. A killer virus. Surreal story line and great actors like Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt. What's not to like?...more info - Fantastic
I really liked the movie. One of the best sci-fi movies I have seen. But I have a question. When Madeleine Stowe calls up the number that Bruce Willis is supposed to call, and she reaches a carpet cleaning company she is overjoyed thinking that the virus plague is a hoax after all. She nevertheless leaves a message in the voice mail of that number and recounts it to Bruce Willis who of course has heard it before and repeats the message verbatim even before Stowe could finish telling him. The whole point of the film is that Bruce Willis is reliving the past exactly as it had happened, with him as one of the main protagonist. So what actually happened in 1996? Did Stowe call up the carpet cleaning company? Did she leave a message? If she did and repeated that to Willis did Willis know beforehand what her message was? If he knew, then how did he know? He was NOT time travelling THEN. He was just a little boy of 8 years. And if it was not Willis (Cole) in 1996 who Stowe (Railly) met, then who was it? Because Cole was 8 years old in 1996. Can anybody throw any light?...more info - 12 Monkeys HD DVD
DVD won't play even in my Sony HD DVD player. Am told that my brand new player needs an update. Not worth my time. Went with Blu Ray. LG...more info - An Accurate Yet surreal account of the future
Twelve Monkeys is an excellent film by Terry Gilliam. It takes place in a future world which mirrors our current world; however, a flu virus has destroyed a majority of the population of the world. Bruce Willis portrays a prisoner who volunteers for an experiment involving time travel-- his mission: to discover where the flu virus was first released. Each time he enters the past using an insane assylum as a porthole, a horrifying chain of events occurs. This is a visually stunning and edgy film. The performances by all of the actors -- Bruce Willis, Madelaine Stowe, and Brad Pit-- offers a grim yet real glimpse into the reality of a future pandemic. I would definately suggest this film to anyone who enjoys good art direction, surrealistic sci fi, and great acting. Ligeia...more info - time travel at its near best
This film takes place in a world where as knowledge knows it, the non-human animals have taken over the world, as you watch the film you will realize this, and many other great twists of the film. It was a very great film with some great themes of time travel, such as changing the past will alter the future, and sometimes it is who you least expect it. I don't wish to ruin the film for those who haven't seen it so I leave it off here...more info - A great film, and what a "reimagining" should be...
This is one of Gilliam's best films, and one of his most commercially successful. It's one of the few films I really liked in the 1990's, as it is (as with most of Gilliam's work) a true work of art and something that is totally Gilliamish. It is a sad, haunting, strange work. One of the reasons this film works so well is that the studio left Gilliam alone and let him get on with it. The performances by Bruce Willis, Madeline Stowe, and Brad Pitt are all excellent. Willis is exceptionally good, showing that he can actually act if working with a great director like Gilliam. Stowe brings a tender, quiet quality to her role, and Pitt is great as a borderline insane guy. Some of his dialogue is a bit obvious, but overall it doesn't detract too much from the film. This is a pseudo-remake of Chris Marker's remarkable La Jetee, but Gilliams does it justice. La Jetee is a masterpiece, but then, so is this film. Gilliam really does "reimagine" it, bringing his own distinct voice to the material, and expounding on Marker's masterpiece. Marker recently said he felt this film was wonderful because Gilliam has such a rich imagination (which he does). The ending is quite sad, but it works very well, and kudos to the studio and Gilliam for keeping it in. I always admired Gilliam's film, even his misunderstood Tideland. I think he's one of the great directors. This is one of his best films.... ...more info - Brad Pitt Steals the Show
Bruce Willis (Die Hard, Sixth Sense) stars as a convict from the near future, where everyone lives underground due to a viral apocalypse that killed 90% of the earth's population. Somehow time travel was invented (this is the hardest part of the story to buy into, since it is only 30 years or so into the future...) so they send the convicts back in time to learn the origin of the virus and get a sample, with the goal of finding a vaccination.
In his first journey into the past, Willis meets Madeline Stowe, a psychiatrist who is an intrinsic part of Willis's destiny, and Brad Pitt, a fellow patient who is also woven into the fabric of Willis's life. Pitt's incredible acting is enough to make this DVD a "must own" for any science fiction collection.
12 Monkeys is a quirky science fiction film that is above average in almost every way. The herky-jerky, tilted camera angles preferred by director Terry Gilliam take some getting used to, and some of the minor characters (especially Stowe's older psychiatric colleague) are REALLY ANNOYING. These minor details make it a 4 star rather than a 5 star movie in my opinion, but 12 Monkeys is still a unique and very interesting film....more info - Cinematic satisfaction
The variety within this action-packed, futuristic thriller is loaded with ever changing elements that will keep you glued to the screen. After your stomach's in knots, the separate goals eventually unite in a race against time that will pull you into the action. Packed with surprises and intellectual stimulation, this film is not predictable. The elements will leave you satisfied and the shockingly realistic possibilities revealed will leave you thinking. Superb acting, writing, directing and production only add to the exciting cinematic ride. Well worth the watch....more info - Decent
I liked the movie well enough. I have a special weakness for time travel stories. Anytime a movie makes you guess incorrectly while you're trying to figure the mysteries out leaves me entertained. I hadn't realize Brad Pitt was in the movie when I bought it, but he gave quite a good performance. And I'm finding that I like Bruce Willis as an actor more than I realized (though he is admittedly playing kind of the same role in most of his movies).
Either way, it was fun to watch and I will certainly watch it over again!...more info - AWESOME
I just replied to the reviewer who posted the review about sending a "moron" to do the job. Below is the comment I posted to his review. Oh, and 12 Monkeys was AWESOME! Must See!!
<>...more info - Incomplete greatness
This is the one of the very few that I will watch over and over again even though it is just so unfulfilling, does not live up to its promises, but produces such outstanding goods in the process, that the disappointment can be alleviated in knowing that not everything can be perfect... but some things do come close.
12 Monkeys is probably Terry Gilliam's most mainstream film to date and certainly his easiest to watch, but that does not make it any the less twisty, arty, heady or off-the-beaten track, 12 Monkeys is absolutely all of that, and more power to it for being just that, with an A list cast of Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, the question we are all left asking in the end is... why does Troy or Armageddon get all the best special effects? Not that 12 Monkeys lacks anything in terms of production values, or that we hate CGI in every movie we see, the stunning set pieces are jaw dropping, it never really does give us a kicker of an ending or the kind of budget finale that all its window dressing emanates, and even the more heady window dressing ending does not really stimulate the brain cells beyond saying - wow, amazing art, 12 Monkeys is that, but cloaked somewhat in a premise about the end of the world, the future, time travel, corporations, viruses, the Army of the 12 Monkeys, that is all very much worth seeing, but investing your time in answers turns out to be a big kettle of fish in the final few minutes. Not that it is a bad ending... just not what this kind of film really deserved, not that we mind things ending or a high or a low, but at least answering the questions poised would have added better closure to a great science-fiction masterpiece. ...more info
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