Psychotic and Captivating

Rating: 9/10 (19 June 2011)

Twelve Monkeys was pretty good. Obviously, there are some inconclusive plot holes and not everything adds up. But, to be honest, I was much too distracted by the fantastic acting and captivating storyline to be meticulous with details. The concept, while typical (life after people, apocalyptic scenarios, etc.) is really intriguing. This is what contributes to its overall appealthe fact that something so ordinary can be so fantastic.
Now, I'm not a fan of Brad Pittat all. I mean, don't get me wrong, he's rather attractive and a millionairebut I find his acting performances pretty terrible. However, in this moviehe was just phenomenal. I mean, just fantastic. I honestly believed that he was a raving, rambling lunatic and thought he deserved to be locked in an asylum. The best part about his character overall is the simple fact that he is nothing more than a distractiona distraction to James, the future, and to the audience. By being such an attention seeker, we are naturally drawn to him, listening to his nonsensical words and watching his crazed behavior. Especially when Jeffery was placed next to James; a dismal, catatonic character whom is the epitome of psychotic, it's much easier for the audience to be entertained by Jeffery then be bored by James. Not to mention, he's a distraction from the entire virus conspiracy. We are so quick to assume it's the radical group of the Twelve Monkeys that we don't even stop to consider the others who have access to those other bacteria specimens could have ulterior motives.
The ending was probably the most frustrating moment for me. It was one of those endings that had to happen. It wouldn't make sense if James and Catherine jumped right on a plane, and spent the remainder of their days sipping margaritas on a beach in Key West. In fact, it would've been a waste of two and a half hours. However, you get so invested in these characters, and their strange story that you want to see them succeed. The most painful piece of the entire movie is that at the end, we're left to ponder the idea that this will keep repeating itself over and over, without any hope of anything changing. You can't change the pastor, at least that's what we, the audience, need to believe.