provocative premise, but unevenly executed

Rating: 5/10 (26 November 2000)

unlike the majority of posters here (i won't read all 100+), i am not so enthusiastic about this film. i saw it for the first time two weeks ago, and i think i would have liked it more if i had not read the book first (i know that 12 monkeys was based on "la jetee", and i think that the novelization of 12 monkeys actually followed its theatrical release). the book was well done and very even in its depiction of this doomed world and its characters, and much better at explaining what actually happens concerning the end of the world as we know it. however, the movie was less so. yes, the cinematography was good, as well as the sets and acting. but i wondered if gilliam was trying for another "brazil". at times i didn't know if it was supposed to be a drama or a comedy (e.g. the scenes featuring the scientists from the future, as well as others). this is a situation where the book is better than the movie (as is often the case in my experience). i recommend reading the book as a way to get more out of the movie.