Gilliam's view of Madness

Rating: 8/10 (2 May 2002)

Pros: Directing, sets, cinematography.
Cons: Muddled, very confusing, feels too close to Brazil.
Terry Gilliam's new film is about a virus which will wipe out the people on earth and a man sent from the future to save us all. This reads like Terminator 2: Judgement day but this movie is far from it. First of all, Bruce Willis is human, and second of all, when he time-travels, things don't go smootly as the terminator. Willis keeps us guessing whether his character is really from the future or one of those people you meet at the streets proclaiming the end of the world. Brad pitt plays a animal right activists whose character is basically limited to incoherent babbling and Madeline Stowe plays a psychaitrist who is a kindred spirit to Sam Lowry. Gilliam uses bookend technique to begin and end the film and this provides for two very ingenious twists. Much better than the fisher king and Baron Munchausen, Gilliam would later fall from grace with Fear and Loathing but that's another review.
Premise: Willis is sent to save the world from a deadly virus.
Twelve monkeys was nominated for two Academy awards.
Grade: 8/10 (Gilliam is back on track).