Solid

Rating: 8/10 (30 January 2019)

One of the better sci-fi movies you've probably never heard of, 12 monkeys is a familiar concept (travel back in time to save the world) realized in a wholly original way. From start to finish the film looks sinister, with the post apocalyptic future reminding you more of a gritty, low budget, indy movie, and the past maintianing that atmosphere, tho turned down from a 9 to about a 7. Bruce Willis is Bruce Willis. The man has a natural charisma that helps him sell any role hes in without having to stray from his natural behavior too much, and this film is no different. The real highlight of this film is Brad Pitt and his complete transformation into a total nut job, which is very convincing. I suspect method acting with how pinpoint his mannerisms and speech patterns are, awesome job on his part. As far as the story goes, the majority of the film is nothing to amazing, it gets you from act to act keeping you interested but never doing anything to really peak your interest or suck you in further. However once Madeline Stowe's character has her arc I would say is where the film really picks up, and the last half hour or so are full of twists and turns that keep you glued to the screen untill the climax and the films eventual conclusion. From a technical aspect, I have no issues really. Film looks good, directed well, sounds good, all the little things that are overlooked by your average movie viewer. Replay value is moderate I would say, just because there are sci-fi movies out there that are much more "fun" so I'm thinking this movie gets lost in the rotation. Overall 12 monkeys is a solid watch, keeping you interested until its enthralling last 30 min, but the fact that it is much more a drama with a sci-fi setting will ultimatley cause it to remain largely on the shelf. 8.2/10