Terry Gilliam flourishes an exhilarating vision, and Twelve Monkeys powerfully demonstrates it

Rating: 9/10 (26 December 2016)

Director Terry Gilliam is a man with a vision that many could only describe as one-of-a-kind, if visceral. If he's proved anything over his previous efforts, with 'Brazil' being his magnum opus, it is that he knows how to exceed in potently building up a dazzling visual heft while carrying on a solid narrative. Gilliam effectively accomplishes this feat in this dystopian science-fiction thriller, and the best part is how well he manages to operate on a script that is not only intelligent but feels vastly original. Though it is clear Terry Gilliam borrows a few elements from other entries in the genre, his execution still feels fresh. And with the charismatic performances by the lead actor Bruce Willis, supporting actress Madeline Stowe, and Brad Pitt is arguably his most idiosyncratic role of his career. This film is set 2035 when a deadly virus has devastated nearly all of the human race and animals have dominated the Earth. As a result, this disaster has force mankind to live underground. Prisoner James Cole (played by Bruce Willis) is sent back to 1990 in efforts to hunt down an evil group known as the Twelve Monkeys who are believed to the masterminds behind the pandemic that is set spread worldwide in 1996. When he is unexpectedly thrown in a mental institute by Dr. Kathryn Railly (played by Madeleine Stowe), he crosses paths with a mentally unstable Jeffrey Goines (played by Brad Pitt) who appears to have a key to stopping the virus.
Terry Gilliam is without a doubt deeply ambitious when it comes to breathing life to his unique vision. From his steampunk-like production design (particularly in the underground world), to the engrossing screenplay by Chris Marker, to the white-knuckle storytelling; this film fulfills just nearly everything, if not everything to excel as an electrifying science-fiction experience. This all begins with a dark premise of a deadly pandemic that places mankind on the doomsday agenda, and instead of driving for the plot into an action-heavy territory, Terry Gilliam places time travel in the mix. Although supplementing time travel in plots is a daunting task often resulting an overwhelming number of plot threads throwing the story in a convoluted romp. Fortunately, Gilliam engineers the plot in a way that is complex, yet solidly makes sense. Though the story occasionally slips into some questionable areas mostly during the second act, Gilliam more than knows how to keep things moving. Following Bruce Willis and Madeleine Stowe on the run after the evil doers who threaten the future of mankind, and throughout the picture we are hit nearly non-stop twists and turns including James Cole's nightmarish hallucinations to leave us guessing who's good and who's evil, and what is real and what is not real. When the equation is made up, the film brilliantly achieves the thrills audience deserve.
When thinking of Bruce Willis, the first role that may come to your head is when he was facing against the twelve German terrorists in the Nakatomi Plaza as John McClane in 'Die Hard'. This film marks an unique role of him as he carries the lead role of James Cole with astounding charisma and humanity. Yes, while it is less light-heart role than John McClane but by the end, it is safe to say that he delivers the role with clear ambition. Supporting along his side Madeleine Stowe as the psychiatrist Kathryn Railly who becomes a helping hand after realizing his out-of-whack claims of the threat of mankind on the horizon become dangerously true as the two stroll on. Like Willis, Stowe gracefully accomplishes a solid performance to make for an engaging character. Each time these two are on screen together, it is almost instantly enthralling. There is almost no doubt however, that the star who greatly stands out above them is Brad Pitt as the mentally rocky patient Jeffrey Goines who pops in and out of the story as a key character of the diabolical plot. Pitt cashes a manic vibe as the mentally unstable patient who displays an unusual behavior that strolls between the line of comedic and eyebrow-raising insanity. And Pitt spears the role through his jittery dialogue and bombastic demeanor. What results is a fascinating character that swipes your attention each time he appears on screen.
Twelve Monkeys is an exhilarating dystopian, science-fiction thrill ride polished by the outstanding vision of director Terry Gilliam. And for lovers of the science-fiction genre, it is a film that expands upon the boundaries of the dystopian subgenre. By the end, it feels like classic, if not a souring masterpiece.