A Straightforward Time-Travel Film (If Such A Thing Exists)

Rating: 9/10 (12 March 2017)

Many time-travel films almost require viewers to hold a degree in quantum physics or be able wrap their brains around complicated concepts to understand the plot. Fortunately, "12 Monkeys" goes a different direction: it's a mind-bending, time-travel adventure that is both intellectually stimulating yet also easy enough to understand even for a casual viewer.
The basic plot of the film focuses on James Cole (Bruce Willis), a prisoner from "the future" (1997; where all surviving humans now live underground due to an apocalyptic event), who is sent back in time to try and gather information to prevent the catastrophe. While skipping through time, Cole meets two people, Dr. Railly (Madeleine Stowe) and mental patient Jeffrey Goines (Brad Pitt), who ultimately prove crucial to his mission of saving humanity from an underground existence.
The brilliance of this film is that while most time-travel plots are either overwhelming or overly simplistic, director Terry Gilliam finds the perfect mix here. Upon completion of viewing, I was quite certain that I understood what had just transpired (a feat never to be overlooked when dealing with time-travel). Only after some auxiliary study did I begin to consider some alternate interpretations, none of which cheapen that original reaction in any way.
The acting is also solid, with Willis progressing the Cole character very nicely (from completely lost--like the viewers--to informed and ready for action), Pitt turning in a good show as the manic Goines, and Stowe portraying the every-person who, like viewers, must be convinced that all of this is really happening.
I can recommend "12 Monkeys" to any and all fans of science fiction, mystery, suspense, and action films for its ability to strike the right balance between mind-stimulating material and overall comprehension (i.e. it doesn't let itself get bogged down in ideology or technicalities). Plus, I have found it to be a unique experience in that it can easily be viewed multiple times, as little tidbits can/will be noticed each time through.