A struggle for human dignity and the human race.

Rating: 7/10 (31 July 2010)

After watching the 12 Monkeys, it is to say that it portrays a central idea of humankind's basic struggle to hold on to human dignity.c struggle to hold on to human dignity.This film is based on a focused theme of would be hero James Cole,portrayed by actor Bruce Willis in the age-old struggle of one against an endless amount of insurmountable odds and conflicts in order to save the world from the would be destruction of life as we know it and most of the human race, if not all. This movie's hero must travel back in time to save the futures along the same lines as in the James Cameron 1994 Terminator movie when John Connor sends a cyborg back into the past from the future. Of course machines are not going to take over, but a virus of unknown origin has eradicated five billion human kind and those who haven't perished must now dwell underground as Earth is once again ran by the animal kingdom. Therefore, the theme is a focus on the plot and most importantly the ending scene. This theme is generally present in most of the film. For instance, in a twist of dramatic irony James Cole finds himself not only at the wrong time in history to find the necessary information on the army of the 12 monkeys needed to produce an antidote for the virus that erases millions from the human race, but placed so far back in history that he is in the middle of World War 1. Additionally, the final airport scene in the movie provides another twist of fate as the trip here is not even about Cole seeking information to cure the virus, but of him following orders from the government. Although the title and main focus of monkey symbolism throughout this movie finds its main depiction with images of the 12 Monkeys animal activist group, the monkey symbolism presents itself quite frequently with references in the course of the film's dialog. This means any object can serve to evoke a new association for movie watchers. Gillian proves this art works. For example, in one of Cole's flashbacks co-patient Jeffery Goines chants, "Monkey! Monkey! No more monkey business!" Additionally, although Goines is the very creator of the 12 Monkeys army, he exclaims that, "I hadn't thought of the 12 monkeys yet" (Gilliam, 1995). It is this type of motif that gives the 12 Monkeys film the unique symbolism of monkeys to bring the mystery flashbacks further together. A sub-theme of symbolism is the "Cassandra Syndrome" that suggests the Earth is not capable of sustaining the ever growing population of humankind and some cataclysmic event must end the problem. Along with the symbolism, the screenwriter uses the time travel paradox to promote the plot of hero. For instance, around the time James takes his third journey he begins to doubt his saneness. He has accepted the fact that he is indeed mad and needs help. James has made the vow that he likes the past, belongs in the past, loves his doctor, and wants to breathe the above ground outside air. However, his psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Railly has extracted a tangible object from the past, witnessed monkey symbolism in action and now believes that he is indeed very sane and on a mission. She insists that he must continue on his quest and she will help him. Just such dramatic irony adds the unexpected mystery of the film. In conclusion, the theme's importance in the film is astronomical. In the same way jelly goes with peanut butter, the theme of this film engages the viewer in the story. Throughout the ages, the greatest storytellers have told the story of the world's demise. Usually one dynamic character fights for the world while keeping the human distinction when it would be so much easier to give in to the conflict. The 12 Monkeys fulfills this art of storytelling by use of its theme. What's more, as the theme conveys all along, the story holds its final surprise until the ending scene when the scientist from the future is the passenger sitting next to the bio-terrorist, and so the theme goes on. Is the "Cassandra Syndrome" true, will James Cole continue to travel time unable to stop the demise of millions, can anyone ever win against these odds, or will the scientists prevail with a sample of destruction from the plane(Gilliam, 1995)?
References Cameron, J. (Producer/Director). (1994). The terminator (Motion picture). United States: Orion Pictures Corporation Gilliam, T. (Producer/Director). (1995). 12 monkeys (Motion picture). United States: Universal Pictures.