Science Fiction Masterclass

Rating: 10/10 (5 April 2020)

A masterwork of science fiction, 12 Monkeys deserves all of the credit it's achieved over the years. With top-notch performances all around, a smart and twisty script, and atmospheric, almost cartoonish-ly effective directing from Terry Gilliam, this movie is quite an experience.
Bruce Willis and Madeline Stowe are in fine form here, with Willis as charismatic as ever. He has the same determination as his other protagonists, but gone are the witty one-liners and caustic asides. Brad Pitt is throughly psychotic and gives a very OTT performance, which actually really works.
Like most high concept sci-fi movies, 12 Monkeys establishes a dark and depressing tone with a bleak future, while attempting to deal with some bigger issues. I think the film's ultimate message is to enjoy life and not get so caught up in one goal that you don't stop to enjoy anything. This is most clear when Willis' character is in the car and he leans out the window and smiles with the wind on his face while listening to music. This is a pivotal scene, and arguably the most important moment in the movie.
The approach to time travel that the film takes is also more interesting, which is that the future can not be changed. The mechanics of this are interesting, as is how the characters try to deal with it. It gets pretty complicated and mind bending after a while.
This movie has crazy cinematography, several cool fight scenes, Brad Pitt being crazy, and Bruce Willis eating a spider. It's completely crazy.
Definitely check this masterpiece out. Culture yourself.