12 monos

Algunas películas pueden proporcionarnos una experiencia intelectual y otras una emocional. 12 Monos es portadora de ambos parámetros, presentando cada uno de ellos de forma ejemplar y combinándolos en una forma perfectamente armoniosa en el final. Una forma en la que se puede encontrar algo nuevo incluso cuando se ve por décima vez, convirtiéndose así en una joya del género de ciencia ficción. (03.10.2002)

In the best role of his career, Willis left his acting mannerisms behind and dropped his smile #1. An extraordinary film with a brilliantly conceived plot and a breathtaking ending. You won’t get bored for a moment and your brain will work at full speed. The only weakness is the Brad Pitt’s awful overacting, it ruined the impression of the film for me. Thanks to the gods of cinema for Terry Cilliam. (20.04.2003)

Beautiful science fiction that has everything that good science fiction should have. Excellent plot, nice tricks, convincing acting performances (god, this Pitt!!!) and, above all, depth, as is customary with Gilliam. Unlike Brazil, it is very accessible, but not trivial and cheap. Gilliam's manuscript makes this apocalyptic story a riveting and incredibly suggestive spectacle. One more science fiction that could be indelibly written into film history. Does Gilliam have a patent for that? (26.01.2004)

Unfortunately I can’t award twelve stars for the 12 Monkeys, but that changes nothing about the fact that this is not only the zenith of Gilliam’s works, but also the best sci-fi movie ever. And therefore is one of the best works of world cinema. The screenplay is flawless to the T and the ending, which you will comprehend only after watching it several times over and the optimism of the elating message (not the obvious one, but the one hidden under the surface), is just unbeatable. And that’s all I intend to write about this picture - if you have already seen it, you know how powerful and what genius these monkeys hold inside them. And if you haven’t, then you’ll understand when you see it. (24.05.2004)

For most critics, the film Brazil represents the peak of Gilliam's work, while Twelve Monkeys is considered too mainstream, where Gilliam's creative vision was hindered by strict producer oversight. The truth is that Brazil is indeed a pinnacle work in certain aspects (especially in terms of its visual design), but it is also very unbalanced, narcissistic, and difficult for most viewers to comprehend. On the other hand, Twelve Monkeys is an exceptionally balanced genre film, built upon a strong theme, an intelligent script with a highly emotive plot, and a superbly crafted tragic yet ambiguous final scene. Even a disciplined Gilliam presents his viewers with absurd ideas from his workshop (the punishment chair), Orwellian situations (scientists with gifts above Cole's tortured body), and plenty of clever shots with a sense of composition (Cole's ascent into the abandoned city with wild animals on the ledges of the buildings). The excellent cast is led by Bruce Willis, who delivered top-notch character acting without wrestling holds and punches, unlike in his other films. The crazy Brad Pitt showcased once again that he has a very impressive range as an actor, beyond just a handsome face. We also get the demonic David Morse in a small role. There are no weak performances here. For me, this is the absolute pinnacle of the sci-fi genre. Overall impression: 100%. Excellent work with the time paradox within the genre. Even the very tragic theme of a hero desperately trying to stop a catastrophe is lightened in several scenes with small sarcastic jokes. (13.06.2006)

First and foremost, a thorough script guarantees a quality spectacle. And I dare to say that on the first watch, this film is difficult to understand, and penetrating all the nuances and intricacies of the script can only be achieved on a second or third viewing. It can be said that throughout the the film, we do not know where we stand. There are plenty of deceptive references and supporting characters. All of this is wrapped in Terry Gilliam’s typical visual style and unmistakable signature. I dare not claim that I fully understood this masterpiece, but I can confidently say that there are very few films of this kind, with such a large dose of originality and directorial invention. And when you add excellent performances by Bruce Willis and Madeleine Stowe, the result is nothing short of a masterpiece. (03.05.2006)

Brilliant! Terry Gilliam is known for his original and specific work, and with 12 Monkeys he brings it to absolute perfection. It's not every day that a film is so imaginatively and brilliantly directed from start to finish, and that the imagery and, above all, the plot are so varied and sophisticated that you can't help but pop the DVD back into the player and immerse yourself in the cinematic poetry with even greater intensity. It’s is not a groundbreaking work like Kubrick's Odyssey and its nowadays routine visuals won’t lift viewers from their seats, but thanks to its literally timeless story, the great performances and the endless imagination of one film crew, it’s definitely one of the gems of world filmography. (18.08.2012)

If someone still thinks that Brad Pitt can't act, that he's just a Hollywood good-looking guy, they should watch "12 Monkeys". This is clear proof that he is not only a good actor, he is a great actor who can truly immerse himself in a role. There are very few of them like him. He proves it with every other film, whether it's "Babel," "Benjamin Button," or "Moneyball." Besides him, even Bruce Willis is not a bad actor, he is capable of handling action, serious, and comedic roles. Now he had to present himself as an actor of a serious role and he succeeded. His James Cole is as crazy as the whole film is crazy. Paranoia and schizophrenia intertwine in a story that evokes feelings of duality and misunderstanding in the viewer. Madness is conveyed along with other emotions, which only shows how excellent a film is as a means of evoking emotions. It is unique with its visual side, which Terry Gilliam has simply mastered. But this time, the story also worked. Within two hours, you will be taken to different places, seemingly in one world, but on closer inspection, it's actually uncertain if you are still in one place. As I said, schizophrenia and paranoia transition from scenes to the viewer. Terry Gilliam also has an incredible sense of humor, which is inserted into the plot only as a kind of enhancement, treats that many viewers may not even notice, but attentive ones will appreciate. "12 Monkeys" is an excellent film where everything eventually comes together and makes basic sense. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/05/kung-fu-dewey-cox-zkrocena-hora-12-opic.html (18.02.2013)