Reviewed by Johnny McNair

Universal Studios Home Entertainment – 129 mins  – 1995 – Rated R – 1080p Widescreen 1.85: 1 – DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1

The Terry Gilliam film 12 Monkeys has gained more momentum over the years than when it was originally released in 1995. Many who saw it fourteen years ago and didn’t think much of it, have seen it again and praised it for its originality and style of storytelling that is different from what a conventional science fiction movie offers. Director Terry Gilliam has made some unique films, and 12 Monkeys is one of his best. If you’ve never seen it, or you’re interested in revisiting it, 12 Monkeys is now available on Blu-ray from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

MOVIE

12 Monkeys is not a bright and shiny sci-fi flick like Star Trek, or a noir-and-neon movie like Blade Runner, 12 Monkeys is dark, dirty, gloomy and doesn’t attempt to apologize for it by offering hope. The story centers around a killer virus that wipes out nearly everyone on Earth in the mid 90’s, and those who survived have to live underground to quarantine what’s left of the human race. Now, in the year 2035, a prisoner named James Cole (Bruce Willis) volunteers for a mission to go back in time to 1996 and find the source of origin of the virus, which was said to be created and then spread by a mysterious group known as the Army of the Twelve Monkeys. Something goes wrong with his course of travel and instead of 1996 Cole arrives in 1990, where is thrown into a mental institution because everyone in the past thinks he’s a lunatic.

In the institution he meets Dr. Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe), who he kidnaps and uses as a means to find the location of the Army of 12 Monkeys. She obviously thinks he’s dangerous, but eventually starts to see that he’s telling the truth and helps him. Also locked in the institution is a man named Jeffrey Goines (Brad Pitt), a true nut-case who is the son of the scientist who created the deadly virus, and is the future founder of the Army of 12 Monkeys. Now Cole must figure out a way to stay alive, survive constant time travel and unravel the mystery that will hopefully save five billion people from being wiped out.

Based on the short French movie La Jetee, 12 Monkeys takes the audience on an intelligent journey that reconfirms that mankind is more of a threat to itself than any other force of nature. Terry Gilliam, known for his more outlandish set pieces such as Baron Munchausen and Brazil, tones himself down quite a bit to make a more commercial film and succeeds on many levels. Bruce Willis does an excellent job playing a man who just wants to survive, but he’s not the wisecracking John McClane character that we’re used to. Brad Pitt also shines playing a guy you wouldn’t want to be locked in a room with, but at the same time there’s something likeable about him.

12 Monkeys does not have transforming robots or CGI characters, because people are used as the selling point. Bruce Willis is not being chased by helicopters are a ball of fire, but the tone of action is just as solid as any of his other films. For anyone looking for something different, this film should definitely be seen because unlike most films that you forget as soon as the ending credits role, 12 Monkeys stays with you. The film is not perfect, but even with its flaws it’s more superior that most of the stuff coming out of the studios now. 12 Monkeys deserves you attention.

VIDEO

This is a shame, because with a film this visually effective, the transfer is not up to speed. 12 Monkeys was originally released on HD-DVD, and it seems that Universal just ported the same transfer to Blu-ray because nothing new was done to enhance the image quality. Presented in 1080p in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the image quality is acceptable, but it’s not up to the Blu-ray standards that we’ve been spoiled by. The quality is not super sharp and some scenes look very muddy and flat. Grain is present in many spots, and the colors will not jump out at you. If this were a standard DVD it would be fine, but this is not the one to show off and convince folks to upgrade to high definition.

AUDIO

Fortunately, the sound makes up for the image because with the Dolby Digital DTS-HD lossless 5.1 audio mix, 12 Monkeys sounds great. Dialogue is clear, and background sounds such as the constant chatter in the mental institution immerses you into the scenes. The film’s music score by Paul Buckmaster  is also heightened and becomes one of the film’s characters as you follow Cole’s adventure. Overall, the sound is a plus.

EXTRAS

The selections of bonus features is slim, and are ported over from previous editions of the DVD and HD-DVD, so nothing is in high definition.

Director Terry Gilliam and the film’s producer Charles Roven sit down for an audio commentary track. This is actually a good commentary, because Gilliam has a fun way of telling stories, and he goes into how it was like to work with big name stars like Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt.

The 12 Monkeys’ Archives is a collection of stills, concept art and storyboards. Nothing fancy, but it’s worth taking a look at.

The Hamster Factor and Other Tales of the 12 Monkeys is by far the best bonus feature on the disc. The feature length documentary goes into the whole process of the making the film from cradle to grave. If you loved the movie 12 Monkeys, this will make you appreciate it even more, because in the end it may look glamorous when you see star-studded Hollywood movie premiers on TV, but filmmaking is a very hard job, and though many do it, only a few know how to do it right.

Purist will be happy that the original trailer for 12 Monkeys is also included on the disc.

BOTTOM LINE

12 Monkeys has stood strong over the past fourteen years and continues to gather a new audience, because of its unique take on the science fiction genre. The Blu-ray’s image quality is not as spectacular as others out there, but it’s good, and the sound mix is well done to pull you into the experience. This movie is not only recommended to fans, but also to anyone who has never seen 12 Monkeys and are looking for something new. Pick this one up.

SCORES: (out of 5):

The Movie: 4.0

Video: 3.0

Sound: 4.0

Extras: 3.0

Bottom Line: 3.5