Review of Twelve Monkeys (1995) by Serkan S — 21 Dec 2011

Not for everyone's cup of tea but for all its worth, it's simply mind-blowing, a real cult classic. Demonstrates how great sci-fi can be made without special effects and gargantuan budgets. After a messy start, Gilliam sent us into a post-apocalyptic world, then makes us travel back and forth in time, and manipulates us brillantly about what's delusion and what's reality with exerting great control from beginning to end. Apart from great non-linear storytelling and dazzling cinematography, mentally divergent Willis and psychotic Pitt deliver unforgettable performances.

The plot may seem bizarre and intriguing, but clues are finely scattered throughout the film. For viewers who believe the story is left very open-ended, second viewing might be helpful to find out what's going on over there. But, after two viewings I still think that the question whether the 'past' can really be changed is left unanswered.

The other thing I find paradoxical is that nearly 40 years after the virus outbreak, the underground survivors have reached a technological level high enough to discover time travelling (though still not perfect!!). It's a sci-fi movie and let's assume it's OK. But, under such a technological state, how they did not afford to find a cure for the virus, that's really unbelievable!!!