12 Monkeys on DVD

12 Monkeys is a little bit "The Terminator" and a little bit "Outbreak," but, even though he didn't write it, it's all Terry Gilliam.

Gilliam is the American Monty Python animator/writer/performer who went on to create spotty but fascinating films such as "Brazil" and "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen." 12 Monkeys is a science fiction yarn written by David and Janet Peoples (he of "Blade Runner" and "Unforgiven" fame), and given life by Gilliam, a great cast, and wonderful production design.

It's an intelligent story about James Cole (Bruce Willis, in one of his best roles) a man from humanity's not-too-distant future sent back to 1996 (with a couple of side trips). His society, the last remnants of the human race, live underground in a world now dominated by wild animals after mankind was virtually wiped out by a supervirus. His mission is to collect a sample of the pure virus so scientists back "home" in the "future" can figure out a way to beat it and, eventually, allow humanity to return to the surface and reclaim the earth.

The first attempt at sending him back misses and he arrives in 1990, where he's thought to be insane and locked away. Here he meets his costars, a lovely psychiatrist (Madeline Stowe) and a whacko rich kid (Brad Pitt) who'll play much more important parts in his mission when he finally gets to the correct future - er, past.

Without giving away too much, suffice it to say that this odd and quirky film is nothing short of brilliant. Gilliam and the scriptwriters have given us an intelligent and entertaining science fiction film with no laser battles, a film that keeps you thinking and wondering and looking for clues as it unfolds in front of you.

And the casting is brilliant. Willis is a much better actor than he's generally given credit for, and he's excellent in 12 Monkeys. Pitt is always good, and though there are a few scenes here in which he seems to be aping (no 12 Monkeys pun intended) Dennis Hopper's whacked out photojournalist from "Apocalypse Now," for the most part he's also excellent. And Stowe, who is easy on the eyes but not in a typically Hollywood starlet way, brings nuance and depth to her performance as everything that she knows to be truth and reality is falling apart around her.

12 Monkeys is a must own film for science fiction fans. It's by no means easy going (by which I mean "light entertainment") but if you want to see one of the genre's true classics, a film that'll make you think, this is just your cup of tea.

They even handle the "classic" sci fi concepts of Time Travel Paradoxes extremely well...

Universal's Collector's Edition DVD does justice to this strangely fascinating, disturbing, and entertaining firm. It's a complete package, offering an excellent anamorphic widescreen transfer (16x9 TV compatible) that, while a tad grainy in places, for the most part does great justice to Gilliam's grand yet decrepit vision of society today and tomorrow. Colors are rich and well saturated, the image is sharp and the incredible production values (on a budget, no less) come through very well.

Audio, which on our copy of the disc is offered in Dolby Digital 5.1 (a DTS version is also available) is very good, and there's some interesting use of the surround channels as Cole hears things he has trouble believing he's hearing.

Then there are the extras. Chief among these is "The Hamster Factor and Other Tales of 12 Monkeys," a full length documentary that follows Gilliam through the production and post production of the film, right through its release. This is a wonderful look at the movie, and an even more wonderful look at the maverick visionary Terry Gilliam, with a few good digs at the Hollywood system he eschews as much as possible.

This documentary would be enough to make this DVD a Collector's Edition, but naturally there's more. You also get director Gilliam himself (and producer Charles Koven) doing a fascinating running commentary on a separate audio track. There's also a good liner essay, production notes, cast/crew info, and of course the trailer.

An excellent DVD of an excellent movie.

12 Monkeys, from Universal Home Video
130 min. anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1), 16x9 TV compatible, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround
Starring Bruce Willis, Madeline Stowe, Brad Pitt, Christopher Plummer
Produced by Charles Roven
Written by David Peoples and Janet Peoples, Directed by Terry Gilliam

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