One of the best and saddest time travel films ever made. A very well made motion picture of Terry Gilliam.

One thing I finally noticed after watching this movie 50 times was the preacher that tells cole “you’re one of us”. Earlier in the film the psychiatrist is giving a lecture and the preacher shows up in the 1200’s speaking of the end times, there is a drawing of him in her slide show.

This movie is very underrated. One of my favorite Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt movies of all time.

The scene in thee airport in the end, is one of the most chilling and heartbreaking scenes of all times, for me. It gets me every time. All the implications.

No one is mentioning that the little boy in the airport is him as a child...he is watching his own death, and Madeline looks right into the child's eyes realizing that that is him as a youth as her own new found love lies dying beside her. Heavy!!! That scene is heart rendering.

I tried writing a synopsis based on my perspective and view of the movie. It was turning into a novel so I deleted it. 12 Monkeys is an outstanding movie which I enjoy and re-watch every few years. The concepts, ideas, cinematics, direction, and the portrayals of the actors, were all spot on. That is what the movie is in my mind. What it is not is a popcorn movie you can watch with your brain turned off. You need to think to get the movie. I would like to close by saying to Oliver, thank you for the wonderful review; and to Mr. Gilliam, thank you for the wonderful movie.

In my opinion, Bruce Willis' finest film.

It's a time paradox. A circular inalterable existence.

I’ve always thought the love story works very well because Cole turned her entire reality upside down, and she becomes a sort of caretaker for him. The chemistry in the movie is solid imo

The build-up to the finale of this movie was phenomenal and the reveal at the end shocked and pleased me beyond reason, a true rarity for films to be honest... Highly recommended flick, plus Brad Pitt is simply amazing in this movie...

I’m from the year 2020 and 12 monkeys is very interesting Documentary!

My god, Madeline Stowe was gorgeous in this. Ironically, I used to hate her character while growing up watching Last of the Mohicans and didn't find her attractive at the time. But, somehow, this film made me fall in love with her!

I never noticed the lady scientist on the plane. you just made my day!

Good review...though you missed the fact that the "preacher" type guy in Philadelphia who says Cole is "one of us" is mentioned in Kathryn's slide show (about 45 min. into the movie) as a character from 14th Century England who predicts the virus in the 1990s; he's shown as an illustration among her slides.

Oh yeah, the lady on the plane at the end of the movie is the female scientist in the future.... cripes

This movie! What can I say? It had some sort of profound effect on me. It's one of those movies like, Fight Club that I find so hard to sit through because it makes me feel so uncomfortable, but yet riveted to the screen. It's like driving by a car accident, you know you should look away, but you just can't.

One of my favorite films all time and one of the best endings, love that it is filled with ambiguity from start to finish.

I had always assumed that the ending with the scientist lady on the plane sitting next to the guy who unleashed the virus was meant to imply that the same people who sent Cole back in time to avert the apocalypse were somehow responsible for it in the first place, but I guess your interpretation is equally plausible. Nice review as always, Oliver.

Impeccable review. The end music motiff is so beautiful and emotional.

Well this movie called it

To me, when she says "I remember you like this, I feel like I've known you" it signifies that it's fate that brought them together and they're destined to know each other throughout various time continuums

I remember watching this movie as a child the ending made me cry

Duh... That's his Younger Self seeing his Older Self die. He tells the Doc that he had seen a shooting in an airport when he was younger. The woman had blond hair. You were meant to think it would be Terrorist Dude, but in actuality it was him seeing his own death-- which is why, not only with the challenge of time travel on the psyche; but since he was a child (before the outbreak) he witnessed his own death, a time paradox in itself. That's why after he's shot at the airport, Doc looks for, and finds his gaze as a young child and smiles. She was able to put it together. Which is why he remembered a blonde haired woman. As for Homeless Dudes, they were travelers too, but Toothless Dude I believe was lost in time; as they still didn't have it quite perfected. When Doc questions him-- his mind is broke. He possibly didn't know anymore, or was faking to get away from her. The Preacher was the guy being pulled up in one of the future cut scenes. And Old Chick from the Future, I believe might have been in on the Outbreak; maybe that's who all The Council are-- The Army of the 12 Monkeys. Population Control gotten out of hand, maybe? Now they're going back trying to fix it. I dunno, that's my hypothesis.

I am here, in 2020. There was a Virus, started 31 days ago, in Wuhan, China. The outbreak was quick, the virus appears to have an incredible transmissibility with doubling time of 6 days. Multiple cities in China have been closed, many countries have closed their ports to China. 2 weeks ago, only 247 people was infected, now, 28,900 people infected, and over 500 people died. There is no cure, but we are only helping the infected to recover with their own means. I hope, you will see this message, it means that humanity survived. I hope you had a laugh at this message, which means that we all survived. I hope we are just overreacting. Date this, 7th Feb 2020. I am Nelson, from Sydney, Australia.

"You haven't become addicted have you, to that dying world...?"

We don't use the term "crazy" Mr. Cole, we use the term "nuts".

These are all so well done. I can't get enough. Bravo Oliver!

The main theme of this movie is a direct cover of an Astor Piazzolla theme called Suite Punta del Este. Piazzolla was an argentinian tango fusion composer and bandoneon player, I dare say, the best of his time. They probably used an arrangement due to only having one studio recording of that song, the other versions being recorded in live performances.

No joke, I've been binge watching your channel for three weeks now. I feel like I've seen every single video, and some of them I've even seen four and six times. It's as though every single one of these movies is a film from my childhood. There's something very soothing about these videos, something that always puts me in a good mood. I just want to say to keep up the good work. This this is easily my favorite channel on KZfaq these days.

Hey Oliver This is my first ever comment on KZfaq despite hours and hours spent wasting time on here! Have to say I love your retrospectives. You seek to choose all the films that get my attention and I love the detail you go into. Forget about people who are moaning about you not doing a 'proper' review, I love your videos and I'm sharing with my friends who will also appreciate them. The rocky series are my fave films and my next stop is to watch your rocky 4 commentary - this is my favourite film ever so I hope you don't rip into it too much lol. Keep it up!

very underrated film, i loved the concept! def one of Pitt's best performances!! I absolutely loved him in this!! Possibly my fave Gilliam film next to TIME BANDITS!!

I don't understand why your channel doesn't have more views. Can't wrap my head around it.

Fantastic review and the ending really brought it together.

Seriously, you should make the trailers for all movies, your trailers at the end of your Retrospective videos are unbelievable!!!! And really capture the essence of every movie you do, just incredible!!!!! Awesome work as always sir!!!

I guess I always thought Kathryn's feelings towards James were highly influenced by coming to grips with the fact that everyone, including her, were going to die. She probably said that confusing line of dialogue because it was something she thought, but would never say out loud, unless everyone was going to die.

Great review. I'm surprised you didn't mention that the recurring dreams of the murder of 'a man' was him! As a kid he witnessed his futureself getting killed, and when he makes eye contact with the kid/himself at the end he realizes. I thought that was obvious and gave credence to the time travel and apocalyptic future.

This review is almost as good as the movie. You shed insight on aspects of the movie that I'd never even think to have thought about. Thank you!! Please keep up the great work!

This is one of my favorite retrospectives. Hey, keep up the great work Oliver !!

As always, another great review! By far the BEST review channel on KZfaq

I'm so glad your channel is really taking off now Oliver. The 1 thing that had me from the word go has nothing to do with your flawless audio to picture editing, your knowledge of the arts, or your brand recognition! (Though 'Retrospective' is a flash of genius!) But it's your voice! You have a very nice resonant voice! I've never watched this or the other 2 you mentioned shockingly! I'm playing catch up! Thanks to you!

I got to say Oliver, your retrospectives are really impressive. I watch them on playlists on my dayoff when I'm working on my artwork. You've obviously done your homework/research and it really shows how much you love films as much as I have. I also love that some of the films like "Batman and Robin" and "Super Mario Bros" you try to stray from what everyone else has said about them and actually gave some positive aspects about them. It really shows your versatility as a reviewer. I would definitely love to see more retrospectives as well. Perhaps Ralph Balshki's "Wizards" or "Indiana Jones in the Last Crusade"? Either ways keep up the good work man.

This movie has unfinished business, it deserves a sequel!!!! The man was not stopped!!!!

Just finished watching it again after many years. Love your retrospective series Oliver.

I love your your method in reviewing these movies. I'm always excited when I see a new one up on my feed. You deserve more views and subscribers!

Thank you for reviewing this film. It has been on of my favorites for years. Now I have a reason to watch it again.

Wow! Oliver this is one of my top 50 movies of all time. I'm so glad you got to this one. I think its my favorite retro review you've done so far. Awesome work!

thanks for another great upload, I've always enjoyed your work

Well done as always Oliver!

Great job Oliver! One of my fav movies of all time!

The real question is..What crime did Cole commit in the future to be imprisoned and be selected to volunteer in the first place

great insight, lookin forward to seeing your other videos

I hug you tightly, Oliver. Thank you for another great review. I love this movie. The music too.. it's so haunting. I sought out Astor Piazzolla records after watching the DVD several times.

Your insight and intellect are a gift, thanks for the great content!

The ending just looks like a loop with him seeing himself get shot, but that is what the final hand sake scene is for. Its to give the audience the clue they need to understand that those who kept sending him back in time finally figured out what it was leading up to and therefor in turn being able to stop the virus spreader. Giving the kid the life he should have had in the first place. The ending isnt death, but a "save the world" and rebirth type thing, in my view.

Top notch review! This film has been in my DVD collection for many, many years. Wonderful piece of smart sci-fi. Also, I REALLY thought your end montage was incredible!

Great choice of film to review. I've watched this movie many times and found myself having to take notes. Good review Ollie.

The very first time I tried 'shrooms as a teenager, I went home and watched this movie... it was the most terrifying film ever made, definitely NOT a good movie to watch at that point...

Just found your channel mate, excellent reviews, watched about 30 today! Just the right balance between opinion and action from the films, also I'm learning a lot about the films I didn't know before, a lot of good detail! You seem to have reviewed all my favorite films of all time, guessing you are in your early 30s? Look forward to seeing more videos.

thanks for this, helped in my essay about the metaphysics of it greatly

God Madeleine Stowe makes my heart ache in this movie!! So beautiful!!

it´s time for the fight club review.

Always found this movie very unsettling but i like watching it from time to time, i love movies that mess with your head!:)

Brads incredible charm is warped into a great performance as an insane trustifarian

i just found this channel, this guys videos are incredible.

The first time i saw it i couldn't make it half way through. Then after repeatedly hearing from people how good it was, I decided to really sit down and watch the whole thing. Only by the end found myself exhausted from trying to keep track of the plot. Which is weird because i did enjoy Brazil. I did however find Pitt's performance really entertaining and loved the overall aesthetic.

Another great review, thanks!

The Presence of Vertigo in the movie is actually a nod back to the original short film La Jetee. The films director has stated he was inspired to make the film from Vertigo. So in a way Gilliam was bringing the film full circle back to where it started.

9:49 - "I'm in insurance". The future scientist woman is so cold… She doesn't wish to prevent the virus in 1996. She likes being in power. To prevent the virus in 1996 would remove her from power in the future. She's only on that plane in 1996 to bring information back to the future to assure she has the cure when it best suits herself.

In my world its Gilliams 2nd best, Brazil being his best. Great retro-review on a great, great movie :-)

The blu-ray has the absolute best behind-the-scenes doc I've ever seen.

Solid video. And nice montage in the end.

awesome review dudes!!!

Speaking of Gillian-directed films, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on *Brazil*.

Excellent trailer at the end there, Oliver.

What I never got as a teenager when I watched this great movie was, not only is he stuck in a time loop but it was HIM, Cole (he tells his idea as a joke to Jeffrey Goynes in the hospital!) that started it all and the scientist already know that and always have to send him on his mission (to start the whole thing) so they can be on the position that they are now. Basically a time-travel paradox. Difficult to explain. One of my favorite films. Hits me hard every time.

Maybe it's the CoronaVirus, It's Heeeeeere .

Brilliant movie, one of my all time favourites. Thanks!

Very Helpful breakdown of the film. Thank you.

It's the Animal Kingdom they want they're Planet Back .

Oliver, I'd love to see you review Fargo. That'd be awesome...

Cassandra syndrome! Terry again was telling us what to be concerned about! Beautiful romantic sci-ti mind twisting brilliance!

Great review, and a terrific film. Hugely memorable since the first time I saw it in the cinema in 1995. I was completely blown away by the ending. It's not exactly a fun watch, but it retains its power, and for anyone who loves time travel films and psychological drama it's a "must have" in your collection.

There’s 3 James Cole characters, the kid in the airport is the young James Cole and the old guy with no teeth is the older James Cole who had the same voice in Bruce Willis head, thats his older him talking to his self. I learned this from watching DARK on Netflix. Lol.

After all these years, it makes sense, the scientist at the end was the person sent from the present, I just thought it was coincidence! Thank you for this!

I've never seen this movie, so I didn't know John McClane appeared bald before Die Hard 4

One of my all time favorite films. Amazing storytelling,

I didn't know a lot of the actors took a pay cut just to work with Gilliam, that's pretty cool.

love that trailer at the end

Brilliant film, and a refreshing take on time travel. Finally a movie with the good sense to keep time linear. You can’t go back and change anything. Anything you do always was. You try to thwart was is, and you’ll only enlist yourself in making it so. They truly only go back to study. They can’t change anything. That’s such a welcome change from most time travel stories.

*Twelve Monkeys is one of my favorite films. In the 2000's i had a "Movie Friday Policy" for every week we turned a profit: the entire shop would close at noon, and we'd put a film up on the auditorium screen (full size theater screen and sound system). Twelve Monkeys was the first film I chose to start this - and it was requested several more times over the next few years. This is a genuine masterpiece!*

Incredible intellect and show thank you.

To answer a couple of your questions: Railly thinks she's seen Cole before because she has - in the photos from WWI which were among the sources for (one assumes) her doctoral dissertation research, and which are, in 1996, pinned to a cork board in her office and in piles of books she's used in researching The Casandra Complex. The memory stirs as soon as she hears that the bullet was from WWI. She hadn't previously focused on the other naked man in the trench photo because only Jose's story was known to history. Re other time travelers: The one in Philly who says "You're one of us!" is seen two other times in the film. He's being drawn up on a hook for volunteer duty in the first future scene, and he appears in an illustration Railly projects during her lecture, the medieval man from near Stonehenge who prophecies pestilence.

I loved this film, Bruce and Brad's best if you ask me. Time-travel paradox at it's finest, showing how by sending him back they kinda influenced the spread of the virus in the first place. I always prefer it when time-travel is shown to be fixed, that you can't just go back and change everything, as it's all predetermined. A classic film for the ages!

The doctor on the airplane - I never realized it was the same actor from earlier. Mind blown. 😋

The reason why this film is so good is because it plays with our own fears and our own battles in reality in living and our own neuroticism Behind all the organization in our existence, and behind all the knowledge, the neurotic and what we truly do perceive.. It is so well made in the filth and in the gritty and in the dark basement feel. And the apocalyptic fear haunting as it is, as the purpose behind everything.. Made with theatrics and music, well done camera shots... It's in a sense freeing us from our own fate, freeing us from mental control and our own fears and neurosis But with a twist: be fearful, be aware!

You pointed out a lot of things I don't think I caught when I watched this back when it first came out. I need to watch it again. But the scene at the airport at the end is indelibly etched into my mind. It was revelatory, a surprise but not really a twist. Both Willis and Pitt were enthralling. Yeah, I need to see this movie again.

A very underrated movie! Good review!

Bruce Willis is definitely one of my favorite actors. 12 monkeys, Unbreakable, Die Hard series, and Fifth element among my most loved of his.

First movie that brought a tear to my eye. Saw it in the cinema and the shooting at the airport still gets to me, all these years later.

Great montage at the end