'12 Monkeys', inspired by Cris Marker's 'La Jette' and written by David and Janet Peoples, is one of the most compelling viewing of 1995. But as directed by Terry Gilliam, the film remains an acquired taste. Even now I could not make up my mind whether '12 Monkeys' is a flawed masterpiece or a messy personal crusade against the system, that is the Corporate Hollywood. You should sit down and watch the accompanying documentary (a regular feature of any Special Edition laserdisc) called 'The Hamster Effect', - shot not as a promo but Gilliam's insistence to document the behind-the-scenes of '12 Monkeys' - and realise that shooting the film, while not as emotionally draining experience as that of 'Brazil' (Gilliam's decidedly flawed masterpiece), it is most interesting peek into making a film that is essentially a sci-fi/thriller/whathaveyou hybrid done like a European art film.
The commentary by Gilliam available exclusively on this laserdisc edition is sometimes insightful, sometimes hillarious, sometimes 'off-topic' but not as an invigorating or exhausting as the one he gives on Criterion's 'Brazil'. It is even bland at times, when discussing banal anecdotes of location shooting and other non-vital technicalities. It seems to this viewer at least that Gilliam shot the film without the passion and focus he displayed when making his other films. Mostly because he considered his role as a director-for-hire in this film, but '12 Monkeys' is pure Gilliam all the way. His recurring themes of a civilization deprived of humanity, a regular Joe trying to make sense of the crazy world around him and, last but not least, the thin line that separates reality and fantasy.
The disc itself is lackluster in video quality. It is most acceptable transfer but it is obvious in some scenes that the fleshtones tend to bleed. Color is not always accurate while contrast is generally good. The AC-3 soundtrack is a futile bit of attempt to make this a more commercial viable product since this is not an all-out 'Die Hard' building-blowing type of movie.
From the revealing documentary you can see the Big Stars sign up for the project only to attain Hollywood respectability by associating oneself with Terry Gilliam and a more (at least they think so) artistic venture. They do not care what this great film is trying to say to us audience. I will leave that part to you viewers to decide for yourselves.
Brute Kasmarov.
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