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.
Yes. Also they voices James hear at the future custody halland in the past bathroom. This is something i dont figure out. Is that his mind, another chrononaut like him or a voice placed on his head by the scientits.
Their time machine is not reliable as the Delorean. The 1200s preacher is a lost time traveller. But I guess future scientists will fix that after the last Cole's time travel. This is shown because Cole's friend and the scientist in the plane come at the right time
@@alexr1629 I think its explained in the movie how they get bounced around to different periods in time. All with certain objectives. And all of them being expendable. If they lose a traveler, they just get another one
People use the word "underrated" as a synonym for "very good". It drives me nuts. It's a critically acclaimed and very successful movie, you can hardly rate it any higher.
+deadasfak Thank goodness you said that. People are so fucking annoying. Something being "underrated" is not synonymous with "unsuccessful". The people who like and love the movie LOVE IT. End of.
most would say the movie 12 monkeys is based on (a French short film called "la jette" .....I'm probably spelling that wrong) would be the most underrated.
You didn't even mention the best actress of her generation; Madeleine Stowe. I've never scene a bad performance from her. She's very much underrated. (Perhaps if she played her characters with a higher level of aggression like many other female Hollywood stars she would have got more recognition.)
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.
No one else is suggesting that with the woman from the future in the plane with the man who caused the pandemic, she will stop him and then the child who witnessed his own death will grow up in a new future. Seems obvious to me.
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.
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.
Terry Gilliam wanted to end it that way just like with the same emotional impact of Brazil, as far as he was concerned the movie ends where the boy watched his own death resulting in a paradox. One of the writers(?) insisted to add the scene of the airport which Terry tried to stifle the shot by making it expensive to shoot but got a very nice shot out of it and liked it, but Cole actually got the Virus to the scientist resulting in him saving the future as the final release. Despite that, I like how ambiguous it kind of is to just leave it to it’s viewers conclusion and imagination.
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
Yeah. I think she falls for him out of pity for all he suffered. Also, misery loves company. They were different from everyone else because of what they knew.
Yeah but the cop thinks she has Stockholm syndrome so she learns about gaslighting and not being understood herself he knew things like about the boy and the prank.
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...
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!
@@F_And No.... she is 'insurance' in the sense the she also went back in time in order to try to save humanity. She is an insurance against Cole not getting the job done but the loop may be closed anyway. It is meant to be a glimmer of hope that she is able to break the circle and do what Cole was unable to do. She is sent back after Cole because they get info from Cole and she is there to stop the virus spread. . This is clearly explained earlier in the film. But reality is likely that she too was unable to change the time loop but is able to survive. It makes zero sense that she was an insurance agent in that time because then she would already have the information she was looking for and there would have been no reason to send Cole.
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.
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.
Message received. The virus has spread further, however the media agencies around the world have actively downplayed it's impact via lack of reporting. 26th of Feb, 2020.
Fueled by racial tensions, riots and looting have broken out in 24 cities in the US. and no one is following social distancing or facial protection protocols; protests in Hong Kong continue; air travel is virtually non-existent; Chinese and Indian troops are facing off at their border; the world economy is near collapse; the Department of Defense of the US has hired a contractor named ApiJect to manufacture 50 million pre-filled syringes that contain a COVID "vaccine" and a nano RFID chip. Dated June 1st, 2020.
And now we are all embarrassed by our over reaction and mismanagement. Most people have become cynical and mistrusting of governments and science narratives. We survived but the world has changed. Dated June 19th, 2024
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.
@@mrnobody6447 I think the ending could have been better if it actually showed that one of the scientists from the future was also one who released the virus
Called what? Bruce Willis being the perfect role for time traveling? Or that this virus is something being controlled and manipulated by global elite terrorists You ever eat bacon spam? Dude. I'm literally jonesing for some real hormel bacon spam on some white bread.
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.
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.
Paradox is the wrong word here, as a closed loop is the opposite; there is nothing self contradicting about it. When the word "time paradox" is used it usually means that you change the past and create a new timeline, and one that can never lead to your current self to boot. That is why messing with your own past is seen as dangerous. In a stable loop however your time traveling changes have been a part of the past from the beginning, so no contradictory change actually happens.
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.
Who would create a movie that has a sad ending, I mean every movie must have a hero saving his future from devastating virus, but nooooooo, they instead, when I grow up, I would make my own movies with good and heroic ending, so bite me
And man Fuck the psychiatrist, they think they know everything, they always think the people that say there from the future are crazy, I mean for once can we listen to the Tim traveler, I mean if he says that a virus is coming, then is are duty to save humanity from destruction
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'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!
Oliver Harper I really like your channel, It show a lot of love put in the videos. If you are interesting in the soundtrack of this movie (and being so hard to find) I strongly recomend you to listen to Astor Piazzolla; for many years I tought that it was Him the author. Sorry for the spelling.
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 UA-cam these days.
@@YanAbaus no they don't. They just say he's anti social and stuff they imply he's very violent and has multiple quarantine violations but we don't know that's why he's imprisoned.
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.
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!!!
Hey Oliver This is my first ever comment on UA-cam 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!
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 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.
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.
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!
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.
Remember they didn’t stop him, they only wanted the original form of the virus. Cole said that he couldn’t change the future, he only wanted the virus, before it mutated
@@rotfaun2852 That could just as well their goal before they got as close as they did. While its a long time since I viewed the movie there are plenty of scenes showing that the past was actually changed. ww1, voice mails, 12M getting the idea from Cole and so on. - If they expected a "lone crazy" person was the source. Finding him on a planet with 8 billion would be a impossible task if people could only be sent back a few times before going bonkers.
@@mildredhousefilms That is not how gravity works. Without wind or other the virus would not have escaped during that scene because the atmosphere inside the vial and outside it was at an equilibrium. The reason you see hot air rise up when you take a cooking lid off is because the air is hotter than the surroundings. In an opposite manner you can see ww1 gas attacks were the gas seeps into the trenches because its designed to be heavier than air even after it is turned into gas.
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!
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...
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
+Ratshag ! Time Bandits is also classic Gilliam...very odd and not really much of a happy ending....have always considered all three films (actually four if you include Zero Theorem) existing in the same(ish) universe/reality and to quote the cheshire cat form wonderland "we're all mad here Alice"
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.
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.
I had always assumed the ending scene with the scientist from the future on the same plane with the bio-terrorist guy was a little jab put in by Gilliam, something he likes to do. She says, as far as I can remember "I'm in insurance". The jab being that you realize that she, and probably the others running the whole show in the future, aren't actually scientists; they're just normal people who had some amount of power and influence when the bull-squeeze hit the fan. With the kind of dark comedy styling of Gilliam, that's the final twist of the knife that I would expect from him. However, the term she used, "insurance" could have a double meaning, supporting your theory that she was sent back as insurance that the viable sample was returned. I always thought she looked significantly younger in the plane scene as opposed to the future, but it's been a couple of years since I've seen this one. I'll have to check it out again.
Idk because Terry Gilliam didn’t write the film and said it was difficult to direct on another persons script on preserving the vision and doing his own thing. He also said he didn’t want to have this scene with the lady meeting the virologist because “it ruins the emotional impact” if Cole accomplished something. Also, maybe you’re on to something with the double meaning, since Cole did actually change something (Terry didn’t want it this way though) she’s there to get the virus to find the cure, maybe it was or maybe it wasn’t but it’s neat to think about.
@@Henrique.Souza0601 This is deep cut. You're right, if they weren't scientists, how was time travel invented? I still tend towards my dark idea that noone really knew how to fix this, but what's your take?
@@mrgbig6237 I go with the simple explanation. I believe in Jose when he says "you did it" after Bruce sends the new message talking about who was the real guy that spread the virus. I believe in the original timeline, Brad Pitt was responsible for spreading the virus (since he's seen in one of Bruce's flashback as the man running) and Bruce's actions changed it, and made it possible for him to track down exactly the responsible this time. The scientist next to the lab assistant in the airplane in the end means she went back to collect exact information about the virus to act in the future to find a cure. She's even talking music to the guy's ears when she says about human extermination. Probably the plan is to make him talk all about it so she can go back and do her business.
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.
In my opinion, the ultimate theme of this movie is HOPE our hopefulness in the face of reality. Reality, here is dark, and murky, it's kinda left up to our individual interpretations. I think this was, the Gilliam's intent. The sad ending, it's ambiguity that's left to us to define how hopeful we are deep inside. All the other stuff, the time travelling etc, though highly cinematic, is just besides the point, really I see the evil bio-terrorist, a scientist, being stopped , in the end. After all the scientist from the future was sent as an insurance, incase Cole failed, he did. I believe she won't. That's just a gauge of how hopeful, I am as a person..
@Frank Castle When she shakes his hand, or maybe just sitting next to him, she's already dead. When she goes back to the future (pun intended) she will have the virus sample for them to study and she will die for it.
I strongly disagree. The theme of the movie is _doom._ We are, all of us, doomed to be dragged in the wake of petty bureaucrats and mindless enforcers driving us over a cliff.
That actually makes me feel better about the ending...I always assumed it was a statement about futility and coincidence, with the lady scientist being next to the bioterrorist, but it never made sense why she didn't age in all the years...but to say they are aware of the trail in the future and sent her back to the past to meet the bioterrorist and gather more information, is much more optimistic...
The studio made Terry Gilliam add that ending in because they were afraid audiences would find his original ending (Cole watching himself get shot, then fade to black) too bleak.
In the end , it was never about changing the course of the future permanently, Cole was played by the scientist...the scientist wanted to replay that time accordingly to get next to the man who spreads the virus , love this movie
@@mike44b to get access to the virus to get the cure in the future. They say it literally the whole movie but still people theorize all kind of things. He went back, changed stuff (Brad Pitt was the responsible for the virus first, that's shown in one of the flashbacks/dreams he was the one running in the airport) and he ended up changed with his father's assistant because of Bruce's actions. Anyway the virus will always be spread and he will always die in front of his kid version. In the end, the scientist being there and even saying she worked with insurance implies they're now close to the virus and closer to get a solution in the future, since the past can't be changed. Insurance means she's there to guarantee they'll live in the future without the virus.
In my opinion there are three possible meanings of the ending which is genius. 1. Time can't be changed so it's a paradox, everything they do to alter the timeline in fact creates the timeline. The Cassandra paradox at its worst. 2. The scientists played Cole. They are in charge in the future and they send Cole back in order to create the future, where they are in power. It was never about the virus. It was about power. 3. Cole died but ultimately reached his goal. He found the scientist, who made the virus. And the scientist is in the plane to secure a sample of the original virus. Mankind is saved. This is brilliant! PS, I just realized that theory 1 and 3 can coexist. The scientists knew they can't change the past. Therefore he creates a paradox. But with the knowledge of the past in the present, they can save the future.
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.
Great Review Oliver now so fascinated about this movie i did see half the film from couple days in September. now that you review this movie defiantly want to see this whole movie. Great review Oliver exited for Predator Review from you good luck on that one so have nice day as always looking forward to your videos mate bye
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.
Yes. Also they voices James hear at the future custody halland in the past bathroom. This is something i dont figure out. Is that his mind, another chrononaut like him or a voice placed on his head by the scientits.
Anything you say, Bob.
Their time machine is not reliable as the Delorean. The 1200s preacher is a lost time traveller. But I guess future scientists will fix that after the last Cole's time travel. This is shown because Cole's friend and the scientist in the plane come at the right time
Nice catch
@@alexr1629
I think its explained in the movie how they get bounced around to different periods in time. All with certain objectives. And all of them being expendable. If they lose a traveler, they just get another one
This movie is very underrated. One of my favorite Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt movies of all time.
What is its rating?
People use the word "underrated" as a synonym for "very good". It drives me nuts. It's a critically acclaimed and very successful movie, you can hardly rate it any higher.
+deadasfak
Thank goodness you said that.
People are so fucking annoying.
Something being "underrated" is not synonymous with "unsuccessful".
The people who like and love the movie LOVE IT.
End of.
most would say the movie 12 monkeys is based on (a French short film called "la jette" .....I'm probably spelling that wrong) would be the most underrated.
You didn't even mention the best actress of her generation; Madeleine Stowe. I've never scene a bad performance from her. She's very much underrated. (Perhaps if she played her characters with a higher level of aggression like many other female Hollywood stars she would have got more recognition.)
In my opinion, Bruce Willis' finest film.
Most definitely, I just watched it yesterday and until then I always thought that his movies were brainless action flicks.
12 Monkeys
The Sixth Sense
Hostage
My personal top 3 🙌🏼
@@john-tobeymaguirecenathe last Boy Scout would like to know your location
He’s reeeeally good in Pulp Fiction tho
He nailed Butch’s vibe perfectly
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 mean, that's kinda obvious
Yes it’s very obvious
Everyone mention this please! And pretend to be surprised!
@@wailer27 🤣🤣
No one else is suggesting that with the woman from the future in the plane with the man who caused the pandemic, she will stop him and then the child who witnessed his own death will grow up in a new future. Seems obvious to me.
I’m from the year 2020 and 12 monkeys is very interesting Documentary!
Wait til you see 2021
Yeah still relevant
@@chewcab8008 Corona has killed the people that would otherwise die of flu, in addition to killing people.
Here in 2023 we love reminiscing over these pre WW3 comments
Delta plus is the mutation that they were talking about. Wipes out 99% of the population.
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.
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.
Can you please send the synopsis to me. I am writing a fouclaudian analysis of the movie and I am having trouble finding sources.
It's a time paradox. A circular inalterable existence.
It is just an imagination of a schizoprenhian
fate just like the terminator movies
Time is a flat circle.
Terry Gilliam wanted to end it that way just like with the same emotional impact of Brazil, as far as he was concerned the movie ends where the boy watched his own death resulting in a paradox.
One of the writers(?) insisted to add the scene of the airport which Terry tried to stifle the shot by making it expensive to shoot but got a very nice shot out of it and liked it, but Cole actually got the Virus to the scientist resulting in him saving the future as the final release.
Despite that, I like how ambiguous it kind of is to just leave it to it’s viewers conclusion and imagination.
Time _loop._
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
Yeah. I think she falls for him out of pity for all he suffered. Also, misery loves company. They were different from everyone else because of what they knew.
Yeah but the cop thinks she has Stockholm syndrome so she learns about gaslighting and not being understood herself he knew things like about the boy and the prank.
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...
He watched his own death, but did not stop the man with the virus!!!! What????
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 totally fell in love with her.
Same.
All I can say is Revenge.
She still looks amazing all these years later. Time treated her well.
@@drrocky01 Oh god yes, she is so hot in that movie. I couldn't take my eyes off her.
Oh yeah, the lady on the plane at the end of the movie is the female scientist in the future.... cripes
My theory is the doctor in the end is the phychatrist. She said she is in insurance which means she wants to cuase the death.
No, she was an insurance salesman
@@F_And No.... she is 'insurance' in the sense the she also went back in time in order to try to save humanity. She is an insurance against Cole not getting the job done but the loop may be closed anyway. It is meant to be a glimmer of hope that she is able to break the circle and do what Cole was unable to do.
She is sent back after Cole because they get info from Cole and she is there to stop the virus spread. . This is clearly explained earlier in the film. But reality is likely that she too was unable to change the time loop but is able to survive.
It makes zero sense that she was an insurance agent in that time because then she would already have the information she was looking for and there would have been no reason to send Cole.
rdecredico maybe she could have gathered more information and change the future of the year 2035 rather than the future of the year 1996
@@@rdecredico But we don't know whether it's pre or post-plague lady. She could just be there in a coincidence.
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.
He possibly removed his theeth like the old beggar that told James to do the same. And decided to stay on Philadelphia.
I never noticed the lady scientist on the plane. you just made my day!
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.
Message received. The virus has spread further, however the media agencies around the world have actively downplayed it's impact via lack of reporting. 26th of Feb, 2020.
Virus has spread, thousands dead, and forced lockdown in many countries worldwide. Underground phase is in the works. 20th of March 2020.
Fueled by racial tensions, riots and looting have broken out in 24 cities in the US. and no one is following social distancing or facial protection protocols; protests in Hong Kong continue; air travel is virtually non-existent; Chinese and Indian troops are facing off at their border; the world economy is near collapse; the Department of Defense of the US has hired a contractor named ApiJect to manufacture 50 million pre-filled syringes that contain a COVID "vaccine" and a nano RFID chip.
Dated June 1st, 2020.
And now we are all embarrassed by our over reaction and mismanagement. Most people have become cynical and mistrusting of governments and science narratives. We survived but the world has changed.
Dated June 19th, 2024
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.
I thought it was they were right next to the person responsible the whole time and never knew it.
@@mrnobody6447 I think the ending could have been better if it actually showed that one of the scientists from the future was also one who released the virus
Well this movie called it
Called what? Bruce Willis being the perfect role for time traveling?
Or that this virus is something being controlled and manipulated by global elite terrorists
You ever eat bacon spam? Dude. I'm literally jonesing for some real hormel bacon spam on some white bread.
@@hoochiecoochieman4530 pretty sure they meant covid
👍
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.
Exactly.
This is _real_ idiocracy. Incompetent leadership destroys humanity.
From Airport guards to the post-apocalypse leadership.
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.
Paradox is the wrong word here, as a closed loop is the opposite; there is nothing self contradicting about it. When the word "time paradox" is used it usually means that you change the past and create a new timeline, and one that can never lead to your current self to boot. That is why messing with your own past is seen as dangerous. In a stable loop however your time traveling changes have been a part of the past from the beginning, so no contradictory change actually happens.
@Lotus 369 I hope you got over your mania or psychosis in the meantime.
"You haven't become addicted have you, to that dying world...?"
Deep sh!t, well said.
One of my favorite films all time and one of the best endings, love that it is filled with ambiguity from start to finish.
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.
That was obvious and that's why he didn't say it
Impeccable review. The end music motiff is so beautiful and emotional.
alec Thanks Alec!
Who would create a movie that has a sad ending, I mean every movie must have a hero saving his future from devastating virus, but nooooooo, they instead, when I grow up, I would make my own movies with good and heroic ending, so bite me
I mean a movement that released the virus and killed most of humanity and forcing the survivors to live underground
And man Fuck the psychiatrist, they think they know everything, they always think the people that say there from the future are crazy, I mean for once can we listen to the Tim traveler, I mean if he says that a virus is coming, then is are duty to save humanity from destruction
just watching the first few seconds of this review gives me chills! such an awesome movie!!!
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!!
Fisher king right up there.
I definitely agree regarding Brad’s performance…he was magnificent as a crazy person…great acting on his part!!!!
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!
Oliver Harper
I really like your channel, It show a lot of love put in the videos. If you are interesting in the soundtrack of this movie (and being so hard to find) I strongly recomend you to listen to Astor Piazzolla; for many years I tought that it was Him the author. Sorry for the spelling.
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 UA-cam these days.
I remember watching this movie as a child the ending made me cry
The real question is..What crime did Cole commit in the future to be imprisoned and be selected to volunteer in the first place
They tell you when Cole first "volunteers" and the guard scans the barcode on his neck.
@@YanAbaus no they don't. They just say he's anti social and stuff they imply he's very violent and has multiple quarantine violations but we don't know that's why he's imprisoned.
@@juanmccoy3066 Yes they do. They mention something about sexual assault, and the ominous "violations of the Permanent Emergency Code."
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.
Fantastic review and the ending really brought it together.
+Van Halen 1984 the Gun is good the Penis is Evil
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!!!
holy shit was the clip at the end made by him??
These are all so well done. I can't get enough. Bravo Oliver!
Hey Oliver
This is my first ever comment on UA-cam 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!
Welcome Mr. Gines.
Be prepared for abuse and accusations of the most insane things by people who know nothing about you.
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 attributed it to deja vu created by the infinite tragic time loop they both were caught up in.
This is one of my favorite retrospectives. Hey, keep up the great work Oliver !!
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.
I don't understand why your channel doesn't have more views. Can't wrap my head around it.
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.
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!
We don't use the term "crazy" Mr. Cole, we use the term "nuts".
@Lotus 369 dafuq
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.
Remember they didn’t stop him, they only wanted the original form of the virus. Cole said that he couldn’t change the future, he only wanted the virus, before it mutated
@@rotfaun2852 That could just as well their goal before they got as close as they did. While its a long time since I viewed the movie there are plenty of scenes showing that the past was actually changed. ww1, voice mails, 12M getting the idea from Cole and so on.
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If they expected a "lone crazy" person was the source. Finding him on a planet with 8 billion would be a impossible task if people could only be sent back a few times before going bonkers.
The virus was already released when he opened the vial while going through the TSA screening.
@@mildredhousefilms That is not how gravity works. Without wind or other the virus would not have escaped during that scene because the atmosphere inside the vial and outside it was at an equilibrium. The reason you see hot air rise up when you take a cooking lid off is because the air is hotter than the surroundings. In an opposite manner you can see ww1 gas attacks were the gas seeps into the trenches because its designed to be heavier than air even after it is turned into gas.
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!
great insight, lookin forward to seeing your other videos
As always, another great review! By far the BEST review channel on UA-cam
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!
Thank you for reviewing this film. It has been on of my favorites for years. Now I have a reason to watch it again.
thanks for another great upload, I've always enjoyed your work
Just finished watching it again after many years. Love your retrospective series Oliver.
Well done as always Oliver!
Always found this movie very unsettling but i like watching it from time to time, i love movies that mess with your head!:)
this. I remember watching it when I was 13yrs old and it screwed with my mind for weeks...
Geneforson i must have been about that age too!:)
Speaking of Gillian-directed films, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on *Brazil*.
God Madeleine Stowe makes my heart ache in this movie!! So beautiful!!
So gorgeous...
it´s time for the fight club review.
Oliver, I'd love to see you review Fargo. That'd be awesome...
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...
Great job Oliver! One of my fav movies of all time!
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.
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.
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.
Excellent trailer at the end there, Oliver.
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!
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.
Your insight and intellect are a gift, thanks for the great content!
In my world its Gilliams 2nd best, Brazil being his best. Great retro-review on a great, great movie :-)
+Ratshag ! Time Bandits is also classic Gilliam...very odd and not really much of a happy ending....have always considered all three films (actually four if you include Zero Theorem) existing in the same(ish) universe/reality
and to quote the cheshire cat form wonderland "we're all mad here Alice"
I love all of his movies (with the exception of The Brothers Grimm)
I Haven't seen Tideland yet, though.
awesome review dudes!!!
Great choice of film to review. I've watched this movie many times and found myself having to take notes. Good review Ollie.
Another great review, thanks!
Maybe it's the CoronaVirus, It's Heeeeeere .
Not funny as we sit here under lock down today.
Yes it reminds of today's pandemic cov19.
@@rdecredico Hour the only one making that assumption. Hmmm
2 months ago it was a joke. Now it's a terrifying possibility
It's not, not yet. It must be the next virus or the one of the viruses after that
Solid video. And nice montage in the end.
This movie has unfinished business, it deserves a sequel!!!!
The man was not stopped!!!!
i just found this channel, this guys videos are incredible.
Thanks Andrew!
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.
But James got killed. So he can’t be the older guy. The older guy didn’t even know who “James” was.
Brads incredible charm is warped into a great performance as an insane trustifarian
It's the Animal Kingdom they want they're Planet Back .
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.
thanks for this, helped in my essay about the metaphysics of it greatly
love that trailer at the end
I had always assumed the ending scene with the scientist from the future on the same plane with the bio-terrorist guy was a little jab put in by Gilliam, something he likes to do. She says, as far as I can remember "I'm in insurance". The jab being that you realize that she, and probably the others running the whole show in the future, aren't actually scientists; they're just normal people who had some amount of power and influence when the bull-squeeze hit the fan. With the kind of dark comedy styling of Gilliam, that's the final twist of the knife that I would expect from him.
However, the term she used, "insurance" could have a double meaning, supporting your theory that she was sent back as insurance that the viable sample was returned. I always thought she looked significantly younger in the plane scene as opposed to the future, but it's been a couple of years since I've seen this one. I'll have to check it out again.
Turner Mayo the reason why she looked younger was that she was wearing make up
Idk because Terry Gilliam didn’t write the film and said it was difficult to direct on another persons script on preserving the vision and doing his own thing. He also said he didn’t want to have this scene with the lady meeting the virologist because “it ruins the emotional impact” if Cole accomplished something.
Also, maybe you’re on to something with the double meaning, since Cole did actually change something (Terry didn’t want it this way though) she’s there to get the virus to find the cure, maybe it was or maybe it wasn’t but it’s neat to think about.
I don't think they're not scientists. How a bunch of powerful people would find out about freaking time travel and make it happen?
@@Henrique.Souza0601 This is deep cut. You're right, if they weren't scientists, how was time travel invented? I still tend towards my dark idea that noone really knew how to fix this, but what's your take?
@@mrgbig6237 I go with the simple explanation. I believe in Jose when he says "you did it" after Bruce sends the new message talking about who was the real guy that spread the virus. I believe in the original timeline, Brad Pitt was responsible for spreading the virus (since he's seen in one of Bruce's flashback as the man running) and Bruce's actions changed it, and made it possible for him to track down exactly the responsible this time. The scientist next to the lab assistant in the airplane in the end means she went back to collect exact information about the virus to act in the future to find a cure. She's even talking music to the guy's ears when she says about human extermination. Probably the plan is to make him talk all about it so she can go back and do her business.
Very Helpful breakdown of the film. Thank you.
Brilliant movie, one of my all time favourites. Thanks!
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.
I didn't know a lot of the actors took a pay cut just to work with Gilliam, that's pretty cool.
The blu-ray has the absolute best behind-the-scenes doc I've ever seen.
Cassandra syndrome! Terry again was telling us what to be concerned about! Beautiful romantic sci-ti mind twisting brilliance!
A very underrated movie! Good review!
One of my all time favorite films. Amazing storytelling,
In my opinion, the ultimate theme of this movie is HOPE our hopefulness in the face of reality. Reality, here is dark, and murky, it's kinda left up to our individual interpretations. I think this was, the Gilliam's intent. The sad ending, it's ambiguity that's left to us to define how hopeful we are deep inside. All the other stuff, the time travelling etc, though highly cinematic, is just besides the point, really I see the evil bio-terrorist, a scientist, being stopped , in the end. After all the scientist from the future was sent as an insurance, incase Cole failed, he did. I believe she won't. That's just a gauge of how hopeful, I am as a person..
@Frank Castle When she shakes his hand, or maybe just sitting next to him, she's already dead. When she goes back to the future (pun intended) she will have the virus sample for them to study and she will die for it.
I strongly disagree.
The theme of the movie is _doom._
We are, all of us, doomed to be dragged in the wake of petty bureaucrats and mindless enforcers driving us over a cliff.
Great montage at the end
That actually makes me feel better about the ending...I always assumed it was a statement about futility and coincidence, with the lady scientist being next to the bioterrorist, but it never made sense why she didn't age in all the years...but to say they are aware of the trail in the future and sent her back to the past to meet the bioterrorist and gather more information, is much more optimistic...
The studio made Terry Gilliam add that ending in because they were afraid audiences would find his original ending (Cole watching himself get shot, then fade to black) too bleak.
@@semperconstance iirc that is much closer to the ending of the original
@@foodank_atr817 - That's correct. That's exactly how La Jetée ends. The producers, however, didn't think American audiences could handle it.
I've never seen this movie, so I didn't know John McClane appeared bald before Die Hard 4
Superb!!
In the end , it was never about changing the course of the future permanently, Cole was played by the scientist...the scientist wanted to replay that time accordingly to get next to the man who spreads the virus , love this movie
But why did she want to get next to the guy who spread the virus? To stop him? Does she know it’s him?
@@mike44b to get access to the virus to get the cure in the future. They say it literally the whole movie but still people theorize all kind of things. He went back, changed stuff (Brad Pitt was the responsible for the virus first, that's shown in one of the flashbacks/dreams he was the one running in the airport) and he ended up changed with his father's assistant because of Bruce's actions. Anyway the virus will always be spread and he will always die in front of his kid version. In the end, the scientist being there and even saying she worked with insurance implies they're now close to the virus and closer to get a solution in the future, since the past can't be changed. Insurance means she's there to guarantee they'll live in the future without the virus.
"Brazil" is my favorite movie ever. "12 Monkeys" ranks #4 for me. No other director has two in my Top 10.
+MarciCow i'm guessing that Brazil is probably #2 or even #1 hovering near Blade Runner for good company
In my opinion there are three possible meanings of the ending which is genius. 1. Time can't be changed so it's a paradox, everything they do to alter the timeline in fact creates the timeline. The Cassandra paradox at its worst. 2. The scientists played Cole. They are in charge in the future and they send Cole back in order to create the future, where they are in power. It was never about the virus. It was about power. 3. Cole died but ultimately reached his goal. He found the scientist, who made the virus. And the scientist is in the plane to secure a sample of the original virus. Mankind is saved.
This is brilliant!
PS, I just realized that theory 1 and 3 can coexist. The scientists knew they can't change the past. Therefore he creates a paradox. But with the knowledge of the past in the present, they can save the future.
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.
Incredible intellect and show thank you.
Love all your reviews and been watching for over a year now. What is the soundtrack from that you use during the end homage sequence? Thanks...
Fun fact: Closest film to how actual time travel works.
Great Review Oliver now so fascinated about this movie i did see half the film from couple days in September. now that you review this movie defiantly want to see this whole movie. Great review Oliver exited for Predator Review from you good luck on that one so have nice day as always looking forward to your videos mate bye