THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 12, 1996 TAG: 9601120039
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALAN CHANG, TEENOLOGY MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
IN ``12 MONKEYS,'' it seems like every character is going ape.
Director Terry Gilliam brings us a new vision of the end of the world that is not caused by wars or earthquakes. Rather, it is brought about by the spread of a virus released by a maniac who wants to efface the human race.
In the future, humans are forced to live underground to avoid contact with the virus which was released sometime in 1996.
Bruce Willis plays James Cole, a convict serving a sentence of 25 years to life. In order to earn his pardon, he is given a mission to go back to the past and collect as much information as possible about the virus and to trace the mysterious group called the ``12 monkeys'' who supposedly released the virus.
His bizarre journey takes him to a psychiatric institution where he meets his shrink, Katherine Railly, played by Madeleine Stowe, and an insane maniac Jeffrey Goines, played by Brad Pitt. All three soon become entwined in the mystery.
Going crazy is what Brad Pitt does best in the movie, playing the loony Jeffrey. Instead of his usual role as a sexy hunk, we get to see a very different side of Pitt. His scene-stealing performance always brings relief to the movie's gloomy atmosphere.
Talk about major deja vu. Throughout the movie we see recurring images in the future and in the present. In a few instances, Kathryn and James feel as though they have known each other before. These occurrences confuse James as he tries to piece them together.
What is more frustrating for impatient viewers is the fact that the film seems to have no point. Like ``Pulp Fiction,'' the whole purpose of the movie is revealed in the end, the mysteries resolved.
``12 Monkeys'' is an intriguing sci-fi mystery thriller that keeps the audience guessing until the end. Although the presence of Brad Pitt in the movie may be the main attraction, the movie itself is just as appealing. MEMO: Alan Chang is a senior at Kempsville High School. ``12 Monkeys'' is
rated R. Children under 17 not admitted without a parent or guardian.
by CNB