Terry Gilliam has had a brilliant but difficult career. Finding his legs as a founding member and lone American in Monty Python he worked on their films and then embarked on a courageous journey directing interesting and smart films that were critically acclaimed but would sometimes have mixed results at the box-office. Thanks to the big names in the cast, 12 Monkeys was given a big release and was loved by critics and did well with audiences. It was also the first film to give Bruce Willis a chance to show what a truly great actor he can be.

Loosely based on a short film from France made up of still images called Le Jetee, 12 Monkeys is pure science fiction with a timeless love story at its core. Willis plays a prisoner in a future where man has been forced to live underground after a man-made virus has killed most of the population. He is selected to travel back in time not to stop the plague but to gather information about it in order to strengthen humans that they may walk the surface again. Plagued by a recurring dream and confused by the events and the effects of being sent back and forth through time he becomes unsure of what is real and what might be madness. Tired of being manipulated and deciding he is in love, he does his best to help “the scientists” but is too tangled in the scenario for a happy ending.

Willis does an amazing job of starting out as a regular guy and then running the gauntlet of emotions as his mind is blown at regular intervals. Madeline Stowe makes for a solid love interest as his sympathetic psychiatrist and Brad Pitt won a Golden Globe for supporting actor as the unhinged rich kid out to ruin his father and perhaps set off a plague. Also notable is Frank Gorshin (The Riddler in the 60’s Batman series) as a kooky doctor. Arrow’s Blu-ray looks and sounds beautiful so you can really admire the detail in the steam-punkish look to the underground scenes. Extras include a commentary with Gilliam and a feature length making of documentary that is fascinating.