12 Monkeys finally gets stellar treatment on DVD from Universal Home Entertainment with this special edition of the 1995 hit. Two previous movie-only DVD versions have been released through the years, but neither was able to touch the laserdisc release, which included the incredible Hamster Factor documentary and the commentary from Terry Gilliam and producer Charles Roven. For those that have been waiting to throw those valuable discs in storage, this is your chance. Both features have been added to this DVD, and rightly so! For those who don't know, The Hamster Factor and Other Tales of 12 Monkeys is a 90-minute making-of from the same people that brought you the fabulous Lost in La Mancha documentary, which Gilliam granted permission to film because of Hamster's success. The commentary is just as entertaining and informative, with both bonus features acting as a complimentary story of the long and arduous shoot, which in itself provides just as much drama and comedy as the actual film. Other extras include the original theatrical trailer, along with the 12 Monkey Archives, which is packed with plenty of production sketches and storyboards. Production notes have been included if anyone is interested, though the real good stuff lies in the rest of the extras and the all-new digitally remastered picture, which showcases the truly incredible anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen image that paired with the Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks make for a well done and highly in-demand disc that should do quite well on the rental and retail shelves.
Customer Rating
5
GREAT MOVIE
on August 22, 2008
Posted by: shawn213
from Johnson City, TN
OK, I don't normally write reviews but after reading the previous two, I had to. They didn't do the movie justice, they give you the idea that the plot is hard to follow. This statement can't be further from the truth. Yes, if you do actually sit down and watch the movie you should be able to pick up what is going on. But thats the catch, its a movie that makes you think, you actually have to use your noggin. The ending ties everything up nicely and in a moment of clarity you understand what happened, and in my opinion those are the best kind of movies. The kind that makes you think and then when it's over you go back to watch and then you can pick up on all of the little subtleties that were previously missed. I haven't even mentioned that this was probably one of Brad Pitt's greatest roles, he plays a great raving lunatic. Bruce Willis is great like always.
What's great about it: great plot, great diretor: Terry Gilliam, and awesome story.
What's not so great: I tried thinking of these but there is none to be found.