12 Monkeys 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 82
from 6 reviewers
Review Date:
12 Monkeys on 4K UHD by Arrow is highly recommended, merging complex storytelling with superb audiovisuals, albeit with minor flaws.
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Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Vision
DTS-HD MA
Video: 84
12 Monkeys' 4K UHD release by Arrow Video, approved by Gilliam, enhances its visual depth and color but faces criticism for a disc error and its intentionally gritty aesthetic.
Audio: 80
The 12 Monkeys audio review highlights detailed and immersive DTS-HD MA 5.1 and PCM 2.0 tracks, with a focus on clarity, ambiance, and effective use of surrounds, despite slight LFE limitations.
Extra: 78
This UHD edition of 12 Monkeys features repeat bonus content from prior releases, including a commentary with Gilliam and Roven, The Hamster Factor documentary, interviews, and archives, enriched by a collectible booklet and reversible sleeve in its first pressing.
Movie: 89
12 Monkeys, a Terry Gilliam masterpiece, navigates time-travel's complexities in a dystopian world, artistically blending insanity, love, and existential crises, wrapped in visually intricate sets and potent performances, inviting viewers into a surreal, cerebral experience.
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Video: 84
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "12 Monkeys," meticulously restored and presented by Arrow Video, offers a significant upgrade from previous home video editions, especially the 2018 Arrow Video release and the 2009 Universal Studios Blu-ray. Utilizing the original 35mm camera negatives, the film underwent a 4K 16-bit scan at EFilm, Burbank, followed by a restoration and HDR color grading (HDR10 and Dolby Vision) at Silver Salt Restoration, London. This process was closely supervised and approved by director Terry Gilliam, ensuring fidelity to his vision. The movie is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, with enhanced stereo and 5.1 audio mixes remastered by NBC Universal, aiming for the most authentic auditory experience.
Despite its undeniable enhancements in resolution, grain management, and color depth, the 4K presentation of "12 Monkeys" navigates the challenges inherent to its source material. The cinematic techniques utilized by Gilliam, including diffusion filters and a broad range of lenses, contribute to an intentionally gritty and stylistically hazy aesthetic that doesn't always benefit from increased clarity. Yet, in many instances, especially in scenes lush with detail or rich in contrast, this new scan excels, revealing intricate textures and nuances previously lost. The HDR grading elevates the visual experience, deepening blacks and enriching colors to offer a more dynamic and immersive viewing. Highlights are tighter, and shadow details are more discernible, despite the haziness imposed by the original cinematographic choices.
Notably, this release is not without its faults. A peculiar defect concerning repeated footage and slight audio misalignment during a critical sequence has been identified, detracting from an otherwise stellar transfer. While such issues may not significantly impact all viewers, enthusiasts familiar with "12 Monkeys" could find these inaccuracies momentarily jarring. Arrow Video has acknowledged these concerns, suggesting a potential corrective action in the future. Despite this hiccup, the 4K UHD presentation of "12 Monkeys" stands out as a commendable effort to preserve and enhance the film's unique visual style, offering a richer and more detailed viewing experience that respects Gilliam's original artistic intentions.
Audio: 80
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "12 Monkeys" delivers an engaging auditory experience, primarily via its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track which impressively opens up the soundstage with precise separation across the front channels. The surround channels immerse the viewer in a world of ambient sounds, from bustling crowds and traffic to atmospheric weather conditions and the titular monkeys. The audio presentation shines in its delivery of dialogue—crisp, clear, and with purposeful directionality that enhances the viewing experience. Notably, the film's score is meticulously spread across the speakers, creating an enveloping surround environment. While the bass offers tight and controlled support, the low-frequency effects (LFE) are somewhat restrained, never overwhelming but adequately reinforcing the overall sound mix.
Comparatively, the addition of an LPCM 2.0 stereo track presents an alternate auditory experience that accentuates dialogue, making it more prominent in the mix. This version might appeal to purists or those seeking a different perspective on the film’s sound design. Despite some unique mixing decisions that occasionally bury dialogue under layers of effects—in true Gilliam style—the stereo track and the 5.1 mix both ensure that key elements of the soundscape, including Paul Buckmaster's evocative score, are clear and distinct. These audio options offer viewers a choice between a more dialogue-forward presentation and a dynamic surround sound experience.
Both audio tracks preserve the film’s intricate sound design with fidelity, ensuring that voices and effects transition smoothly across channels to enhance the sense of disorientation and mania central to the film’s narrative. The 5.1 track, in particular, demonstrates a commendable balance, with dialogue always emerging cleanly from the center channel and minor ambient sounds filling crowded scenes without detracting from clarity. Although the LFE channels may not deliver ground-shaking power, they provide sufficient depth to action sequences. Above all, the audio presentation respects the original sound design’s integrity while offering a fresh listening experience that complements the visually stunning 4K transfer.
Extras: 78
The 4K UHD edition of "12 Monkeys" brings together a comprehensive collection of extras that fans of Terry Gilliam's work will greatly appreciate. Noteworthy is the audio commentary with Gilliam and producer Charles Roven, providing insightful details on the making of the film, despite slight editing from the original LaserDisc version. The standout feature-length documentary, "The Hamster Factor and Other Tales of Twelve Monkeys," directed by Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe, offers an in-depth look at the movie's production through engaging behind-the-scenes footage. Additional materials include an interview with Gilliam recorded at the 1996 London Film Festival, an appreciation segment by Ian Christie, and a visually rich Twelve Monkeys Archive. While most of these extras are repeats from previous releases, their inclusion here underscores the enduring fascination with Gilliam's vision and the film's legacy. The packaging also features a reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork, enhancing the collectible appeal of this release.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio commentary: With Terry Gilliam and producer Charles Roven
- The Hamster Factor and Other Tales of Twelve Monkeys: Feature-length making-of documentary
- The Film Exchange with Terry Gilliam: 1996 interview with Gilliam and critic Jonathan Romney
- Appreciation by Ian Christie: Analysis and appreciation of the film by the author of Gilliam on Gilliam
- The Twelve Monkeys Archives: A collection of storyboards, design sketches, behind-the-scenes photos, and more
- Theatrical trailer
- Reversible sleeve: Featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
Movie: 89
Terry Gilliam’s 1995 film "12 Monkeys," presented in stunning 4K UHD Blu-ray by Arrow Video, continues to stand as a testament to the director's prowess in weaving complex narratives within equally complex settings. Highly reminiscent of his earlier masterpiece, Brazil, yet imbued with its unique essence, "12 Monkeys" delves into the convoluted realms of time travel, existential quandaries, and the thin line separating sanity from insanity. Gilliam, despite being somewhat of a 'director for hire' at this juncture in his career, was captivated by the film's intricate screenplay, which allowed him the freedom of final cut. This liberty, however, did not prevent clashes with producers, especially Charles Roven, but these conflicts inadvertently contributed to the film’s depth and uniqueness. The narrative intricacies—featuring a future criminal's journey back in time interwoven with themes of love, destiny, and haunting premonitions—demand viewers' keen attention, promising new layers of insight upon subsequent viewings.
The cast's fortuitous composition, somewhat influenced by studio preferences, worked remarkably in the film's favor. Bruce Willis and Madeleine Stowe delivered nuanced performances that deviate from their usual roles, enriched by Brad Pitt’s unrestrained acting that contributed significantly to his rise in stardom around that time. Gilliam’s distinctive set designs create a visual narrative that resonates with his previous work, adding to the film’s allure and engrossing storytelling style. This attention to detail in both narrative and aesthetic aspects underpins "12 Monkeys’" enduring appeal, testament to Gilliam's distinctive vision and creative persistence despite production challenges.
Despite any minor script-related criticisms regarding its depth in exploring technological and societal themes, "12 Monkeys" undoubtedly remains a compelling psychodrama that engages its audience on intellectual levels. Through its exploration of modernity, determinism, and the fluid boundary between rationality and madness, the film invites viewers into a richly chaotic vision of time and memory. Arrow Video’s 4K UHD presentation not only enhances the visual experience but underscores the film’s significance in Gilliam’s oeuvre and science fiction cinema. It’s a must-watch for enthusiasts seeking a film that challenges conventional narratives while offering a visually stunning experience.
Total: 82
Terry Gilliam's "12 Monkeys" emerges once again as a compelling cinematic journey, more relevant and haunting in its narrative than ever before. This cult sci-fi classic, known for its intricate storytelling and unyielding grip on reality's more sinister aspects, benefits immensely from Arrow Video's leap into 4K UHD. The meticulous restoration results in a native 4K image that strikes a delicate balance between detail and filmic authenticity. Colors are vivid yet natural, black levels deep without swallowing detail, and whites that manage to be strong without overpowering. The film's grain structure is preserved, enhancing its cinematic quality while a DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround track envelops the viewer in its complex world. Additionally, Arrow has wisely carried over all previously available supplements to this release, with notable extras such as "The Hamster Factor" documentary, truly augmenting the viewing experience.
Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt deliver some of their most memorable performances here, elevating Gilliam’s vision of a dystopian future to unprecedented heights. Despite a notable video error, the Dolby Vision HDR presentation is almost reference quality, showcasing the technical prowess of Arrow Video's restoration team. The inclusion of a fan-friendly supplemental package and a collectible booklet only make this 4K UHD edition more appealing. While Arrow continues its practice of not bundling the 4K UHD releases with their 1080p counterparts, the quality of this release largely compensates for any perceived shortcomings.
In conclusion, while "12 Monkeys" in its 4K UHD iteration by Arrow Video may not capture perfection in a seamless manner—owing partly to a significant video imperfection—the overall package remains remarkably close to ideal. Its visual presentation breathes new life into Gilliam’s masterpiece, complemented by stellar audio and enriching extras. Whether you're a long-time admirer or a newcomer to this prophetic narrative, this release reaffirms "12 Monkeys" as an essential inclusion in any 4K library. Despite slight reservations, it comes with a strong recommendation for those ready to dive back into its disturbed yet mesmerizing world.
avforums review by Simon CrustRead review here
Video: 90
Grain Gilliam’s knack of using softer focus, a wide variety of lenses and sweeping movements means that the original source is never going to be pristine or digital looking; however, with that caveat,...
Audio: 80
The surrounds provide plenty of ambience, Cole’s inner voice (the one calling him Bob) bounces nicely around the room further adding to the confusion, while effects come thick and fast; be it crowd, traffic,...
Extras: 90
The Twelve Monkeys Archives Theatrical trailer Reversible sleeve – Featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin Illustrated collector’s booklet – Only included on the first pressing,...
Movie: 90
That did not mean there were no battles with the producers, most notably Charles Roven, whose own creative input often clashed with that of the director, but instead of becoming an impasse, a strange,...
Total: 90
Complex As a 4K UHD the set from Arrow is pretty good; the newly scanned native 4K image is detailed, well coloured with good blacks and strong white scale, yet maintains a filmic nature with a good grain...
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 80
The same sort of variances in the grain field that are recurrently noticeable in Arrow's 1080 version are only magnified here, and there are some pretty rough looking moments as a result (the opening vignette...
Audio: 90
The addition of a stereo track may or may not be welcomed by some fans of the film, but the LPCM 2.0 audio on this release is at times interestingly divergent from the also included DTS-HD Master Audio...
Extras: 80
*Commentary by Terry Gilliam and Charles Roven *The Hamster Factor and Other Tales of Twelve Monkeys (HD; 1:27:34) is a great archival piece by Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe which documents the production...
Movie: 90
Because of that aforementioned glut of releases, I can point you to both my 12 Monkeys Blu-ray review for those wanting to see what the 1080 release from Arrow had to offer, and/or to Ken Brown's 12 Monkeys...
Total: 80
That said, it comes pretty darned close a lot of the time, and while this new 4K UHD release may not hit the bullseye all of the time, it, too, comes pretty darned close a lot of the time....
The Digital Bits review by Tim SalmonsRead review here
Video: 95
The lower resolution visual effects stick out more than ever, but the new grade enhances the color palette, particularly the blacks, which are deeper and richer in detail than was apparent in 1080p....
Audio: 90
The stereo track gives more appreciable focus to the dialogue, while the 5.1 mix opens the rear speakers up for more aggressive sound effects, including those aided by low frequency activity....
Extras: 75
Note that a Japanese DVD release of the film included an interactive timeline feature, as well as a short making-of featurette, while the original DVD release contained a set of production notes, none...
Movie: 90
Featuring traces of Brazil, Time Bandits, and even his disastrous but underappreciated The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Monkeys was an amalgam of everything Gilliam had learned as a director up to...
Total: 88
Arrow Video’s second time out with the title adds nothing new in the extras department, but provides a fine upgrade to 4K Ultra HD (the error notwithstanding)....
DoBlu review by Matt PaprockiRead review here
Video: 80
Arrow’s effort isn’t awful by any means, just limited by the material, and for that, it’s hard to see a reason to upgrade....
Audio: 80
One brief scene takes place in WWI, where bullets and mortar shells sweep about the soundstage....
Extras: 80
On the 4K disc AND the Blu-ray, Terry Gilliam joins producer Charles Roven for a commentary track, this followed by the stellar The Hamster Factor, a near 90-minute making-of with spectacular footage from...
Movie: 100
“Wrapped in a time traveling, seedy sci-fi movie is director Terry Gilliam’s look at psychosis and how we define “crazy.”...
Total: 85
12 Monkeys’ disturbed, surreal take on psychosis and truth perfectly fuses to a high-end studio sci-fi production....
High-Def Digest review by M. Enois DuarteRead review here
Video: 90
Shot almost entirely with a mix of diffusion filters and stockings over the lens depending on the scene, the video comes with an intentionally hazy, dreamy gaze where contrast balance is noticeably subdued,...
Audio: 80
These same moments come alive when applying the receivers' Auro-3D up-mixing functionality, convincingly extending the soundfield into the top heights with various atmospherics and creating a more pleasant,...
Extras: 60
Audio Commentary with director Terry Gilliam and producer Charles Roven The Hamster Factor and Other Tales of 'Twelve Monkeys' (1080i/60, 87 min)...
Movie: 90
The film is a wonderfully grim and chaotic vision exploring the fine line between madness and sanity, determinism, self-destruction, and the lack of communication....
Total: 80
Overall, and in spite of the aforementioned error, this UHD edition still scores enough to make a recommended addition to the 4K library albeit with some reluctance....
AVSForum review by Ralph PottsRead review here
Video: 92
is an entertaining sci-fi adventure that features a multifaceted narrative that bears up quite well over time....
Audio: 84
Extras: 90
12 Monkeys Ultra HD Blu-ray FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collectible booklet featuring writing on the film by Nathan Rabin and Ian Christie Theatrical trailer Reversible sleeve featuring original and...
Movie: 80
In 1996, a deadly virus is unleashed by a group calling themselves the Army of the Twelve Monkeys, destroying much of the world's population and forcing survivors underground....
Total: 87
is an entertaining sci-fi adventure that features a multifaceted narrative that bears up quite well over time....
Director: Terry Gilliam
Actors: Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt
PlotIn a dystopian future, humanity is forced underground by a deadly virus that has decimated 99% of the world's population. The virus's origin is believed to be tied to an eco-terrorist group known as the Army of the Twelve Monkeys. To uncover information about the disease, scientists devise time travel technology and recruit James Cole, a convict, for the dangerous mission. Cole's objective is to traverse the pre-apocalyptic world of the 1990s to locate the pure virus before it mutates, allowing scientists in his own time to study it and develop a cure.
Cole's journey through time is fraught with confusion and mistakes. Initially sent to the wrong year, he is hospitalized in a psychiatric facility where he meets Dr. Kathryn Railly, a psychiatrist, and Jeffrey Goines, an erratic patient with radical environmentalist views. Once Cole manages to convince Dr. Railly of the impending viral apocalypse, the two work together to track the path of the virus's outbreak, all the while Cole's own grip on reality wavers as he faces the surreal experience of time travel and the overwhelming pressure of his mission to save humanity from its grim fate.
Writers: Chris Marker, David Webb Peoples, Janet Peoples
Release Date: 05 Jan 1996
Runtime: 129 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English, French, Latin, Spanish, German