Birthday.

The movie begins in the year 2035. Most of the world has been killed by a virus that broke out in 1997. James Cole (Bruce Willis) is sent back in time to find out what went wrong. There is a lot of religious symbolism at work. J. C. (interesting initials) is brought forth and resurrected from his underground prison in a virus proof suit (sinless). He explores the post-apocalyptic earth where animals roam free. As he enters a department store, doves fly over his head and a Christmas decoration angel "looks" down on him. An old newspaper article lets us know that the woes of the book of Revelation have happened. J. C. returns from his quests in time to give reports to the elders of his findings. This scene is like the boy Jesus confounding the priests in the temple. J.C.'s big discovery is a mysterious group called the 12 monkeys (a significant biblical number). J.C.'s mission is to save the world by discovering the source of the virus (sin) which brought death to the whole world. The unfortunate message in this film , like so many other science fiction thrillers is, "I have seen the future, and it ain't good, so why save such a deplorable world?" Why, indeed? One would really need to love the world in the same sense as God does (John 3:16).
Can Cole fulfill his mission and save the world? J. Cole is sent back in time, but to the wrong year - 1990, a full six years before the apocalypse. When he tells his story to the authorities, they naturally place him in a mental institution where he meets a canny inmate (Brad Pitt). J.C. is aided by a nice doctor (Madeleine Stowe) who, also, gives lectures on Bible prophecy.
Stowe travels with J.C. in a journey to Philadelphia where the virus originally broke out, to uncover all the information possible on a group known only as The Army of the Twelve Monkeys which, as it turns out, is headed by Brad Pitt. The city is filled with signs of the impending apocalypse including a dooms day prophet who preaches with a crucifix and... [continues]

Read full essay