Bruce Willis' temporal adventure in the mid-nineties somehow foreshadowed an iconic moment from another of the actor’s movies that wouldn’t premiere until the end of the decade. Widely regarded as one ofBruce Willis' best sci-fi movies, the project in question cleverly played - perhaps unknowingly - to its main genre label. AlthoughWillis is best known for his action hero roles, his versatility across several movie categories is demonstrated across these two films.
As well as standing out in Willis' filmography, the movie in question that made such a precise prediction about the actor’s near future is hailed as one of thebest time travel movies of all time. The mind-bending story can be perceived in different ways, depending on which character’s point of view is adopted by the audience. Of course, Willis' character makes the most sense in this regard, but there are other options.
12 Monkeys “Predicted” The Sixth Sense With A Line From Bruce Willis' Character
James Cole said a very similar line years before the famous moment in The Sixth Sense
Haley Joel Osment’s Cole Sear delivers the line “I see dead people” in a way that has made the moment in 1999’sThe Sixth Senseparticularly iconic. Osment’s scene partner for this famous line, Bruce Willis himself, uttered a startingly similar line in12 Monkeys. Surrounded by the bodies of those he’s just defeated,Willis'12 Monkeyscharacter says, “All I see are dead people.”
This 1995 Sci-Fi Movie Is Probably The Best Depiction Of Time Travel I’ve Seen
The underrated 1995 sci-fi gem 12 Monkeys, starring Brad Pitt, has arguably the most realistic portrayal of time travel ever put on screen.
Given thatThe Sixth Sensewouldn’t be released for a little over three years, it’s a compelling parallel. It could just be innocuous, but it’s hard to ignore in a movie about time travel. However,12 Monkeyshas another, albeit more coincidental, connection toThe Sixth Sense. Willis' character in the sci-fi movie is called James Cole, but goes largely by Cole.Osment’sSixth Sensecharacter’s first name is Cole. So, the characters who each utter such similar lines in their respective films both answer to the same name - and Bruce Willis is there on both occasions.
Cole’s “Escape” Scene In 12 Monkeys Also References Another Bruce Willis Movie
Die Hard’s ventilation shaft scene gets a nod in 12 Monkeys
Cole being recalled to 2035 from his cell in 1990 results in the illusion of him completely disappearing. Essentially, he does, but there’s a more sci-fi explanation than that. Regardless, while trying to solve the mystery of where Wills' character has gone, one of the doctors sarcastically suggests the most ridiculous notion he can think of. What’s interesting about his remark is thatit’s essentially a callback to a famous scene from Bruce Willis' 1988 action movie classic,Die Hard.
“Then are you trying to tell me a fully sedated, fully restrained patient somehow slipped out that vent, replaced the grill behind him, and is wriggling his way through the ventilation system?”
Cole’s escape doesn’t actually involve the method mentioned in12 Monkeys, but the moment quickly brings to mind John McClane’s famous use of the ventilation ducts at Nakatomi Plaza. In addition, the 1996 parts of the12 Monkeysmovie timelinetake place during the holidays. So, it could be argued that12 Monkeyscould also be endlessly debated as anotherBruce Willismovie fitting into the Christmas category - just likeDie Hardis.
12 Monkeys
Cast
In 12 Monkeys, convict James Cole (Bruce Willis) travels back in time to learn the origin of a man-made virus that has unleashed worldwide chaos in the future. Terry Gilliam’s 1995 sci-fi movie, which boasts a cast that includes Brad Pitt, Christopher Plummer, Madeleine Stowe, and David Morse, is based on Chris Marker’s 1962 short film La Jetée and originated a 2013 TV series adaptation.
