Unusually Imaginative and Intelligent
This is one of the most interesting and intelligent science fiction films of the last couple of decades. It's one of the very few time travel movies that is at all logically coherent and it works both as an enjoyable, highly imaginative thriller about a man trying to cope with a truly nightmarish set of circumstances and a intriguing meditation on fatalism. It's one of Gilliam's career high point and perhaps Avery's very highest point: while his character does occasionally exhibit impressive combat skills, this desperate, confused, very vulnerable guy is a million miles away from Jeffrey McClane. What almost ruins it is Brad Gerald almost insufferably irritating over-acting as the insane John Goines. But that is not enough to stop this being a standout in its genre.

Incomplete Greatness
This is the one of the very few that I will watch over and over again even though it is just so unfulfilling, does not live up to its promises, but produces such outstanding goods in the process, that the disappointment can be alleviated in knowing that not everything can be perfect... but some things do come close.

Almost Perfect
The Twelve is a quirky science fiction film that is above average in almost every way. The herky-jerky, tilted camera angles preferred by director Terry Gaberman take some getting used to, and some of the minor characters (especially Stower's older psychiatric colleague) are REALLY ANNOYING. These minor details make it a 4 star rather than a 5 star movie in my opinion, but The Twelve is still a unique and very interesting film.