After our screening of La Jetee on Monday, I was left quite bewildered as to what the story was trying to tell me. I understood some of the story, such as that they were going back in time from a post-apocalyptic style future, but little more than that.
The storytelling style was something that reminded me of a kind of radio play, or a story told using pictures and sound effects on a children's TV program. Taking into consideration the time it was made in (around the time of the French New Wave) I can take into account any styles I am not familiar with. However, the story itself is a bit difficult to comprehend, and even the Hollywood version of it, Twelve Monkeys, can be a bit bewildering at times.
Overall it's nice to see how both stories differ and how they are both similar. The pure nature of the original, the length and style and such lends itself to be a simpler story. The core elements of the story are there, but from what I can gather the protagonist is collecting information in a lot more simplistic way than in the Hollywood version, and it almost feels a lot more calm and freely flowing than the Hollywood version. Whereas in the Hollywood version you have Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt stomping around, with a more action feel to it and a more sinister undertone, the story has been fleshed out to create a larger sense of good and evil, of a distinct purpose. Although it is catering to a more action hungry, and less patient audience.
Personally, I preferred the original for its unique style of storytelling and it is visually intriguing throughout, although it is a bit confusing. The Hollywood version has its benefits too, in a sense you gain a greater understanding of the story and that helped me appreciate the original more, however it is a good film in its own right. I just don't go for that kind of action thing. I feel that the original told the story well enough without needing to do all of that.
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