SPOILER ALERT: If you have not seen the original twelve monkeys, i will be discussing key differences between the original and this, so if you don't want me to ruin the original, go and watch it before reading this.
This show is an intentional departure from the source material that deviates in about the same way as the bourne series, which is also a welcome departure from the original source material. In the bourne movies, the main antagonist, Carlos the Jackel, is left out to keep the series period appropriate and that changes the dynamic between bourne and treadstone and completely changes the ending as well as the sequels. (in the books the bourne supremacy is set in hong kong) But the main difference in 12 monkeys instead of subtracting an antagonist, is adding several. The army of the 12 monkeys is much more significant, and there appears to be a greater conspiracy surrounding the time loops. There is also a surrealist element to a lot of it, and suffice to say he doesn't die in the end, so whether this contains the same nihilistic tone as the original remains to be seen. Brad Pitts crazy character in the original is now played by a woman, but is not so different in character other than the fact that she has a weird psycho crush on him. It also explores a lot of his own future timeline and the society that he comes from, and bounces back and forth between many times, as well as explores the idea of time paradoxes very nicely, i thought.
So the biggest differences are actually exploring the things the original film never really got to touch on, which is kind of nice, it keeps it fresh, but its also source faithful where it counts. As far as adaptations go i have seen much, much worse. This show is probably moderately above average, although i wouldn't say it is one of my favorites, it is still well made and enjoyable to watch.
This show is an intentional departure from the source material that deviates in about the same way as the bourne series, which is also a welcome departure from the original source material. In the bourne movies, the main antagonist, Carlos the Jackel, is left out to keep the series period appropriate and that changes the dynamic between bourne and treadstone and completely changes the ending as well as the sequels. (in the books the bourne supremacy is set in hong kong) But the main difference in 12 monkeys instead of subtracting an antagonist, is adding several. The army of the 12 monkeys is much more significant, and there appears to be a greater conspiracy surrounding the time loops. There is also a surrealist element to a lot of it, and suffice to say he doesn't die in the end, so whether this contains the same nihilistic tone as the original remains to be seen. Brad Pitts crazy character in the original is now played by a woman, but is not so different in character other than the fact that she has a weird psycho crush on him. It also explores a lot of his own future timeline and the society that he comes from, and bounces back and forth between many times, as well as explores the idea of time paradoxes very nicely, i thought.
So the biggest differences are actually exploring the things the original film never really got to touch on, which is kind of nice, it keeps it fresh, but its also source faithful where it counts. As far as adaptations go i have seen much, much worse. This show is probably moderately above average, although i wouldn't say it is one of my favorites, it is still well made and enjoyable to watch.