film: review

> MINORITY REPORT (2002)
The dream team of Spielberg and Cruise measure up to all expectations!

By John C. Lyons
Film Critic

Starring: Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Written by: Philip K. Dick (short), Scott Frank (screenplay)

Genre: Action/Sci-Fi

Our Rating: 9 out of 10

In 2054 a test police force is formed which acts on the visions of "Precogs" (a group of three psychic humans) who can foresee murder. The team, led by John Anderton (Cruise), then receives the information and has enough time to study it before crashing in just before the event is to take place, and arresting the person(s) for Precrime. A cool idea. The system is perfect, there have been no murders in Washington D.C. since the project started, but are there holes in this system? As Anderton's face comes up as a killer, we follow him as he runs from the same men he worked alongside just hours before as he tries to discover who it is he is supposed to kill.

Minority Report has the exact look and feel of Spielberg's previous film A.I. Everything has a blue/metallic tone and an amazing world has been created for the film. Supposedly the director sat down with a think-tank of Futurists from around the world to brainstorm ideas on our world 50 years from now, and from the looks of it, nearly every thought is played out in some shape or form on-screen. Each place Anderton goes his retinas are scanned for identification and personalized advertisements (which are in every open space imaginable, just like today's Internet websites).

The film was a real treat to watch, both visually and mentally. The whole idea of a Precrime unit in society is quite an interesting idea, along with all the questions that it raises. The casting of Cruise, Farrell, and Morton was great. Congrats again to Cruise for choosing another challenging film (and continuing to surprise), and for finally working with Spielberg on this project. Their talents are not wasted here. Some of the twists and surprises are a little cliché and obvious, but there is enough here to make any sci-fi fan happy. If you like action, science fiction, gadgets, thrills, and eye-candy I highly recommend this movie to you!

I saw this film at the Tinseltown theaters on upper Peach Street in Erie.

PROs: The look and feel of the film (it is obvious Spielberg did his research), very entertaining.

CONs: Some key questions were never answered (i.e. Anderton's son - but maybe that's a good thing).

(02-715)

related links:

Minority Report - official site