In the future, criminals can and are apprehended before a crime is committed by a special crime prevention task force. The system is perfect it seems. Then an officer in the unit John Anderton is accused of murder. He then must set out and prove his innocence before it's too late in this Tom Cruise/ Steven Spielberg collaboration.
Last year Steven Spielberg directed what was essentially Stanley Kubrick's pet project in A.I. after the famed director passed away before he could direct it himself. That film was a science fiction drama that some didn't like because of its overlong length, a dearth of action, and a too familiar storyline that closely mimicked the classic Pinocchio tale. The general public didn't get what they expected from Spielberg in A.I. and they were not happy as a result. The same could be said about Tom Cruise and his last film, Vanilla Sky, as many people didn't embrace the far-out story of that ambitious drama. Now the very talented pair combine for another science fiction film, albeit an science fiction thriller this time around.
As always, Spielberg's direction is solid and certainly visually interesting. He stages the action sequences with abundant flair and makes the first 15-20 minutes of this film perhaps the most exciting moments in a film so far this year. Minority Report grabs you and doesn't let go for many minutes. A few problems do arise when Spielberg, a self-professed sentimental guy, turns to that old habit in the later portion of the film. The film starts dark and when it turns sentimental it may surprise viewers. This is one film that Spielberg didn't need to go sentimental because the change hurts the film.
Tom Cruise shaves his head for his role as the on-the-lam detective John Anderton. Thankfully, he doesn't give the public a new look and that's it. He manages to show the various emotions his newly outcast character must be feeling with the skill of someone who has been a comfortable performer in the world of film. Supporting performances by the likes of Colin Farrell and Max Von Sydow are very well done. Colin Farrell gets the task of being the principal man in charge of hunting down and punishing Cruise's Anderton and is able to make his role more than that of a caricature. As for the special effects, well, they are expectedly well done in what is a 100 million dollar extravaganza. Particularly, the scene where Cruise is jumping across a highway of hover cars sticks in my mind.
Overall, Minority Report is the perfect return to form for the talented pair of Spielberg and Cruise and well worth your money despite a few small but not major problems.
Rating: 89
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