Minority Report (DVD) (RESCHEDULED) > Reviews > Interesting, but lacking...

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Indifferent to it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Satisfactory
Special Effects	Good
How does it compare to similar films?	Satisfactory

Advantages:	the storyline and issues, visuals
Disadvantages:	Cruise, lack of character depth

Recommend to potential buyers:

no

Full review

Minority Report, basically, is a futuristic film (based on a short story by Philip K. Dick) where criminals get caught before they commit the act ('pre-crime'). Tom Cruise plays an officer accused by such a method, who then has to prove his innocence, before the act is committed. What makes it an interesting and complex film is the blend of issues involving paranoia and personal choice (very reminiscent of the original author), as well as society and its morals. The idea that criminals can be accused before they commit the crime surely cancels out any notion that the person might change their minds about committing the crime at all and have some sort of effect over their destiny. This makes the theme and storyline an interesting one.

Visually the film is excellent - with very detailed, thought-out scenes of the future - all in shades of blue and grey (why is there never any colour in the future?), mass-advertising, futuristic cars, very clean and functional. The idea of a 'Big Brother'-style power that can see all that goes on strikes a chord as we can see this happening more and more in the current world. The action scenes are also excellent and involving. The acting is good too, especially from Samantha Morton as one of the 'pre-cogs', who are the visionaries in a floating pool, spying on the future.

But it left me cold. I did not warm to the characters or to the storyline particularly, although the idea was interesting. In fact it reminded me a lot of Bladerunner - good ideas, well directed, but ultimately without a real heart to it. I found it surprising that it was a Spielberg movie - for me the essential 'Spielberg magic' was lacking. Overall I would say worth a watch merely because of visuals and the storyline but I just wasn't completely convinced by it, and would hesitate to recommend it to everyone.