Review of Minority Report (2002) by Matthew D — 18 May 2014

Steven Spielberg predicts the future way back in 2002!

Spielberg's direction is peerless as usual with beautiful shots, thrilling action, and groundbreaking ideas. The science fiction elements are pretty clever and forward thinking in Minority Report. This is a movie that blends Spielberg's usual theme of fatherhood with the ethics of law enforcement. Spielberg forces the audience to contend with the futuristic concept of pre-crime: arresting people before they intend to commit a crime. It's a fascinating concept executed in fantastic fashion by Spielberg's high tech machinery and fresh ideas.

Tom Cruise is the star of the show with his highly thoughtful approach to police work. We get to see Cruise take on parenthood, arrests, comedy, investigation, and action sequences alike. He is very compelling as the lead.

Furthermore, I enjoyed Colin Farrell and Max von Sydow's supporting performances a great deal. Their play their official positions with a stern authority. I think the acting in Minority Report is quite underrated. Even Samantha Morton plays the astonished precognitive Agatha with a curious fear that is always believable. Lastly, Peter Stormare delivers a hilarious cameo role with a fervent madness.

On the other hand, a few of the smaller roles all feel too campy and simplistic against the excellent main cast. You see odd characters popping up here and there that do not really fit the hyper serious tone of Minority Report.

Additionally, the run time feels perhaps a half hour too long. You are always engaged in the story until Cruise is offset by some of the weirder side characters who feel like time wasters. Minority Report is approximately 2 and a half hours long, but it feels like 3 hours due to too many extraneous chase scenes and eccentric supporting figures.

Overall, Minority Report is very intriguing with its mystery and investigation. Tom Cruise and Colin Farrell shine. The writing is quite realistic and the futuristic advancements are grounded. Some of the special effects look dated and it is bloated, but Minority Report is a great film.