"Minority Report" Gets Majority Vote At Theaters.
Minority Report
Rated PG-13 * Now Playing
Kent's grade: A
The Plot
Chief Paul Anderton (Tom Cruise) spearheads Washington D.C.'s Pre-Crime Unit. An
experimental branch of the State Department, "Pre-Crime" uses three infallible
precognitients, called "Pre-Cogs" to flawlessly project clues of impending crime.
But when Anderton is accused of a pre-crime murder that is to take place in 36 hours, he
scrambles to make sense of the accusations and clues. Since he doesn't recognize the
victim or surroundings, Anderton can't fathom a circumstance that would lead him to
commit murder.
In a society where one's every move is monitored, and there is no escape, Anderton
exercises his only alternative. He runs. Hunted by his co-workers and State Department
agent Danny Witwer (Colin Farrell), Anderton turns to his mentor, friend and Pre-Crime
Developer Lamar Burgess (Max Von Sydow).
Anderton realizes that one of two possibilities must be true. One is that the Pre-Cogs are
infallible, and he will commit a murder against his will. The other is that they are fallible,
and all that he has strived to create is for naught. What he fails to grasp is that any system
can be manipulated and this particular manipulation spells disaster for him.
KENT's take
"Minority Report" can easily, and accurately be described as an entertaining,
action-packed thriller. But that describes many recent releases. What sets this film apart is
who is behind the camera and production.
I liken director Steve Spielberg to a good president. Not only is he smart, he's intelligent
enough to surround himself with competent professionals. His production team's credits
include such films as "Schindler's List," "Saving Private Ryan," "Raiders Of The Lost
Ark," "Mission Impossible II," "Fight Club," and "Titanic," as well as an armful of Oscars.
Like most of Spielberg's other films, "Minority Report" has, at its core, a great story.
Working with a short story by science fiction Master Philip K. Dick, screenwriters Scott
Frank and Jon Cohen have developed a complex adaptation that both challenges our
intellect and our visions of the future.
The special effects work to enhance the story's impact, and to create a not-too-distant
future. When used properly, special effects are not just garnish. Instead, they tattoo the
story with believability. You'll know what I mean when you watch Anderton view his son's
image at home, when he arrives at his apartment and when he's on the run.
The "Minority Report" cast includes a mixture of break-through actors and seasoned
veterans that balances this film's action with subtlety. Cruise continues to impress with
another noteworthy performance. In addition, Von Sydow, Farrell and Samantha Morton
(as Pre-Cog Agatha) compliment Cruise and round out a talented group.
Add the unmatched skills of cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, editor Michael Kahn and
composer John Williams and you realize why Spielberg continues to use this outstanding
production team to create cinematic gems.
"Minority Report" is most definitely the sum of its parts. Part thriller, part pre-murder
mystery, this film will capture your imagination from the get-go and expand it as the reels
run.
Spielberg is a master at developing stories with humanity. Set in an unwelcoming future,
we root for Anderton as we realize his profound grief over the loss of his child has driven
him to success with pre-crime, but also to drug addiction and to the failure of his marriage.
How can you not pull for a guy who endlessly watches and longs for the beginnings of a
life he will never have?
"Minority Report" not only has all the elements that make a film a classic, these elements
are directed by Steven Spielberg. With a futurescape similar to "A.I.," this outstanding
story combines acting, production and special effects into a seamless thriller. "Minority
Report" will get a majority vote at theaters this summer.
© 2002 Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc.
Movie reviews by Carol Hemphill and Kent Tentschert
reelworld@timesnewspapers.com