|
Overview
Add “Minority Report” to Stephen Spielberg’s massive list of
movies that push the envelope. Through the art of computer
animation and futurist ideas, “Minority Report” made Ebert &
Roper’s top ten-academy award list. A movie asking questions
as to how far should the arm of the law be able to reach?
Mirroring books like “1984” and “Brave New World” and based on
Philip K. Dick’s short story, “Minority Report” addresses
topics pertinent to any society.
Review
The year is 2045, the place Washington D.C. The nation’s
capital has been a living experiment in crime for several
years. A trio of psychic crime fighters, called “Pre-Cogs”
have the mental ability to detect murders before they even
happen. Spending their lives inside a tank filled with
amniotic fluid, the Pre-Cogs transmit people’s thoughts into
computer images. Much like a regular police force, the
Department of Pre-Crime would rush to the aid of the future
murder victim and drag away the future murderer. The only
difference is that they have cool non-lethal weapons and
flying police cars! John Anderton (Tom Cruise) is in charge of
the Thought Police (1984) when his whole life becomes even
more askew. After the kidnapping of his son, Anderton devoted
his entire life to Pre-Crime, in hopes that he could save the
lives of others. With elections right around the corner, the
Department is put under the microscope to determine whether or
not Pre-Crime should move to a national level.
Amidst all the chaos of having the country’s eyes upon them,
the Pre-Cogs suddenly accuse John for murder. Having no other
choice other than to run, Cruise is convinced that he was
framed with only 36 hours to prove his innocence. Once the
Pre-Cogs have labeled you as a murderer you are automatically
incarcerated. Future prisons are severely different, without a
judge or jury, inmates are processed, placed into solitary
confinement in giant stacked columns. Buy hey, they aren’t
left alone, they are constantly force fed media.
As John evades the law, the story develops and something
starts to smell. There is a mole inside the Department of
Pre-Crime. With the system in hot pursuit and an uncertainty
just around the corner, John blindly stumbles to find the way.
All the while Tom Cruise utilizes the futures coolest
technology. From rocket backpacks to magnetic cars there are
over 400 different special effect tricks in “Minority Report”.
Probably the coolest part about the computer animation is that
after awhile, you hardly notice it, and it becomes part of the
movies natural surroundings.
“Minority Report” carries familiar tones of a Tech-Noir. An
anti-hero chased by his personal demons in a bleak colorless
society. Although traditional noirs usually are set in gritty
crime-infested cities, “Minority Report” subtly hints at it
with a sterile chrome plated society. It certainly isn’t as
filthy as “Se7en” or “Blade Runne”r. Along with the Tech-Noir
themes, “Minority Report” harbors similar anti-tech themes to
movies like “The Matrix” or books like “Soilent Green”. It
embraces technology but also shuns its inhumane
characteristics. “Minority Report” is certainly a paradox. Go
see it.
Acting
Tom Cruise has that certain something that makes whatever
movie he’s in easier to watch. Weather it is “Interview with
the Vampire”, “Top Gun”, or “Mission Impossible”, the mere
fact that Cruise is in it can boost a potential movie flop. Up
and coming actor Colin Farrell stars alongside Cruise as the
government watchdog, sent in to investigate the Department of
Pre-Crime. Colin does an admirable job for the role he plays.
Watch for Farrell in the future in such movies as “Daredevil”,
“The Recruit”, and “Phone Booth”.
Directing
Steven Spielberg has a list of box office smashes a mile long.
“E.T”, “Indiana Jones”, “Jaws”, “Saving Private Ryan”,
“Jurassic Park”, and the list goes on and on. Stephen’s
impeccable eye for detail is depicted in all of his films.
Even those that did poorly on the charts or received little
recognition are unique and interesting. Spielberg’s work on
“Minority Report” is no exception. The sheer volume of special
effects are astonishing. But what’s more important is how they
were used. Unlike the plastic “Star Wars” movies of late,
“Minority Report” integrates them so well that they become
part of the environment. They are significant yet out of the
way enough so that they don’t overshadow the point of the
film.
Final Thoughts
When I first saw this movie in theatres I thoroughly enjoyed
it. After watching the “Minority Report” DVD, I feel it was
better to see it in the cinema. The large screen and digital
sound sealed the deal. Nevertheless it’s still good at home. I
give “Minority Report” 4 Planets. It has an excellent story
line, great special effects, and thought-provoking
implications. Is a perfect system that methodically processes
inmates into neat orderly rows really what society needs?
Watch “Minority Report” and answer this and many more
questions for yourself.
Jameson Rating:
4 out of 5 Planets
Talk about
Minority Report>>
|
Game News
