Minority Report

Cast, Etc.
Dir. Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Max Von Sydow, Samantha Morton, score by John Williams, rated PG-13, 2002

Synopsis
A "pre-crime" policeman is tagged as a future murderer.

Review
One of the most interesting and hotly-debated topics is that of free will. Do humans have free will or are all our actions pre-determined? Minority Report takes this issue and expands upon it in one of the most intriguing movies of 2002. Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick, author of such works as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (made into the film Blade Runner), Minority Report shows us a world of 2054 A.D. in which the District of Columbia has instituted a "pre-crime" division of their police force. This division makes use of three persons known as the "precogs," short for "pre-cognitives." These three people lie in a nutrient-stocked fluid which, apparently, heightens each of their ESP abilities. The precogs see into the future and are able to accurately "see" future murders being committed. It is the job of the precrime division, headed by Chief John Anderton (Cruise), to interpret the erratic images coming into the system and prevent the murders from taking place. The "perpetrator" is then taken into custody for the "future murder of . . ." and placed in stasis. Washington D.C. has, under this system, basically erradicated murder. Anderton finds himself as the leading proponent of the precrime division as the entire country is set to vote on instituting a nationwide version of D.C.'s operation. However, an Attorney General's aide, Danny Witwer (Farrell), is under orders to investigate the system and determine if there is any chance that the precogs could ever be wrong. During routine job duties, Anderton finds himself as the focus of one of the previsions, and all heck breaks loose. Advertised under the slogan "Everybody Runs," Minority Report follows Anderton as he runs and tries to unravel a mystery as to why he would murder someone he's never met. What follows is an extremely interesting and thought-provoking film about the nature of free will. Director Steven Spielberg has crafted a completely believable world of the near future, having gathered top scientific minds to brainstorm what technology might be like at that time. The film is presented in a sort of "bleached" look, with all the colors toned down to a permeating blue/gray tinge. It's not a happy future we're presented. Cruise does a fine job in the role of someone fighting a system in which he completely believes. The idea and system of precrime (if you're willing to accept the possibility of such) and is presented well and is believable. The images gathered from the precogs are well done as they are not "film strips" of action, but rather snippets and pieces of fuzzy and sometimes distorted visions. A mystery within the mystery of Anderton committing a premeditated murder (interesting in and of itself since the precogs can see premeds much further in advance than crimes of passion) heightens the conflict and delves deep into the structure of the system. Farrell is very good as the priest-turned-police Witwer, bringing up the heavy social and spiritual issues surrounding the division, and Von Sydow is excellent as one of the system's creators. The entire effect of the film is one of uneasiness as to the "big brother-ness" of the future.

Highlights
the visual presentation of the future; the technology; the spiders; the precogs; eyes

Rating
I give this film a red wine rating; there's a lot going on here, much of it going beyond just a movie experience. As a sci-fi/action film, it's excellent; plenty of action and plenty of "what ifs." The villain (whom I won't name) is very good. The score by Williams is dark and disturbing and works perfectly within the story.