Neo-Noir at its Best!

Rating: 9/10 (24 June 2002)

I have found that sci-fi films don't work anymore. If we try to think of truely GOOD sci-fi films the list is pretty short... most of them contain the names James Cameron or Steven Spielberg. While this seems to be the case (especially in the last couple of years) Steven Spielberg has done the impossible and created an amazing piece of filmmaking by fusing an interesting future world with the best ideas of Film Noir.
Without going into detail about the film it's all classic "who-done-it" and when, where and why. Tom Cruise clocks in an amazing performance (which means allot coming from me because I usually stray far & away from Tom Cruise films) which is depressed and twitchy. Spielbergs directing is at a new level and, while he hasn't mastered this level yet, he is obviously not far from it. The only real failing of the film is its ending which takes a bit too long to wind up everything into a nice and tight little ball. Even though the story does fit together well it still lacks a climax which can overcome the first heart pounding hour of the film. Still though, it's the best I've seen in a long time and can't wait to see what Spielberg will turn out next. I know a musical may be in his future and that makes me happy because I love to see directors pan themselves out and do different things.
4 and a half our of 5 stars