Everybody runs...

Rating: 10/10 (5 May 2009)

I used to think Tom Cruise couldn't act to save his life. Having seen "Minority Report", I now know better. He delivers a down-to-earth, realistic performance in a challenging role. Set in the future, in the year 2054, Cruise plays the chief of the Precrime Department. Basically, technology has evolved, and there is now a way to stop crimes from occurring. However, he falls victim to this "perfect" system when he himself is accused of committing a future crimeÂ… This is one of the most involving thrillers I have ever seen. The mystery behind the plot is rather cloudy at first, but once it starts to be explained, it becomes obvious who the perpetrator is. Collin Farrell (who was in "Phone Booth") delivers a solid performance as well, as does the rest of the cast.
Have I ever been disappointed by Spielberg? No, and for the record, I loved his unique portrayal of future times in Minority Report. Most films set in the future have a classic feel: the future looks nice and pretty on the outside, but underneath the surface, people are as disgruntled as ever. However, Spielberg doesn't go with any of that nonsense here. The colours are all dull, monochromatic, bleached out. The lighting is dark. It is a refreshingly bleak and hopeless outlook on the future.
In addition, Spielberg has the audience jump at all the wrong moments. No, perhaps I worded that poorly. What I meant was: oftentimes, the audience thinks Cruise is in danger, when in reality, there's nothing to worry about. Meanwhile, when the audience should be on the edge of their seat, Spielberg does nothing of the sort. It'll make sense when you see it.
Combine grand special effects, another amazing score by John Williams, strong performances, and Spielberg's capable direction, and you get a great movie.