Nice flavor, with nothing to chew on

Rating: Null/10 (17 July 2002)

First off, Minority Report won't change how you view the world or anything like that. It's simply a well tailored mystery with eye-popping effects, much like Spielberg's A.I. The action sequences struck me as similar to those in Star Wars: Episode II, from the scene where Cruise hangs on to flying cars to the one where he's in a factory and avoids machinery while fighting. The futuristic touches really impressed me, but the fact that in 2054 we still have The Gap and Aquafina was also funny. The comedic touches, while odd, were not so jarring that it ruined the picture. Be warned that the plot is extremely complicated. DO NOT go to the bathroom or get more popcorn if you don't want to miss something. And if you DO wet your whistle, DON'T bug the person next to you about the scene you just missed. It's annoying, okay? Again, if you see something like Men In Black II and then see Minority Report, it requires a total change of mind-set. To conclude, here are some thoughts (SPOILERS):
1. In one scene, Cruise injects something into his neck and his face totally changes. I did not get the point of this, since I never saw how that helped him get inside Precrime Headquarters.
2. Why are the victims and perpetrators of precrime written out on little wooden balls? It is the year 2054, isn't it?
3. The ending seemed too happy after everything that came before it. ALL of the characters end up healthy and content? I'm thinking that Spielberg didn't want to bum anyone out...
So if you can stand hours of techno babble and like to follow mysteries (Jinkies!), then see Minority Report. 3 out of 4 stars.