No retort for Minority Report!

Rating: 9/10 (26 April 2013)

Minority Report is evidence that Spielberg kouldn't quite kick the Kubrickian phase after making Artificial Intelligence. But this time, he's traded in the cute little robot for suspense, jet packs and braintwister plot twists. In the future, crime can be predicted, projected and detected thanks to a handful of strong silent types who have arguably the hardest job of anyone in the world. They have to sit in a bathtup all day. These pruney "precogs" are the reason why Tom Cruise can kick so much ass before that ass even has a chance to kill. It's true you might be scratching your head a little. You might be wondering if these precog pool people have a right to leave their bathtub. You might be wondering why are they in a bathtub. You might also wonder why there are still old fashioned garbage shoots in a future that's so high- tech, we can see the swirly thoughts of precogs on a video screen. But don't worry! The action and suspense in this film are as plentiful as product placements. Let's see... there's Pepsi, Aquafina, Reebok, Nokia, Gap. There may even be a subliminal ad for hemroid cream. Minority Report isn't just a moody, neo-noir thriller either. There's a bit of slapstick to be enjoyed too. Witness a blindfolded Tom eating a moldy sandwich after having an eyeball transplant. The yucks continue as a computer Reports Cruise's eyes as those of a Minority when they are identified as a Japanese man's. Cruise turns in an emotive performance here as we see him break down and crack up more than once or twice. When he's not jumping around or hitching a ride on a jetpacker, he's shedding a tear or two. And man, does Tom know how to finger a computer screen!