Missed opportunity

Rating: 5/10 (27 June 2002)

I did not read the original story by Dick, but I am sure that he never intended to write the script for a movie like this. Despite the display of special effects, the visionary, nightmare-like features commonly found in Dick's novels are completely absent. Everything (from social relations to trademarks) is exactly like it is now, with the predictable SF-movie minor technical exceptions (guns, cars, eye-surgery etc.); the only real difference is the pre-crime department, but it is treated mainly as the un-usual scenario for the usual hi-tech action movie, rather than the story main point of interest. There are actually some scenes where some kind of reflection takes place, but they are kept as sketchy as possible. Furthermore, even if you simply look at it as an action movie, the quality is neither bad nor particularly good, because of too many unrealistic "details" (e.g. the escape from SIX armed guards). The best I can say of this movie is that it is enjoyable, if you simply want to switch your brain off for two hours, or if you are a kid.