The Finest Film Spielberg Has Ever Made

Rating: 10/10 (22 November 2011)

There is only one film for me, just one exclusively, that flawlessly captures every last ounce of director Steven Spielberg's finesse and meticulous expertise. That film is 'Minority Report' (2002).
Imagine the year is 2054, in Washington, D.C. A time when the planet is smothered in Artificial Intelligence, dominated by invasive targeted advertising and intrusive security extents, a world existing in the midst of a technological domination. The District Of Columbia is 100% murder-free thanks entirely to the astoundingly reliable specialised police department "Pre-Crime", which identifies killers before they commit their murders. It is captained by Chief John Anderton (Tom Cruise), a Father crushed by the disappearance of his son Sean, living a hollow existence lined only with the self- destruction of guilt. To compensate, he joined Pre-Crime. The system relies on the precognitions of the"Pre-Cogs", Arthur and Dash – the twins – and Agatha (Samantha Morton), the natural leader, the most gifted. Three mutated humans with psychic abilities. And yes, I tell you now, those names are indeed references to the three great mystery writers: Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Dashiell Hammett. But when Anderton is framed for a future murder, he has just 36 hours to prove his innocence.
The Pre-Cogs are surviving examples of children born from parents addicted to the fictional drug Neuroin (a heroin-like drug) under scientific experimentation. Most of these children wouldn't live past the age of 12, yet these three were seen as "gifted", graced with a certain talent. They would wake up at night screaming, shaking in the corner as they saw murder over and over, an image that continually haunted them. It wasn't long before someone realised that these dreams were murders that were actually happening and so they were exploited for use in Pre-Crime. Hyper-sensitive brain scanners read activity in the brain tissue of the Pre-Cogs and an intricate electronic system displays the images they see onto monitors.
That is what Pre-Crime is dependent upon; three genetic mutants heavily drugged, generally unaware of their surroundings and conditions, predicting the future. From there, it's up to the officers to analyse the images they're given on the screens to find where this murder is taking place. And, seeing as it'll be going nation-wide soon, cocky Department Of Justice representative Agent Danny Witwer (played with excellent charisma by Colin Farrell) comes along to supervise and ultimately dictate everything. The system is perfect, it's never wrong. However, the Pre-Cogs have been known to disagree occasionally a record of their disagreement is known as 'minority report', of which the film gets its title from.
So this is the future? The Earth has finally surrendered to these bombarding technological advances that occur so swiftly that us petty humans have to keep running just to stay in the exact same place. "The Red Queen Hypothesis" is most certainly a relevant factor in this world. The streets are littered with ruthlessly efficient Eye-Dentiscanners that identify the passing civilian and plagues them with targeted advertising from one of its countless gloriously attractive holographic advertisements, calling their name directly to seize attention. "John Anderton! You could use a Guiness right about now!" shouts one of the invisible voice with its corny fiddle soundtrack from the remarkable glass walls that dazzle and distract passers-by. This film is crammed with product-placement: visual telecommunication screens by Nokia, exotic holidays with holographic Hawaiian girls for American Express, GAP clothing, Bvlgari perfume, and even Lexus designed an entire car for this film! The greatest element of 'Minority Report' is its believability. All this incredible technology, from transport pods that drive themselves on vast freeway networks with vertical inclines to singing cereal packets, has been presented in a fashion so rich and affluent in detail that it seems so real.
To ensure the utmost plausibility of a world where even the walls of alley-ways are technological, alive with grotesque public announcements, Spielberg consulted numerous scientists. The effect of all this is a result so immaculately polished that even now, nine years after release, it is still realistic.
There is so much to admire, adore, appreciate, and question in this deliciously complex film. I reserve it specially as the only film I have ever seen in which Tom Cruise presents a clear ability to act. Most films starring Tom Cruise feature Tom Cruise in the cast playing Tom Cruise! Yet in this, with the professional guidance of Spielberg, Cruise plays his character with brilliant realism. He is almost constantly engaging. Other factors to be remembered of this film are its screenplay. The story behind this film is so beautifully active, but the explanation that is presented to the viewers is abstract. This is a rare example of a mystery film, entirely due to the deliverance of its magnificent plot-line; there is never an example when, like many other initially promising but subsequently destroyed films, the plot is given to us on a silver tray. It is flattering to the viewer's intelligence to be able understand this film. Its complexity and intrigue, which is unravelled gradually, makes the wonderful experience of explanation feel so much more rewarding.
Another feature is the musical score, by John Williams. The addition of Williams' soundtrack lifts the film, providing one of the finest examples I can imagine of giving suspense to otherwise already extremely exciting scenes. For instance, when Anderton is escaping Danny Witwer and his men through an automobile manufacturing factory, the thumping trumpet blasts and violin shrieks are reminiscent to his Oscar-winning score of 'Star Wars Episode VI: A New Hope' (1977).
'Minority Report' is my absolute favourite Steven Spielberg film.