A superb Whodunit flick that pays homage to Stanley Kubrik...

Rating: Null/10 (17 June 2002)

This movie scares the heck out of me to think that there could be a futuristic judicial system that detects murderers before the crimes are committed! Would I really trust psychic technology that could backfire against its assumed purpose? Yep, watching this film does keep my mind ticking with questions, from beginning to the end. It even makes me wonder how the clairvoyant trio, in this movie, is not interested in criminals, such as robbers, rapists, and corporate cheater. Yep, this is a wonderful, mind-boggling film that sucks me into interaction with characters and events -- keeping me attentive, contemplative, and edgy! Oh yes, it's a whodunit' tale in noir style! And it's done with such superb beauty and flair almost as if Spielberg is once again paying homage to Stanley Kubrik's style of filmmaking -- crafting scenes that the viewer finds unsettling (example: Clockwork Orange & Eyes Wide Shut). The blue cinematic effects are truly surreal stirring up memories of scenes in A.I. too. The scenes with the Precog trio floating in a tank of water and with Anderton submerged in a water-filled bathtub seem rather austere, yet amazingly beautiful!
Two thumbs up for the wonderful performances of the total cast it's their combined performances that truly keep the story rolling. Tom Cruise's performance is solid and outstanding. I find myself literally flung into his John Anderton's shoes, plunging myself into one hell of an adventure, in my attempt to stay focused on theories of conspiracy, power and corruption to solve the `crime.' I have had a fun time trying to figure out the Precrime System and at playing detective! Yep, this is a movie that will suck the viewers into one event after another, providing them little opportunity to tear away from Anderton's doom.
Two Precogs in agreement to create a potentially trustworthy result and considered a majority report to warrant an arrest, while a dissenting view of the third, the minority report, is filed away as unreliable? Surely the so-called basic tenants of the rule of law are indeed confusing to follow. I keep reminding myself that this absurd ruling doesn't help me shed light on the mystery. However, the story is done with such awesome flow and pace and succeeds in allowing the viewers to collect their clues in a very intense and exciting fashion. I feel as if I'm trapped in the schizophrenic atmosphere, searching for breathing space while everything and everyone seem to plunge me into constant doubts, hope and disbelief. Yep, this movie definitely thrills! It's Spielberg's futuristic world, where Washington DC's famous old-styled monuments still exist, but where the System denies us our privacy, and where creepy, crawly electronic spiders can easily track down our presence. Phenomenal, but hardly pleasant imagination that's being projected on the screen!
There's a very dark tone underlying the whole film. Even John Williams' music score is downright haunting. Despite the non-stop action, excitement and suspense, the characters will sink the viewers into waves of creepy, hopeless and helpless feelings throughout the plot and sub-plots. Gosh, this film takes me on a long ride - thrilling and rough. It has been easy for me to figure out the good from the bad dudes. Nope, there's no telling when the puzzles are going to fit together nicely. Yep, I'm drained out of my total energy watching this movie even as I try to keep up with the flash-forward scenes of the Precogs' minds! And I welcome the moments that bring out my unintentional giggles as if I find them most necessary to take me away from my overlapping and disturbing mental state and intensity.
This movie is truly terrific and does also absorb a distinctive matrix-type feel. The psychic chase, the high-tech futuristic-looking gizmos, the process of identity-scanning eyes, and even the old homeless man stooping to pick up the scattered coins are incredible to see. And being able to spot Cameron Crowe (reading a copy of the USA Today newspaper) and Cameron Diaz in their cameo roles is rather cool. Hey, can I be imagining that Peter Storemare's doc' character does speak in a strange dialect? Oh yes, this movie has a lot to offer to the movie buffs. I even enjoy being shoved against the wall in helpless tension, as I thrust all my effort in trying to make sense out of Anderton's misfortune.
This film definitely has all the rich filmmaking ingredients that will give it a deserving A+ rating. I will definitely see it again!