Professionally Done, Nothing Sublime

Rating: Null/10 (25 June 2002)

This is a very good Hollywood movie that benefited from excellent actors and superb production design--the best money could buy. But was it brilliant, sublime.? No.
Like many Speilberg films, it ends about two scenes too late. These final syrupy scenes insult the audience and tie things up too neatly. It's as if he wants the audience to leave the theatre feeling "everything was beautiful and nothing hurt."
The premise of the movie is a good one, but the Minority Reports actually are less important than a murder that was covered up. The story and script have holes that are pretty big and cliches aplenty. The annoying Feds encroaching on local turf. The mentor turned opponent. The lovely wife who looks like she removed all worldly flaws in a 120 degree yoga studio--hey I'm not complaining. The black side-kick/friend who doesn't get very much screen time.
It's good. It's a fine movie. But it's not moving art. Should it be? Maybe not. Could it have been? I think so. But when you're buying Cracker Jack, you really shouldn't look for Coupe de Ville at the bottom (Meatloaf anyone?). Just a toy surprise. And this one is nice and leaves an impression about as long as those phony tattoos.