can spielberg make a bad film?

Rating: 7/10 (6 July 2002)

being a huge spielberg fan, i knew this would be a great movie. And with tom cruise aboard, how could it fail?. In short it doesn't, it almost does, but there is no doubt that this is a modern classic. You all probably know the plot, but for those who haven't seen the film, don't go in thinking this is a huge action film like the trailer boasts. Don't get me wrong, there is action, but it doesn't over populate the film. It focuses on character and story. And all the better for it. As always, the brilliant John Williams is on music duty, and instead of driving the movie with his score, he makes it more suttle and quiet, providing a backdrop to a scene, that is quite frankly, gorgous. And Spielberg again, shows why he is the best director in the business. Some of the camera work and design of the shots are fantastic, and the acing which he gets out of the actors is superb. Tom Cruise is great as the flawed drug abusing John Anderton, but he has competition in the best actor stakes. As an opposing federal agent, Colin Farrell steals almost every scene with his cool, determind gum chewing character Danny Witwer. He plays the role with such confidence, it's hard not to dislike him. After the first two hours of mayhem and confusion, it slows down a gear, which for some people may drag the film down. I certainly felt a bit funny when it changed from ace futuristic thriller into an almost cliched who-dunnit crime drama, and maybe Spielberg played his all too familiar sentiment card too much, but it certainly weakens one of the best films in recent years. But despite the change of pace, on second viewing, the ending does work, but it still felt just a tad too long. But by the end, you are willing to forgive it for the minor setback, because the previous 2 hours are just brilliant, in every possible way. Can Spielberg make a bad film?