Best film of the year

Rating: 10/10 (21 June 2002)

Without a doubt, Spielberg's masterpiece Minority Report would be the best film of the year and ultimately, it is one of the first Summer blockbusters since The Matrix that can combine a terrific storyline within a blockbuster framework. Although Spielberg's last effort A.I. which also was equally brilliant, sat on the fence with viewers, Minority Report is much more appealing to mainstream viewers yet again incorporates a dark and probing storyline. Tom Cruise puts in a surprisingly good and credible performance that easily surpasses his previous action-y performances in Mission Impossible 2. Along with Cruise, the supporting cast is excellent with sleeper actor Samantha Morton giving an emotional performance. The Phillip K Dick story is wonderfully adapted by Scott Frank and Jon Cohen into a brilliantly rendered narrative that portrays a bleak, jawdropping and very intriguing view of the future and it's resultant flaws. The score by John Williams, as always, expertly captures every emotion of the film and accompanies the celluloid with oblique ambiance to providing thrilling action riffs. A definite highlight is the cinematography by lens legend Janusz Kaminski. His contrast of grey and blue filters to overwashed and overexposed scenes create a unique environment to the phenomenal sets and production design. Finally, cutos goes to Spielberg, who never fails with his flawless direction. With his fluid camera movement, perfect composition, expert pacing with the help of Michael Kahn's spoton editing, helming of action sequences and an eye for capturing the emotions and actions of his actors, he is by far the best modern director Hollywood film has seen and is an icon among film buffs. Minority Report is a technical masterpiece with a story to match and will join the walls of Steven Spielberg's brilliant career. 5 out of 5