Spielberg's return to form

Rating: 8/10 (17 June 2002)

I was lucky enough to see a preview screening yesterday in Leicester Square and being a fan of both Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg I was looking forward to it. The film is based on a short story by sci-fi genius Phillip K. Dick and had, what I felt was a great premise, the police can see into the future to prevent murder happening and the police chief is told he is going to murder a person he's never heard of in 36 hours he has to go on the run to prove his innocence etc... Right from the first scene I was hooked when we saw Cruise and his team in action to prevent a 'crime of passion' in a race against time. Straight away I was delighted as this was 'vintage' Spielberg, really wracking up the tension and pace to get the palms sweating so by the conclusion of this sequence I'd realise I'd been holding my breath. From that point on the film rarely lets up and rockets along at a breakneck pace showcasing some superb action scenes, including a fight in an alleyway with police with jet packs, a terrific fight scene in a car manufacturing plant and a wonderful escape on the freeway with all the 'Tron-esque' cars. Tom Cruise gives a very good performance of the man on the run, adding more depth of character and emotions than is usual in these sort of films. His supporting cast is also fantastic including Colin Farrell as the FBI agent chasing after him, Samantha Morton as one of the 'Pre-cogs' who predict the murders and Max Von Sydow as Cruise's boss, an actor who always lends weight to whatever he does (even 'Flash Gordon'). There is a great streak of black humour that runs through the film which is a welcome relief at times from what is essentially a serious movie and thankfully the humour doesn't undermine the serious aspects, unlike in a lot of Spielberg's other films (Jurassic Park for instance). I have been disappointed with Spielberg's output for a while, to be honest I've found all of his films since 'Schindler's List' to be dissapointments, all containing good elements but overall very mediocre stuff. This film to me was a return to form, this was the Spielberg who made Jaws, Duel and Schindler's List, not the Spielberg who made Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan and A.I. This may be at base level a 'sci-fi thriller' but it is expertly handled, with a decent script, logical plot development, some nice twists (though some I should have seen coming in hindsight) and wonderful visuals and I came out loving it. If this is the quality of film we can expect from a Cruise/Spielberg collaboration then I can't wait for their next film together. Hello Mr Spielberg, it's good to have you back.