Decent but not Top Notch

Rating: 7/10 (18 July 2002)

Pre-cogs? Computer interactive light tipped gloves? Two legged spiders? The writing is wanting in this film. We are constantly asking why.....Why does Cruise's character live apart from his love......Why does the security for the pre-crime unit still allow Cruise admittance to high security areas? Why did they devote a great deal of time in the beginning to the sprinkler on the lawn, yet Cruise needs to delay for effect by asking about a door being ajar? The story needed the twist of the crime for the Von Sydow's character, but why was murder the only option? Why is the female pre-cog able to visualize and relate to Cruise in real time all the potentials during a mall jaunt, but needs hi-tech brain wave contacts to get information she's been echoing all movie? Did anyone think that Cruise was going to shoot the guy? I am a sci-fi fan and am able to suspend disbelief for excellent movies like Blade Runner or Forbidden Planet, but I'm sorry, this misses the mark. Good acting, great action, beautiful direction and pictures, but a movie starts with a story, and not just a concept that's cool, but a fleshed out tightly written story that transfers into a screenplay that leaves very little for the audience to ask, "Why?"
Paul the Redlief