<2054> One might classify Minority Report as a sci-fi action thriller. As the movie begins, it is the year 2054 in Washington D.C. Crediting a new crime prevention program, Washington has become the safest place to live.
<Precogs Intro> The new program, Department of Pre-Crime, combines the taskforce of law officers, along with three “precogs” to fight crime. The precogs are able to detect when a crime is about to happen, and by dispensing a target ball of the convicted, law enforcers are dispersed to the crime scene before it occurs.
Max Von Sydow, (Detective Burgess), is head of the Department, who now fears that he is losing the program because it is about to go national. Detective John Anderton (Tom Cruise), works with the crime prevention company because his son was murdered, and he feels this is his way of keeping others from experiencing the same wrath.
<Case# 1108> Viewers are more-or-less introduced to the work of the squad as they are called on to intercept Case# 1108 – which involves the murder of a wife and her lover, at the hands of her husband (in shorter term – a crime of passion).
<Case# 1109> After resolving the crime of passion Case# 1108, the squad is called on again. This time the case (#1109), involves Anderton, who sees himself shooting a man in a hotel room. He knows that a premeditated murder can mean only one thing, he will become the hunted. Convinced that he is being set up by the new Detective, Ed Witwer, who wants his job, (played by Colin Farrell), Anderton flees, and is on a quest to find answers as to why he has run afoul of the very same crime prevention program where he work.
Convinced and knowing that he is not guilty of the crime he has been accused of, Anderton kidnaps the most gifted precog, Agatha (played by Samantha Morton).
The plot thickens as Anderton begin to find twisted and deceptive clues. What appears to be one thing or person at fault, is actually revealed to be the opposite.
“In all honesty, I really thought that Detective Witwer was really out to get Anderton, at all cost.” This movie gives viewers that “Who would have known” puzzlement.
Action-packed scenes include the take of Anderton leaping from vehicle to vehicle, as he evades the crime prevention squad, jet propelled backpacks, and the powers of the precog.
Each star brought to their character what we expected they would. Tom Cruise as a tough, yet understanding detective, with a need to do things right. Samantha Morton becomes her character and convinces the viewer to feel her pain. Max Von Sydow never fails to amaze viewers with his cunning, debonair, British style. Colin Farrell is enticing and comes off as the villain, but in a sudden surprise twist, is actually trying to help Anderton.
While not as mouth gaping as some movies, Minority Report still hold its own magnificently, and is really enjoyable.