Reel Critics

Van Novack

The value of a thoroughbred racehorse is a result of its breeding. If

ever a movie possessed all the earmarks of a thoroughbred, it is

certainly “Minority Report.”

Directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Cruise, and based on a

short story by Philip K. Dick (“Total Recall,” “Blade Runner”), “Minority

Report’s” pedigree is impeccable. I am happy to report this stellar

collaboration has produced a fast-paced, exciting film with stunning

visual appeal.

Detective John Anderton (Cruise) heads the Pre-Crime Division for the

District of Columbia in the year 2054. Pre-Crime depends on three

psychic precognitive humans, or pre-cogs, who exist in a flotation tank,

their brain waves fed to computers. The Pre-cogs are able to channel the

premeditated thoughts of murderers and warn the police before the

killings actually take place. As a result, there hasn’t been a murder in

DC for more than six years.

Anderton is an absolute believer in Pre-Crime and has no reason to

question the assertion that the Pre-Cogs are never wrong. The fact the

arrestees haven’t technically committed any crime does not bother him.

This unshakable faith in the Pre-Cogs virtually dooms the subjects of

their visions. All the considerable resources of the Pre-Crime Bureau are

immediately put into action when a murder is foreseen. Anderton becomes

the object of these efforts when the Pre-Cogs envision him committing

murder. The victim is a man Anderton has never met and he cannot believe

he will commit this murder in less than 96 hours. He has no choice but to

run.

The technology displayed in “Minority Report” is very convincing,

mostly due to it not being too farfetched. The interactive computers,

identification technology, proliferation of all types of media and modes

of transportation seem to represent a natural evolution from what we have

today. Some interesting product placement is used, most notably a

futuristic Lexus automobile.

Cruise is effective as Anderton, although casting a superstar in this

role adds nothing but box office appeal. Colin Farrell is excellent, as

is Max Von Sydow as Pre-Crime Director Burgess.

Although he does not use the most ambitious or complex CGI technology

in “Minority Report,” Spielberg employs it most effectively. The blending

of special effects and live action is absolutely seamless.

“Minority Report” marks Spielberg’s return to popular filmmaking and

science fiction. The most successful director of our time has crafted the

best big-budget action film of the summer thus far.

* VAN NOVACK, 48, is the director of institutional research at Cal

State Long Beach.