Reviewed 6 July 2002           Good Science Fiction is effective extrapolation of established scientific, political, social and/or moral principles.   Its intent is to stretch the mind to the limit in one or more of these disciplines.   Minority Report has all this, and more.    Sci-fi aficionados will tell you why; the film is based on a story by Phillip K. Dick, who also penned Blade Runner and Vanilla Sky.
            In 2054, Washington D.C. is murder-free; 3 psychic 'pre-cogs' can visualize murders before they happen.    The police have set up a special Pre-Crime Unit to act on this foreknowledge.    John Anderton (Tom Cruise) is unit chief, and has a found a mentor in Program Director Lamar Burgess (Max Von Sydow).   The Pre-Crime program is flawless - they are batting 1000.   The Program is, of course, gaining national attention, and to John's extreme dislike, the Government sends special agent Danny Witwer (Colin Farrell) to make an in-depth assessment.
            Then something goes wrong with the 'perfect system' - John is seen by the pre-cogs as D.C.'s next murderer.   As the plot winds through its treacherous and circuitous route, he finds there is little he can take for granted.   Action, story-telling, special effects AND acting are top-rate.   Minority Report is a "must see", in spite of a few minor plot incongruities, which do not impact on the story.
            The viewer is asked not only to consider the ethics of arresting someone for a crime he did not yet commit, but to question how much governmental control should be allowed in order to effect a perfect, crime-free world.    But we also explore something else - how will all of the above affect "free will"?
        Enduring Line Or Phrase:   "Just find the Minority Report."

Reviewed by Narada for Bangkok Eyes - 03 July 2002

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