The Minority Report, 2002starring Tom Cruise
rated: PG-13
Based on the short story by Philip Dick of the same name, and directed by the infamous Steven Spielberg, this sci-fi action thriller rivals The Matrix for sheer genius. Set in the future, 'Precrime' specializes in taking down would-be killers and other law-breakers by catching them before they commit the crime. The catch? They haven't actually committed it yet. But the precognitive psychics know they will, right? When John Anderton (Cruise) is confronted with his own name, he knows he's not a killer, and runs for his freedom. But actions have been set in motion, and before he knows it he'll be confronted with the ultimate question - does he have a choice?
A fabulous plot, a non-stop action movie, it was amazing from start to finish, and seriously just jaw dropping the entire time. Spielberg and others changed the plot, modernizing it from the original short story, making it better in a way. However, I didn't like some of the characterization - Anderton turns out to be a drug-user, and there are a couple of scenes that made you wonder if perhaps it ought to be rated R. That said, it was a top notch film all the way.
Graded an A-.
The Minority Report, by Philip K. DickAdult, 1956
With the same basic plot line as the movie, Minority Report confronts John Anderton with the fallacies behind 'Precrime'. Such a fabulous idea all packed into a few pages! I don't think it matters if you watch or read first, since they are so different in their styles. For coming out in the 50s, it was a short story way ahead of its time, yet so behind ours in many ways. Read it, and then check out his other works.
Graded a B+.
Need some motivation to read Philip Dick? What you don't know is that his short stories are the inspiration for these famous movies:
Blade Runner (1982)
Screamers (1995)
Imposter
Paycheck (2003)
Minority Report (2002)
Total Recall (1990)
The Adjustment Bureau (2010)
And coming soon:
King of the Elves (Disney, 2012)
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