Minority Report
directed by: Steven Spielberg
starring: Tom Cruise, Collin Farrell, Samantha Morton, Max von Sydow
Rated PG-13 for violence, brief language, some sexuality and drug content.
The first two acts of compelling and intriguing storytelling is nothing but solid sci-fi fun for Spielberg and company. It has great visuals, unbelievable production design, beautiful cinematography, and great performances from the cast, especially Samantha Morton (but even Collin Farrell and Tom Cruise are good.) Unfortunately, the last act loses the tension and structure of the first two acts, leaving you slightly disappointed with the final result. Despite these issues, I do think it’s one of my favorite Spielberg films; it’s a fast paced (until the end), science-fiction detective story that is as much fun as it is thought provoking. And, although it’s not a perfect film, the movie, itself, reminds us that “everything has a flaw.” Minority Report only has a few.
Déjà Vu
directed by: Tony Scott
starring: Denzel Washington, Val Kilmer, Paula Patton, and Jim Caviezel
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and terror, disturbing images and some sensuality.
After watching Minority Report, I wanted to follow it up with another science-fiction-detective-action film. And, after watching Déjà Vu, I realized it was a déjà vu of Minority Report. The stories are similar in respect to themes and genre, both are exciting, mind-bending, funny, and you get emotional invested in the characters. However, it also has similar weaknesses in structure and villains. In Déjà Vu, we are left with a very weak nemesis in Jim Caviezel, one that you never really think is above Denzel Washington's surmounting ability; it’s as if Denzel is fighting against the concept of a closed fate more than he is against Caviezel's terrorist. This is added to a handful of other small issues and offensive content, and yet Déjà Vu still comes out a enjoyable film. And, like some other works of Tony Scott, the movie has a definite appreciation for the spiritual realm, from Denzel’s arguments about God’s will (that he later names “fate”) to the confession of the top scientist (played by the terrific Adam Goldberg) saying “I also believe in God… just don’t tell anybody." It's a mind-bending adventure that’s worth viewing more than once.
Back to the Future (Part 1)
directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover
Rated: PG (although it would probably be rated PG-13 today)
In re-watching one of the classic blockbusters of the 1980s, I realized how much my movie tastes have changed over the years. I couldn’t help but compare it to other classic films of the eighties, Star Wars or Indiana Jones, and notice something interesting; at a film’s core is it’s story. Back to the Future has a creative concept, and there’s the glitz of special effects, the hysterical one-liners, and the good-looking actors and actresses. But, when the hair styles and clothing change, lines lose their potency, and special effects become out-of-date, we’re simply left with the quality of the story and storytelling. Back to the Future isn’t bad, and it will certainly be a classic blockbuster of the 1980s, but I think it’s a film that you would have to travel back in time to fully enjoy. Otherwise, it’s just another out-of-date blockbuster with little purpose or lasting affect.
