An absolutely brilliant science fiction thriller, with a plot in the here and now. It's the old story of ambitious cop sets up some one in authority, perhaps as a way in to his job, or as a way to save his own. It may be a classic story line, but this has a very modern twist. In the future, people are arrested before they actually commit the murder that they will carry out, as it is foreseen by some psychics (Pre-crime). The use of Technology is fantastic, as are the special effects. Tom Cruise plays the part of the cop who is set up admirably and Colin Farrell does 'nasty' really well. Our teenage children found it as enthralling as we did.
Whilst there are several plot holes this is one of Steven Spielberg's best science fiction films. Based on a Philip K. Dick short story and set in 2054 it gives an interesting vision of the near future where genetic experimentation has resulted in the birth of three gifted humans who can see murders before they happen. A police unit led by Tom Cruise is able to arrest the murderer before they commit the crime. But when he is predicted to be the next killer of a man he doesn't know he has to go on the run and try and unravel the mystery behind this future event. Spielberg presents the film with a bleached look which adds to the bleak vision of the future where commercialism dominates daily life with retina scanning and people still live in over-populated projects controlled by a very powerful police force. There's plenty of action including some great chase sequences and for the most part Spielberg avoids his tendency towards over sentimentality. Colin Farrell excels as a cop who is out to discredit the system and the great Max Von Sydow is the man who invented it. There's some fantastic details to be enjoyed and this is a great story however implausible it all sounds. Well worth checking out if you've never seen it.