DVD Corner

Minority Report 4K UHD Review

“Minority Report” intrigues, but never quite delivers. 

Based on Philip K. Dick’s short story of the same name, 2002’s “Minority Report” is adapted for the big screen by screenwriters Scott Frank and Jon Cohen. The story is set in Washington D.C. in the year 2054 where a division known as the Department Of Precrime operates. With the use of 3 precogs who receive images of future murders from the future, the Department’s agents (including John Anderson) have to race against time to stop murders from being committed. The Department’s work is impeccable, but a DOJ agent (Danny) seeks to find flaws within the system.

The story focuses on John whose life is in shambles. He’s a premier agent, but his wife left him, his son was abducted, and he’s hooked on a drug called neuroin. John’s life becomes even more complicated when the precogs show that he is about to kill someone. Feeling as though he is being framed, John goes on the run only to be hunted by the very Department he works for. Is John really being set-up and for what reason?

The early 2000s proved to be a curious time for director Steven Spielberg. The filmmaker really explored different genres, tinkered with various styles, and even dug into darker stories like “Minority Report.” The film is obviously a piece of sci-fi storytelling, but it’s also a gritty tech noir as well. Looking at the film now 24 years later, it’s interesting to see how elements of this film’s vision of the future have come to pass (particularly touch screens). Indeed, the film’s exploration of technology as well as larger themes about free will, corruption, Government are undoubtedly the highlight here. Where the film goes off the rails is when Spielberg inserts action set pieces as if it’s somehow obligatory. Yes, this was designed to be a summer blockbuster, but the action is flat and is quite visually dated nowadays (see the futuristic cars and the clunky jetpack scene). It also feels shoehorned in and distracts from the larger picture.

At 145 minutes, “Minority Report” drags a bit and feels bogged down by exposition (of which there is a lot). Yes, the central story is wrapped in a mystery, but it often feels like the writers are making it more complex than it needs to be. They also stuff in some truly weird elements including vicious plants and whatever Peter Stormare’s character is doing here.

Cast wise, Tom Cruise naturally gets top billing (and he, of course, runs a lot here). It’s a solid performance and reminds you of just how many top directors Cruise has worked with since the 1980s. Elsewhere in the cast are notable performances from Max von Sydow, Samantha Morton, and a young Colin Farrell.

Video/Audio: 

Presentation: 2.39:1 2160p. How does it look? Viewers can expect a respectable 4K transfer that features clearer image quality and sharper lighting.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The 5.1 track does the job. The action especially puts the speakers to work.

Extras:

* Digital copy
* “The Future According To Steven Spielberg”- An interactive extra with interviews, storyboards, behind-the-scenes footage and more.
* “Inside The World Of Precrime”- A faux ad for precrime.
* “Philip K. Dick, Steven Spielberg And Minority Report” features interviews, discussions about Philip K. Dick’s story and the film (and their differences), and more.
* “Minority Report; Future Realized” about the tech used.
* “Minority Report: Props Of The Future”- A featurette on the film’s props.
* “Highlights From Minority Report: From The Set”- A behind-the-scenes look at the set and scene production.
* “Minority Report: Commercials Of The Future”- A look at the commercials and media in the film.
* 2 previz sequences
* “From Story To Screen” about the story, cast, and Spielberg.
* “Deconstructing Minority Report”- A 5 part featurette covering everything from the technology to the visuals.
* “The Stunts Of Minority Report”- The title says it all.
* “ILM And Minority Report”- A 6 part extra about the visual effects.
* “Final Report”- Cast and crew talk about memories from the set.
* “Production Concepts”- Production art of “Precrime,” “Hovership,” “Hoversuit,” “Hall Of Containment,” and “Spyders.”
* 3 storyboard sequences for “Maglev Sequence,” “Alley Chase,” and “Car Factory.”
* 3 trailers.

January 2, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Colin Farrell, Minority Report 4K UHD Review, Sci-fi, Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise