or the DVD site www.minorityreportdvd.com
Cast: Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton, Max von Sydow, Kathryn Morris, Lois Smith...
Set in Washington DC in the year 2054, this sci-fi thriller centres on Tom Cruise's character, John Anderton, who is accused of a future murder. Anderton is pursued for his 'future' crime as predicted by 3 psychics - the Precogs - part of the Precrime law-enforcement scheme of which he is a chief detective. Anderton's intended victim, however, is set up to look like the killer of his young son (though we are never told if he was infact killed) - all this contributes to a highly enjoyable, if complex storyline!
Max is part of a superb supporting cast, though unlike many of his American films of late he actually has quite a big role in the film. Spielberg obviously realised a bit part for Max would be an insult and both great director and great actor work well together.
Though Burgess appears in an advert for Precrime near the beginning of the film and in photos with Anderton and their wives, we first meet him a bit later on in discussion with Tom Cruise. In this scene Max TOWERS over Tom (Max is 6"4 while Tom is only 5"7) and we are given an indication of their relationship when Anderton calls Burgess 'sir'. Fashion 50 years in future doesn't seem to have altered dramatically and Max always looks imposing in his three-piece suits!
Max's scenes are deceptively limited, considering his part in the story which is only revealed at the very end of the film. Whether Max is a conventional 'baddie' or not is debatable because of the moralistic implications of the existance of precogs. When Max shots red herring Danny Witwer in cold blood though, we are left in no doubt he is a killer (having previously bumped off Anne Lively.) His suicide at the end of the film may seem predictable, but as usual Max gives it a real sense pathos.
"We don't choose our beliefs, they choose us"
"Shh. Do you know what I hear? Nothing. No footsteps on the stairs, no hoverships outside and no clickety-click of spiders. And do you know why I can't hear any of those things? Because right now the Precogs can't see a thing!"
While the Minority Report DVD is excellent - probably one of the best presented of the year - there is relatively little Max-related bonus material. What little there is of course a delight to watch. Max gives his view of the film in a rather short, out-of-place-looking segment apparently filmed by his wife. He praises Speilberg, which coming from someone who has worked with so many great directors sounds touchingly genuine. There are some superb behind the scenes gems of him with Spielberg especially when they hug after one of Max's last scenes.
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