Minority Report and Children of Men

Minority report

Science fiction neo noir film. The plot of this movie focuses on a trio of psychics called "Precogs". Precogs see visions of murders before they happen. When the Precogs envision a murder that has not been committed, "PreCrime" evaluates the images on a futuristic screen. On this high tech screen the pre crime unit can rewind, fast forward and determine exactly where the crime has been committed.  

The names of the victims and perpetrators appear on a ball that rolls down a series of tubes like gum in a gumball machine. After the Precogs have a vision, John Anderton the PreCrime captain reviews the visions like an orchestral composer with wearable interactive gloves that control the images. A red ball is a crime of passion, which shows no premeditation is why John had to evaluate this murder quickly in a matter of minutes. Usually the crimes are committed with premeditation in which the Precogs can see within four days prior to the murder.

This film compares free will and determinism. The comparison is to determine if a person can change an event of the future if they already know what is to happen ahead of time. The concept of freewill is to make a decision out of freedom and not of destiny. Agent Danny Witwer is an agent for the department of Justice and is investigating whether PreCrime is morally just. Should PreCrime stop people before they commit a crime? If I knew that tomorrow, I will definitely commit murder, would I change my mind or would I be determined to keep my choice at all costs.

John Anderton becomes a wanted criminal for the murder of an unknown man Leo Crow. In this dystopian world criminals are broadcasted live on newspapers leaving the criminals with little hope of escape. Is this dystopian? In the United States violent crime is a constant threat and in Minority report violence barely exists. Besides the violence dropping this dystopian world keeps track of everyone through retina scanning when they are shopping. This may seem alittle scary to some people but it may have its uses.

Also advertising seems to be everywhere like bottled water and the Gap.This society is suppose to be an undesireable place to live in but the crime is incredibly low and who wouldn’t want murderers to be stopped before it happened. The cars in this movie don’t seem to use gas and they are guided without having people drive them. That means zero accidents and casualties from driving related accidents which sounds great to me.Im not sure if I consider this film to be dystopian. Technically the society has to be worse than mine but in my opinion it is not. If all crime could  be stopped I think most people would agree that would be an ideal living condition. I would call this film a Utopian film if I am comparing to modern day living.

Spielberg uses very bright over saturated shots along with heavily shadowed shots, which in contrast has a unique style and look. The shot below is heavily shadowed called chiaroscuro lighting. One of my favorite shots of the film shows heavy shadows on the face of John and Agatha.

Children of Men

Children of Men begins with the death of the youngest man on the planet. "Baby Diego", was stabbed to death at age 18 after spitting in the face of a person was killed because someone wanted his autograph and he refused. He was a constant reminder of the infertility of the new   world.

 This film takes place in London of 2027 where women have become incapable of having children. Britain stands alone as the only functioning government. If you ask yourself why Britain? Ask Slavoj Žižek, a continental philosopher and explains that Britain does not have a constitution. The rest of the world is in chaos and destruction.

When Theo arrives at work, he finds that many of his coworkers are emotional from the death of Baby Diego. Theo then tells his boss that he is to upset and wishes to go home and finish his work. When Theo is on a train there are people throwing debris at the window as it goes by. This shows society is broken and has resorted to violence and disorder.  

I like how this film uses long scenes with a steady cam. This gives the film a realistic approach that puts the viewer right in the action. One of my favorite scenes is when Theo is trying to escape with Kee the only pregnant girl left in the world.

The British government is anti-immigration, fascist, and totalitarian. The government of Britain has kept a tight lid on the walls of its boarders. Illegal immigrants are unwanted and thrown on buses with cages and delivered to containment in more cages that resemble prisons like the Holocaust.

One of the most powerful scenes in the movie is when Theo escorts Kee with her new born down the war torn building. Everyone stops and looks at the baby crying even while soldiers outside are shooting some of them.

When they finally make it outside the soldiers let them pass in awe. The soldiers seem to be amazed how a child could be alive let alone in the midst of gunfire and guerilla warfare. Some of the soldiers kneel down, as they believe it to be a miracle. Then when all the soldiers are distracted, a missile is fired at the soldiers without warning. This goes to show you that war will not stop for anything in a government that can no longer maintain order and peace.

Even with one pregnant girl how can the population survive especially the way it is at its current state. For a child to live in such conditions kind of defeats the purpose of having a kid not that Kee had a choice. The father of Kees baby remains unknown and they joke that she was a virgin.

Overall, I really liked this movie. I really admire the effort it took to pull off those longer choreographed scenes in high action situations. This film is very grim and shows us what life could be like in the future if war takes over. 

                    When Science Fiction Writers Used Fictional Drugs

“This inquiry is driven by two questions. First, what do the fictional drugs described in drug dystopias do? What effects do they have, and do those effects have symbolic meaning for the story?” John Hickman

In the film, THX 1138 drugs are mandatory and must be taken each day in order to keep them obedient. In this case, a dystopian social order is maintained by control with the use of sedatives. In Minority report John uses while watching holo tapes of his son and estranged wife. John seems to be much happier after. I would consider THX 1138 to be more of a drug dystopian film than minority report. The drug use in THX 1138 has more meaning and effect to the social environment.