Pilot Review: Minority Report

Minority Report (FOX)
Premiered September 21 at 9pm

I should start this review by saying that I’m a big fan of the film on which this show is based, unlike another series that also premiered this week, whose original movie I haven’t even seen. That does mean that my expectations for this show were high, and I was pleased when I saw a trailer a few months ago that made it look like this show had all the same things that I loved about the movie. I like that this isn’t a remake or a prequel, but instead a legitimate sequel that focuses on one of the precogs after precrime has been shut down and murders are happening again. There are some things about Dash’s behavior that don’t quite track, and I think that Stark Stands is much more skilled at acting like a robot than at expressing his human reactions to things. That gives the show a comedic feel, as the far more socially adept Detective Lara Vega mocks him for his inability to be cool in situations and respond the way she might expect any normal person to. I’m glad to see Meagan Good on a show like this rather than “Deception” after a strong arc on “Californication,” and I think she has the right style and attitude to play a good cop with much stronger instincts than many of her superiors and colleagues. Dash being the one who gets visions but no names could seem like a gimmicky obstacle, but I think that should work well too. This is a fun, futuristic twist on the detective show, and I’m eager to see where it goes, especially because of all the advanced future technology.

How will it work as a series? It was almost a requirement for the missing Arthur to show up in the pilot’s final moments, complicating matters and giving Dash a larger mission that goes along with his new police position. That overarching plot should complement the episodic murder cases nicely, and I think both should prove intriguing and engaging.
How will it work as a series? Unfortunately, it may not last long. FOX didn’t do well with the season premiere of “Gotham” or this show, and I think my take on this pilot may have been more positive than other critics’. I don’t think it’s necessary to close up shop just yet, but the future does not look bright unless the ratings sharply increase, which is not a usual trend.

Pilot grade: B+