Why Steven Spielberg made Minority Report his ugliest film- And why it works

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg has intently made his film Minority Report as his ugliest film. This film was released 23 years ago, in the year 2002.

Falling in the genre of cyberpunk and action, the film also blends characteristics of science fiction noir with thriller. It is indirectly derived from a 1956 short novel by Philip K. Dick, having the same name. The film stars Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Max von Sydow, and Samantha Morton, among others.

The film follows the plot of John, who can foretell the possibility of a murder. However, things take a turn when John himself foresees his involvement in the murder of a person. Upon its release, the film garnered rave reviews. It has earned a rating of 7.6/10 at IMDb and an aggregate of 89% at Rotten Tomatoes.

This film, however, stands apart from all the rest of Steven Spielberg's films in terms of the creative choices.

Let us find out why Minority Report, which is considered to be Spielberg's ugliest, actually works for the film.

Reasons why the ugly aesthetics in Steven Spielberg's Minority Report work well for the film

Steven Spielberg's film Minority Report has a different world of its own. Not only in terms of its storytelling and the genre that it is set in but also in terms of its visual aesthetics.

This film is completely set apart from Spielberg's other films. The conscious usage of color has been an integral part of his films. However, in Minority Report, the helmer completely subverts it. It almost looks like the color is absent.

As per the LA Times, Steven Spielberg explained his vision to his long-time collaborator, Polish cinematographer Janusz Kamiński, by stating:

“I wanted to make the ugliest, dirtiest movie I have ever made,”

As per Collider, to achieve this peculiar vision of Spielberg, the film had undergone a process named Bleach Bypass. This chemical process makes the film appear in a monochrome form rather than colored. The saturation level of the image decreased, and the level of contrast rose. As per Mental Floss, 40% of its original color was taken out of the film. That explains the colorlessness and the over-saturated visuals in the film.

The white colors in the film appear overly blazing, almost hurting the eyes. The colored tones appear in bluish hues. It leaves the viewers with an unsettling and eerie feeling, and that is perhaps what Steven Spielberg wanted the audience to experience. This experimental choice turns out to be a brave one for the film, as its prominent visuals engulf us in the layered storytelling of the film.

The ugliness of the film also depicts the philosophy it stands by. It mirrors the reality of the world that we live in, and hence, the brutal, 'ugly' truths of real life and society are showcased through a visual language that can be comfortable for many. It is also a compelling and off-beat creative choice, as very often, in a creative pursuit, makers aim to beautify their creations in a traditional sense.

But with Minority Report, Spielberg must have achieved his vision to make it the ugliest, as many viewers feel the same way.