Next (2007)

Interesting Premise--Makes the Book Appealing

I had completely missed Next when it was in the theaters and even when it hit DVD. I'm not sure how I became aware of it, but I saw it, read about it, and the premise intrigued me.

The movie is essentially about a Vegas magician (Nicholas Cage) that can see 2 minutes into the future. He, of course, uses this to his advantage during his magic shows. This come to the attention of an FBI agent (Julianne Moore) who is trying to discover where a terrorist group is hiding a nuclear bomb. To add to the whole adventure, Nicholas' character can see farther than 2 minutes in the future with regards to one individual (Jessica Biel's character).

The plot was very good, and I enjoyed the movie completely throughout. The ending was a little shocking, and actually left me wanting more... whether that is a good thing or not you can decide. In my case, I felt like it wasn't.

All in all, definitely a movie worth watching, especially for those that enjoy movies along these lines. September 15, 2008

Mind Bending

This film was on par with the Matrix and others of the genre. Well acted, of course, with Nicolas Cage in the lead.

I can't understand why we didn't see anything about the film when it was released?

Larry September 7, 2008

NEXT time....

A cool twist to time travel. Keeps you stuck to the story and hopeful all the way to the end. For both Cage and for Biel. July 19, 2008

Leaving Las Vegas Forever

*SPOILERS*

Based on a story by Phillip K. Dick (probably the most frequently adapted writer of the past thirty years), "Next" starts off with what would appear to be a can't-miss, sure-fire premise. In yet another in what is fast becoming a long string of unchallenging roles, Nicolas Cage plays Cris Johnson, a Vegas magician with the uncanny ability to see two minutes into his own future. So far, he's used this talent only as a part of his stage act and as a means of beating the house at gambling when he heads to the local casinos. But now he's being asked by the FBI to employ his unique skill in helping to thwart a terrorist plot to detonate a nuclear bomb in downtown Los Angeles. Cris, however, wants nothing whatsoever to do with saving the world (for reasons that are never made entirely convincing for the audience), so he's off and running through the greater Southwest with both the feds and the bad guys hot on his trail. It certainly doesn't help that, just on the face of it, this is probably one of the least necessary pursuits in movie history.

"Next" might have been an interesting movie had the writers found a way to really make the time-bending premise believable and compelling, instead of just using it as an excuse to get everybody zipping around in fast-moving cars. In addition, under Lee Tamahori's directorial aegis and with a screenplay concocted by no fewer than three (!) paid writers, we're treated to cardboard villains with sinister accents, chintzy production values and special effects, incoherently executed gun battle scenes, plot holes one can drive a mack truck through, and a plethora of predictable man-on-the-run, action movie cliches. Even on a plot level, this gimmicky movie rarely plays fair with its audience, having Cris perform amazing feats that have little or nothing to do with his ability to read the future. Then, in a final act of disrespect, the filmmakers tack on one of those ridiculous we-were-just-kidding-folks endings that is enough to turn a person off movies forever.

In addition to Cage, the movie wastes the considerable talents of Julianne Moore, in yet another of her hysterical, over-the-top law enforcer roles (when is she planning on appearing in a good movie again?), and Jessica Biel, who is at least appealing as the unsuspecting girl Cris drags along on his utterly pointless tri-state spree.

"Next" proves that, even for Nicholas Cage - who has hitherto done pretty well for himself with movies set in Sin City ("Leaving Las Vegas," "Honeymoon in Vegas") - Lady Luck won't always be smiling.
July 6, 2008

I have a premonition: you'll be entertained

Cris Johnson (Nicholas Cage) is a Las Vegas magician, stage name Frank Cadillac, with a talent a little more esoteric than sleight-of-hand: he can see 2 minutes into the future. His own future. The exception is Liz (Jessica Biel). When he's around her, he can see much further.

He's been keeping a low profile, but comes to the attention of the FBI anyway. When he prevents a casino robbery, it gives Agent Ferris (Julianne Moore) the leverage to force him to work for them. See, there's this group of terrorists with a nuclear bomb....

I loved the premonition plot, and was impressed by how well the concept was portrayed on-screen, as basically imagining the consequences to each small choice and then choosing the course of action with the best outcome. The best scene depicting that is in the diner when Cris actually meets Liz, the woman he's been seeing in visions.

The action plot I wasn't quite so enthralled with. I didn't quite understand why they needed Cris's talents, and I didn't understand the terrorists' objective, and what the heck the FBI was doing to Cris with the eye clamps is a complete mystery.

The climax, however, using the precognition in an action scene, was very cool, and I enjoyed it as much as the somewhat similar scene in Morgan Hawke's novella "Fortune's Star" in the anthology Hard Candy.

I know Nicholas Cage gets on some people's nerves, and this is not the movie to change their minds. I like him. It's Julianne Moore who gets on my nerves. She seems too bland to me to be convincing as a tough FBI agent. Eh. It's personal preferences, either way. If you like both of them, you'll probably love the movie. And Jessica Biel, well, she was just there. Eye candy, I presume. I'm not the target audience there. June 23, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...