"Next" - Review Thread

MovieBuff801 · 04-28-2007, 05:45 PM

Next, Please

I'm often asked how it is that I am able to enjoy the majority of the movies I see on a regular basis, and my answer is I try to go into each of them with an open mind with my "Willing Suspension of Disbelief" turned fully on. But near the halfway mark of "Next", I realized that this movie is so convoluted and sloppy, that even with the weapon of enjoyment inside my head switched on, I could not believe a single moment of the ludicrous action sequences. And since "Next" is meant to be a sci-fi action thriller, that is definitely not a good thing.

Nicolas Cage is one of my favorite actors and can normally be good in almost any role he inhabits, but here he is reduced to just being a mildly interesting character with a few infinitesimal moments of amusement. Julianne Moore is nothing more than a cookie-cutter character in the movie just to offer minor complications for our so-called "hero" of the story. Jessica Biel, who proved that she can most certainly act in last year's mesmerising mystery "The Illusionist", plays the worrisome love-interest who constantly runs from the bad guys, trying not to get shot.

"Next" is based on a short story from famous sci-fi writer Phillip K. Dick entitled "The Golden Man". It is reported that "Next" has an entirely different storyline, but the same interesting detail for its main character. Cris Johnson (Nicolas Cage) is a man who has the ability to see precisely two minutes into the future and alter it without much of a consequence. Cris's day job is a stage magician in Las Vegas, and he spends his spare time gambling at poker tables. But this unique ability has attracted the attention of Federal Agent Callie Ferris (Julianne Moore); she wishes to use Cris's power to see as far ahead as possible into the future so that they can locate and disarm a nuclear bomb that has been smuggled into Los Angeles by ruthless terrorists. Now at this point, if you are reminded of the hit TV show "24", then you are not alone.

Cris tries to evade Ferris and her agents and spend some time with his new girlfriend Liz (Jessica Biel), because he knows that the FBI will never let him go if he complies with their wishes. Recently, Liz has been appearing in some of Cris's visions, however he cannot figure out why. But, unfortuneately, that specific plot point is never fully explained and that is just one of my many, many problems with this movie.

The whole movie seems to be made up of mindless, over-the-top action sequences that are just there for the sake of the movie. And all of this leads up to a "twist" that is what I consider the worst pay-off in the history of film every time it is used.

Nicolas Cage appears bored in this movie as Cris Johnson. He is able to convince you up to a point, but mainly he lulls through each scene as if he is waiting to be offered a better movie. But I admit, Cage does deliver some trademark moments of quirkiness that only Nicolas Cage can pull off. Julianne Moore's Callie Ferris is just like Jack Bauer, only with longer hair and a more petite body. Her character never really serves any purpose, other than act as an emcumbrance to the main character. Jessica Biel is a beautiful actress, but having looks is simply not enough in Hollywood; you have to have both looks and talent, something Biel has seemed to have forgotten since "The Illusionist". In "Next", she is nothing more than the damsel in distress.

Director Lee Tamahori's CGI abilities once again seem to be taken directly out of a video game, as they do not look realistic in any way. One scene in particular where Cris tries to escape the FBI on a rocky hill had me rolling my eyes at the ceiling, wishing Denzel Washington's character from "Deja Vu" could come over from that particular movie, and give Cris Johnson a lesson in how to survive action movies where the prospect of changing the future is an important thing. Not only was I expecting Denzel Washington to show up in "Next", I also half-expected Kiefer Sutherland to turn up and tell Nicolas Cage off for trying to rip off his TV show due to all the talk of a nuclear bomb threat.

"Deja Vu", another future-altering thriller, is a much better and watchable movie than "Next". This movie turned out to be a waste of potential, and I mean a waste. All I have to say is, next movie, please.

And if you are reading this review and can actually see ahead two minutes into the future, I apologize for taking so long. After all, you could have just looked ahead two minutes and seen me say that this movie is bad.

MY RATING: *1/2 (out of four stars.)

sshuttari · 04-28-2007, 06:13 PM

I liked it

even though it wasn't amazing or anything, 6.8/10

Ewok Droppings · 04-28-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moviebuff801

I'm often asked how it is that I am able to enjoy the majority of the movies I see on a regular basis,

This says to me that you usually are partial to movies that others don't enjoy. No offense, but this sort of distorts my perspective on your review because it's probably not the type of movie you'd like anyways right?

MovieBuff801 · 04-28-2007, 06:20 PM

^^Actually, I usually somewhat enjoy movies like this. But "Next" had no brain and seemed to go nowhere, taking 1 hr. and 36 minutes to get there. I would not recommend this movie whatsoever.

Tzarinna · 04-28-2007, 07:10 PM

I ran into a friend at the theater Friday. I grimaced when she told me she was going to see it. Ran into a lady at the bar tonight and she was going to go see it. I mean I love Nicolas Cage but this is not drawing me at all.

FranklinTard · 04-28-2007, 09:15 PM

look at his hair, he produced the movie but he had no say on his hardoo?

jesus, nic cage should be banned from hollywood.

Ewok Droppings · 04-29-2007, 10:17 AM

I went to see this last night with some friends. It wasn't that bad - but wasn't really theater worthy and would be better as a rental later. My biggest complaint with this movie was that I didn't think Nicolas Cage and Jessica Beil had any chemistry whatsoever. It was crazy how they went from meeting to sleeping together and in love in the matter of a few days.

also, there is a big difference between seeing the future and experiencing the future IMO.

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

Overall decent - but not great:

7/10

MovieBuff801 · 04-29-2007, 12:52 PM

I admit, the first ten to twenty minutes was kinda decent, but then the film began to spiral downward until it got to the point where I just didn't care anymore.

And I agree about the chemistry between Cage and Biel; it simply wasn't there.

hoopla · 04-29-2007, 10:13 PM

I can't believe people are giving this movie 9 and 10 !

I believe that 2007 is going to set a new record for BAD hollywood movies!

And Nicolas Cage as the worst actor of 2007 ! After seeing Ghost rider and

now this, aaaaah let's just hope National Treasure would cover all of his

awful movies of 2007.

And Yeah, it looks like Lee Tamahori is going to be the next Uwe Boll !

1/10

mjb · 04-30-2007, 01:18 AM

Wewll it look like I'm in the minority. i liked the movie. Interesting concept, but wasn't flushed out to achieve it's full potential. I agree that Cage and Beil had 0 chemistry.

7/10

HaDoKen · 04-30-2007, 08:26 AM

wasnt that bad, preferred shooter which I saw the following night after i saw Next

Evilution · 04-30-2007, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoopla

And Yeah, it looks like Lee Tamahori is going to be the next Uwe Boll !

1/10

Nah, Lee Tamahori made "Once Were Warriors" before turning tricks for the Hollywood system. He'll always have that film to seperate him from the hack pack. Uwe hasn't done anything remotely close to "Once Were Warriors".

"Next," well...it certainly had an intriguing concept--I really can't offer anymore than that. I haven't been upset with an ending this ridiculous since "High Tension". Oops, is that saying too much?

HaDoKen · 04-30-2007, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evilution

Nah, Lee Tamahori made "Once Were Warriors" before turning tricks for the Hollywood system. He'll always have that film to seperate him from the hack pack. Uwe hasn't done anything remotely close to "Once Were Warriors".

"Next," well...it certainly had an intriguing concept--I really can't offer anymore than that. I haven't been upset with an ending this ridiculous since "High Tension". Oops, is that saying too much?

Becareful what you say about Uwe Boll or else he'll invite you into the ring

hammerhedd11 · 05-02-2007, 05:51 PM

What is the twist ending that everybody seems to hate?

Ewok Droppings · 05-02-2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammerhedd11

What is the twist ending that everybody seems to hate?

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

Tzarinna · 05-02-2007, 09:07 PM

Now I'm getting curious but I will not click that button.

Damn,it you guys are going to have my ass in the theater to see this grimacing at Nic's hair.

FranklinTard · 07-03-2007, 06:53 PM

well nic cage still sucks. (thats obvious) but this was def better than fantastic four 2.... (thats not saying much)

shained · 07-03-2007, 10:00 PM

Ok franklin you've gone too far dont be dissin Nic Cage he's a hero. Does really good action entertainment ie The Rock, Face Off, Con Air and some amazing acting in films like City of Angels, Matchstick Men, Lord of War, Bringing out the dead. How can you hate a man that has made so many good-great films.

Ok he has a few clangers, Snake Eyes, The Wicker Man, Adaptation and some that fall in the middle ie Windtalkers, Next etc.

This film was good can' t quite decide between a 6 or a 7 and as i dont do decimals or halfs gonna leave it at 6 for now. Good action scenes, pretty funny but it just feels like half a film

FranklinTard · 07-03-2007, 10:11 PM

i stand by what i said. and now, hes even dragging all the actors/actresses down with him, its like hes some sort of black hole....

ok now im just trying to get to you.

hated the film.

shained · 07-03-2007, 10:20 PM

Have to agree to disagree here been one of my favourite actors since i was a kid. I will see any film with him in it just because of that fact.

I didn't wanna see Ghost Rider thought it looked awful but thought nah Nic Cage is in it, it can't be that bad and it wasn't. Nothing great mind but not as bad as i thought it would be.

Oh yeh and i even forgot Weather Man in that list, that was great as well.

View Poll Results: How Do You Rate "Next"?
1	3	20.00%
2	1	6.67%
3	1	6.67%
4	0	0%
5	0	0%
6	3	20.00%
7	3	20.00%
8	2	13.33%
9	1	6.67%
10	1	6.67%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

04-28-2007, 05:45 PM	#1
MovieBuff801 Fringe Division Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Walter's Lab Posts: 10,889	"Next" - Review Thread Next, Please I'm often asked how it is that I am able to enjoy the majority of the movies I see on a regular basis, and my answer is I try to go into each of them with an open mind with my "Willing Suspension of Disbelief" turned fully on. But near the halfway mark of "Next", I realized that this movie is so convoluted and sloppy, that even with the weapon of enjoyment inside my head switched on, I could not believe a single moment of the ludicrous action sequences. And since "Next" is meant to be a sci-fi action thriller, that is definitely not a good thing. Nicolas Cage is one of my favorite actors and can normally be good in almost any role he inhabits, but here he is reduced to just being a mildly interesting character with a few infinitesimal moments of amusement. Julianne Moore is nothing more than a cookie-cutter character in the movie just to offer minor complications for our so-called "hero" of the story. Jessica Biel, who proved that she can most certainly act in last year's mesmerising mystery "The Illusionist", plays the worrisome love-interest who constantly runs from the bad guys, trying not to get shot. "Next" is based on a short story from famous sci-fi writer Phillip K. Dick entitled "The Golden Man". It is reported that "Next" has an entirely different storyline, but the same interesting detail for its main character. Cris Johnson (Nicolas Cage) is a man who has the ability to see precisely two minutes into the future and alter it without much of a consequence. Cris's day job is a stage magician in Las Vegas, and he spends his spare time gambling at poker tables. But this unique ability has attracted the attention of Federal Agent Callie Ferris (Julianne Moore); she wishes to use Cris's power to see as far ahead as possible into the future so that they can locate and disarm a nuclear bomb that has been smuggled into Los Angeles by ruthless terrorists. Now at this point, if you are reminded of the hit TV show "24", then you are not alone. Cris tries to evade Ferris and her agents and spend some time with his new girlfriend Liz (Jessica Biel), because he knows that the FBI will never let him go if he complies with their wishes. Recently, Liz has been appearing in some of Cris's visions, however he cannot figure out why. But, unfortuneately, that specific plot point is never fully explained and that is just one of my many, many problems with this movie. The whole movie seems to be made up of mindless, over-the-top action sequences that are just there for the sake of the movie. And all of this leads up to a "twist" that is what I consider the worst pay-off in the history of film every time it is used. Nicolas Cage appears bored in this movie as Cris Johnson. He is able to convince you up to a point, but mainly he lulls through each scene as if he is waiting to be offered a better movie. But I admit, Cage does deliver some trademark moments of quirkiness that only Nicolas Cage can pull off. Julianne Moore's Callie Ferris is just like Jack Bauer, only with longer hair and a more petite body. Her character never really serves any purpose, other than act as an emcumbrance to the main character. Jessica Biel is a beautiful actress, but having looks is simply not enough in Hollywood; you have to have both looks and talent, something Biel has seemed to have forgotten since "The Illusionist". In "Next", she is nothing more than the damsel in distress. Director Lee Tamahori's CGI abilities once again seem to be taken directly out of a video game, as they do not look realistic in any way. One scene in particular where Cris tries to escape the FBI on a rocky hill had me rolling my eyes at the ceiling, wishing Denzel Washington's character from "Deja Vu" could come over from that particular movie, and give Cris Johnson a lesson in how to survive action movies where the prospect of changing the future is an important thing. Not only was I expecting Denzel Washington to show up in "Next", I also half-expected Kiefer Sutherland to turn up and tell Nicolas Cage off for trying to rip off his TV show due to all the talk of a nuclear bomb threat. "Deja Vu", another future-altering thriller, is a much better and watchable movie than "Next". This movie turned out to be a waste of potential, and I mean a waste. All I have to say is, next movie, please. And if you are reading this review and can actually see ahead two minutes into the future, I apologize for taking so long. After all, you could have just looked ahead two minutes and seen me say that this movie is bad. MY RATING: 1/2 (out of four stars.) __________________ AFI Top 100 Movies (1998) Seen:* 67 out of 100 Last edited by MovieBuff801; 04-28-2007 at 05:47 PM.

04-28-2007, 06:20 PM	#4
MovieBuff801 Fringe Division Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Walter's Lab Posts: 10,889	^^Actually, I usually somewhat enjoy movies like this. But "Next" had no brain and seemed to go nowhere, taking 1 hr. and 36 minutes to get there. I would not recommend this movie whatsoever. __________________ AFI Top 100 Movies (1998) Seen: 67 out of 100

04-28-2007, 07:10 PM	#5
Tzarinna Prepare for glory! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Prague Posts: 4,123	I ran into a friend at the theater Friday. I grimaced when she told me she was going to see it. Ran into a lady at the bar tonight and she was going to go see it. I mean I love Nicolas Cage but this is not drawing me at all. __________________ King Leonidas: Then what must a king do to save his world when the very laws he has sworn to protect force him to do nothing? Queen Gorgo: It is not a question of what a Spartan citizen should do, nor a husband, nor a king. Instead, ask yourself, my dearest love, what would a free man do? http://tzarinna.dvdaf.com/owned

04-29-2007, 10:17 AM	#7
Ewok Droppings Executive Producer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Endor Forest Floor Posts: 14,450	I went to see this last night with some friends. It wasn't that bad - but wasn't really theater worthy and would be better as a rental later. My biggest complaint with this movie was that I didn't think Nicolas Cage and Jessica Beil had any chemistry whatsoever. It was crazy how they went from meeting to sleeping together and in love in the matter of a few days. also, there is a big difference between seeing the future and experiencing the future IMO. Spoiler!!! Click to Read!: When Nick Cage started splitting himself up and looking for the correct path through the warehouse - that was a little bit beyond seeing into the future. And then I wondered why he wouldn't tell the agent who got shot in the head to go a different direction? Overall decent - but not great: 7/10 __________________ The flat Earth myth is one of the greatest errors in modern history.

04-28-2007, 09:15 PM	#6
FranklinTard Damn,ThatsAColdAssHonkey Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 15,735	look at his hair, he produced the movie but he had no say on his hardoo? jesus, nic cage should be banned from hollywood.

04-29-2007, 12:52 PM	#8
MovieBuff801 Fringe Division Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Walter's Lab Posts: 10,889	I admit, the first ten to twenty minutes was kinda decent, but then the film began to spiral downward until it got to the point where I just didn't care anymore. And I agree about the chemistry between Cage and Biel; it simply wasn't there. __________________ AFI Top 100 Movies (1998) Seen: 67 out of 100

04-29-2007, 10:13 PM	#9
hoopla Grip Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kuwait Posts: 6	I can't believe people are giving this movie 9 and 10 ! I believe that 2007 is going to set a new record for BAD hollywood movies! And Nicolas Cage as the worst actor of 2007 ! After seeing Ghost rider and now this, aaaaah let's just hope National Treasure would cover all of his awful movies of 2007. And Yeah, it looks like Lee Tamahori is going to be the next Uwe Boll ! 1/10 Last edited by hoopla; 04-29-2007 at 10:14 PM. Reason: a Mistake

04-30-2007, 01:18 AM	#10
mjb Executive Producer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: south fl Posts: 294	Wewll it look like I'm in the minority. i liked the movie. Interesting concept, but wasn't flushed out to achieve it's full potential. I agree that Cage and Beil had 0 chemistry. 7/10

04-30-2007, 08:26 AM	#11
HaDoKen The ****** User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 10,253	wasnt that bad, preferred shooter which I saw the following night after i saw Next __________________ You Must Defeat Sheng Long To Stand A Chance. No You Must Be Able To Shag Long To Stand A Chance.

05-02-2007, 05:51 PM	#14
hammerhedd11 Comic Book and Movie lover Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,101	What is the twist ending that everybody seems to hate? __________________ hammerhedd11's most anticipated movies for 08 Cloverfield-9/10 Be Kind Rewind- 6/10 Jumper-4/10 Vantage Point- 7/10 Iron Man- 8/10 Speed Racer Pineapple Express- 9/10 Prince Caspian- 7/10 Indiana Jones- 8/10 The Happening The Incredible Hulk-8/10 Hellboy 2 Hancock- 8/10 The Dark Knight- 10/10 Quantam of Solace

05-02-2007, 09:07 PM	#16
Tzarinna Prepare for glory! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Prague Posts: 4,123	Now I'm getting curious but I will not click that button. Damn,it you guys are going to have my ass in the theater to see this grimacing at Nic's hair. __________________ King Leonidas: Then what must a king do to save his world when the very laws he has sworn to protect force him to do nothing? Queen Gorgo: It is not a question of what a Spartan citizen should do, nor a husband, nor a king. Instead, ask yourself, my dearest love, what would a free man do? http://tzarinna.dvdaf.com/owned

07-03-2007, 06:53 PM	#17
FranklinTard Damn,ThatsAColdAssHonkey Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 15,735	well nic cage still sucks. (thats obvious) but this was def better than fantastic four 2.... (thats not saying much)

07-03-2007, 10:00 PM	#18
shained Y.N.W.A Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: liverpool, england Posts: 3,385	Ok franklin you've gone too far dont be dissin Nic Cage he's a hero. Does really good action entertainment ie The Rock, Face Off, Con Air and some amazing acting in films like City of Angels, Matchstick Men, Lord of War, Bringing out the dead. How can you hate a man that has made so many good-great films. Ok he has a few clangers, Snake Eyes, The Wicker Man, Adaptation and some that fall in the middle ie Windtalkers, Next etc. This film was good can' t quite decide between a 6 or a 7 and as i dont do decimals or halfs gonna leave it at 6 for now. Good action scenes, pretty funny but it just feels like half a film __________________ Liverpool Football Club You'll Never Walk Alone Letterboxd

07-03-2007, 10:11 PM	#19
FranklinTard Damn,ThatsAColdAssHonkey Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 15,735	i stand by what i said. and now, hes even dragging all the actors/actresses down with him, its like hes some sort of black hole.... ok now im just trying to get to you. hated the film.

07-03-2007, 10:20 PM	#20
shained Y.N.W.A Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: liverpool, england Posts: 3,385	Have to agree to disagree here been one of my favourite actors since i was a kid. I will see any film with him in it just because of that fact. I didn't wanna see Ghost Rider thought it looked awful but thought nah Nic Cage is in it, it can't be that bad and it wasn't. Nothing great mind but not as bad as i thought it would be. Oh yeh and i even forgot Weather Man in that list, that was great as well. __________________ Liverpool Football Club You'll Never Walk Alone Letterboxd