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NEXT Needs More Past Reflection PDF Print E-mail
Reviews - Movies
Written by Jenna Bensoussan   
Thursday, 26 April 2007

Image Rating: PG-13
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore, Jessica Biel, Tory Kittles
Directed by: Lee Tamahori


Las Vegas magician Cris Johnson (Nicolas Cage) has a secret. He can see a few minutes into the future. Fearful of becoming a lab rat once again, he stays under the radar by assuming a false stage name, performing cheap tricks and living off small-time gambling schemes. When a terrorist group threatens to detonate a nuclear device in Los Angeles, government agent Callie Ferris (Julianne Moore) must find and capture Cris to convince him to help her stop the bomb from going off and save millions of people from dying.

NEXT is like a combination of Deja Vu and Groundhog Day, only not as smart or funny. You have a man that can travel in time within his own mind and then change the future - as long as the events revolve around his personal life. Not only can he see the future, he can play various outcomes over and over again until he gets the exact outcome he is looking for, leaving the audience to sometimes wonder WHEN the repeating scenarios will end.

The timing in the film is not consistent. The beginning starts off with a good pace, the middle is too slow and the end too fast. Timing isn't the only thing that's off. The romantic plotline between Cris and Liz (Jessica Biel) is weak at best. It seems like her character was written in just for a little forced romance that really isn't necessary. In fact, logistically speaking, much of the film's plot is a bit far-fetched and convoluted.

For example, why would a federal agent seek a magician to help her find a terrorist group—why and/or how would she even know to look for him? Moore's character (Ferris) is a seemingly intelligent, strong kick-ass agent. Why would such a person even believe in such fantastical abilities by a man she had never met—and more importantly—how can anyone believe she didn't get crap about it from her colleagues?

Another thing that tugs at the neuron receptors....Johnson's complete refusal to help agent Ferris knowing there were millions of people's lives at stake...especially with the ending settled on for this production. Where were his many future-playback scenarios then? Why did he have time to do so many future repeats at one time, and not enough time to do them when things seemed much more pertinent to do so (I hardly think meeting a girl is more important than saving millions of lives...)? Apparently in this fictitious world it is.

After reading all of this you may think I hated the movie. Well, I didn't. I went to view this film with certain expectations, and the production did not live up to them; however, if you go into it without your analytical cap on, you might actually enjoy it. It has plenty of action, special effects and character interaction to keep you entertained...just don't go expecting a masterpiece or anything thought-provoking. Personally, I would wait and rent it on DVD - it's not worth the over-inflated price of movie theater refreshments (unless you eat before you go).





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No. 2 :
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! hzsgxxwybmbqec
202.64.112.65
Submitted by flymqpzjft • 2007-07-06 08:09:59
No. 1 :
It sounds as if we've seen most of the movie in the previews then. I had wanted to go and see this, however, I may just wait until it hits the cheap theater or the stores. Thanks Jenna ~~Dee
Submitted by dliddle • 2007-05-07 06:46:39
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