Movie and Television Reviews

Perhaps because of his decidedly unconventional looks for a leading man (He used to be bald, but he has hair in Next), I’ve always thought of Nicolas Cage as an artsy actor. And, Cage may have started out that way with Moonstruck and Raising Arizona, but he’s quickly racked up a lengthy list of box-office candy, Con Air, Armageddon, the horrible Face Off, and others that would shame Eric Roberts. Some of that candy has sports bar-like enrichment, however; I enjoyed National Treasure, The Rock, and a couple of others.

Next falls somewhere in between Con Air-like cheesiness and Moonstruck. In fact, if you liked National Treasure, you’ll probably like Next. In Next, Nicolas Cage is Cris Johnson, a professional magician with the gift to foretell by two minutes, although he can, occasionally red line it to one week or, when love is involved, several months. In one of his out-of-spec scans, Cage foresees falling in love with Liz (Jessica Biel and her stunningly gorgeous self), and convinces her to take him to Arizona after failing in several virtual attempts.*

Meanwhile, for the 2132nd time in a Hollywood movie, a Soviet nuclear warhead (I don’t think the Soviets had that many nukes to begin with) has been stolen. The F.B.I, wants to use Cage’s special gift to stop the nuclear plot. That, however, would be too easy. According to Hollywood tradition, a person with a special gift must be reluctant to use it, and, for most of the movie Cage does his best to avoid the very formidable agent Callie Ferris played by Julianne Moore. When finally forced into action, however, Cage uses his powers- big time. Johnson walks around future-seeing everything to save Liz. The special effects during this time are pretty good.

The plot’s 24ish nuclear scenario is essentially a throwaway. We never understand the villain’s motivations for detonating the bomb or even what group they’re supposed to represent. Next’s plot is merely a background with which to showcase Cage’s intriguing mental powers. The movie does deal with Cage’s ability in an interesting manner: the writer’s limit Cris’ powers enough to make it suspenseful, with Cris’ aforementioned two minute future-seeing ability. And the F.B.I employs Johnson's powers logically by having him sit in front of a TV to tip off the feds of any breaking news thus giving the F.B.I an opportunity to intercept the bomb.

However fascinating Cris’ powers, the movie can’t quite make up for the weakness of the both the threadbare plot and the under-developed villains.

Message/politics

None really. Instead of the standard English villains, Next features French ones. It was kind of weird, but the movie never explains why they were French. Otherwise nothing. Most mothers wouldn't want their daughters behaving Liz-like.

*After meeting Johnson three minutes earlier, Liz invites him to share an automobile with her through the most barren terrain in the United States. After something else happens (the lucky dog), she takes his word over the F.B.I's. Didn't her mami ever warn her about this stuff?

You expected a picture of Nic Cage?

Follow up:

Directed by
Lee Tamahori

Writing credits
(WGA)
Gary Goldman (screenplay) and
Jonathan Hensleigh (screenplay) and
Paul Bernbaum (screenplay)

Gary Goldman (screen story)

Philip K. Dick (novel story The Golden Man) (as Phillip K. Dick)

Nicolas Cage ... Cris Johnson

Julianne Moore ... Callie Ferris

Jessica Biel ... Liz

Thomas Kretschmann ... Mr. Smith

Tory Kittles ... Cavanaugh

José Zúñiga ... Security Chief Roybal

Jim Beaver ... Wisdom

Jason Butler Harner ... Jeff Baines

Michael Trucco ... Kendal

Enzo Cilenti ... Mr. Jones
Laetitia Danielle ... Miss Brown

Nicolas Pajon ... Mr. Green

Sergej Trifunovic ... Mr. White

Charles Chun ... Davis

Patricia Prata ... Showgirl
Jon Hughes ... Emcee

Jack Ong ... Korean Man
Alice Kim ... Girl with Necklace (as Alice Kim Cage)
Edith Fields ... Old Lady in Casino

Lorilynn Failor ... Blackjack Dealer

Jessica Barth ... Pretty Blonde
Logan Christopher ... Blonde's Boyfriend
Richard Kay ... Drunk Man

Bonita Friedericy ... Cashier Girl

Danny Downey ... Gunman
Michael Runyard ... Security Guard

Peter Falk ... Irv

Adam Lieberman ... Diner Manager

Miranda Frigon ... Diner Waitress

Sam Kim ... Shadow Tech #1
Max Lee ... Shadow Tech #2
Thomas Siyuja ... Shaman
Kaynece Watahomigie ... Havasupai Child
Dimitri Watahomigie ... Havasupai Child
Nuce Ty-Teray Marshall ... Havasupai Child
Mavis Jones ... Havasupai Child

Paul Rae ... Road Crew Foreman
Hinetoa ... Dead Girl
Jeff Michael ... As Himself

Lisa Joyner ... As Herself

Dean Cudworth ... JTTF Sniper Agent
Chris Palermo ... SWAT Commander