Next (2007)

Director:

Lee Tamahori

Writers (WGA):

Gary Goldman (screenplay) and
Jonathan Hensleigh (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

27 April 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Fantasy | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

If you can see the future, you can save it.

Plot:

A Las Vegas magician who can see into the future is pursued by FBI agents seeking to use his abilities to prevent a nuclear terrorist attack.

Plot Keywords:

Magician | FBI Agent | FBI | Nuclear Attack | Torture

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Nicolas Cage	...	Cris Johnson
Julianne Moore	...	Callie Ferris
Jessica Biel	...	Liz Cooper
Thomas Kretschmann	...	Mr. Smith
Tory Kittles	...	Cavanaugh
José Zúñiga	...	Security Chief Roybal (as Jose Zuniga)
Jim Beaver	...	Wisdom
Jason Butler Harner	...	Jeff Baines
Michael Trucco	...	Kendall
Enzo Cilenti	...	Mr. Jones
Laetitia Danielle	...	Miss Brown
Nicolas Pajon	...	Mr. Green
Sergej Trifunovic	...	Mr. White
Charles Chun	...	Davis
Patricia Prata	...	Showgirl

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action, and some language.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Ireland:12A | Finland:K-15 | Netherlands:12 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Norway:15 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #42014) | Malaysia:U | Sweden:11 | Denmark:11 | Canada:PG (British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | France:U | Portugal:M/12 | Germany:16 | South Africa:10V (DVD rating) | UK:12 (DVD rating) | UK:12A (original rating) | South Africa:13V (original rating) | Hong Kong:IIA | Argentina:13 | Italy:T | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA

Company:

Initial Entertainment Group (IEG)

Trivia:

The film's translation in Russia is "The Prophet"

Goofs:

Factual errors: The sniper twice tries to make a cell phone call. Both times he gets three tones and a recorded message telling him, "Your call cannot be completed as dialed. Check the number and dial again." Between attempts his phone's LCD reports "NO SERVICE" because previously all cell service was shut down. Such recordings can only come from the service; they're not embedded in every handset.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Emcee: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the man who knows what you're going to do before you do it. The amazing Frank Cadillac!

Movie Connections:

Features Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Soundtrack:

A Little Less Conversation

Great mindbender

Next is one of those films that requires a second viewing. There's a lot going on and the plot doubles back on itself multiple times. Granted, there are some plot holes and some motivations are suspect, but overall it tends to entertain and keep you going more often than not.

Nicolas Cage plays Cris Johnson, a man who can see two minutes into the future and predict what will happen. The problem is that the future constantly shifts and every action will change the next future. The fact that he can only see up to 2 minutes ahead also limits him somewhat. It does however help greatly in his magic career as a Las Vegas showman. It also helps when playing small time gambling. Unfortunately, it has gotten the attention of the FBI who want Cris to help them stop a Russia nuclear bomb from being detonated on American soil.

As I said, there's a lot of backtracking in the story, which may serve to confuse some but is really important to the storyline. Cage turns in a great performance as the slightly eccentric seeming Cris. Julianne Moore is fine as a hard nosed FBI agent and Jessica Biel does all she can with a somewhat thankless role as the love interest.

Overall, I really enjoyed Next. It's a fun sci-fi film that is the perfect start of the summer season.