NEXT

Posted by Joshua Martin (joshua@filmschoolrejects.com) on April 26, 2007

Sometimes when you see a trailer you come in expecting to feel a certain way about a movie. I, for one, love Jessica Biel as an actress. To me, the prospect of Julianne Moore and Jessica Biel could really set the scene for some intense moments. Nicholas Cage isn’t my favorite sometimes and that really made me feel almost ambivalent about the movie coming into it. I’m all for Sci-fi movies, and anything that potentially really can get into a genre and kind of tear into the ideas of the time and space make me giggle at heart. However, a basic lesson on quantum mechanics is what I didn’t want. This movie is all about Schrodingers cat, and the thought that you are everywhere and nowhere at once.

The premise of this movie is Cris Johnson was born with an ability like any other. Cris was born with the ability to see into his future. How far? Two minutes into his life, and only thing directly affecting his life. Except he’s found one exception. He has had one vision in his life of a female who comes into what appears as a waffle house. He has a time and where, but he doesn’t know when and it could be weeks in the future. He’s never seen this far and it could be directly related to his life somehow, but he knows he’s in love with her. Can this really make a good movie?

Sitting in the screening, I didn’t mind it for the beginning. Look, I’ll be honest. Suspend disbelief when you watch this movie. As you fall right into this story, Cris keeps his talen a secret from everyone. However, there is a character you never ever meet who knows about his talent and the entire FBI know about this talent. The FBI starts tracking him because the antagonists in this movie have stolen a 5 kiloton nuke with plans of exploding it somewhere between LA and Arizona. Pin meeting a girl and sleeping with her in a day on that, and you’ve got the beginning of the story.

Nicholas Cage plays the hero, whom can see the future. Honestly, the role will remind you a lot of a Sci-Fi National Treasure-esque guy. Not a bad role by any means, honestly in this movie he’s almost funny. His character has a little bit of style and flair but it’s still like Nick Cage. There is no way around that, and if you are into him, then okay. It’s no Con-Air though.

Jessica Biel is the love interest in the movie. She doesn’t play a butch superwoman for once. I was happy to see her in her role, and I liked it. She was believable and really gave his love interest some fun. I thought she did really well, so I was impressed with her second billing on this movie. Jessica showed a compassion and emotion that was enjoyable and exciting.

Julianne Moore? No. Horrid. She honestly was one of the worst parts of the movie. She’s not a believable cop. She’s stiff, awkward and compensates for control with bitch in this movie. It doesn’t work, and she comes across as a douche. In no way does she seem like someone that would become this top level agent. On all of that, what FBI group goes after a guy who can see only 2 minutes into the future, or whom even believes that?

The ending is what ruined this movie. I won’t spoil the ending, but it just keeps it from being a good movie. I gave the movie a 79.95. You can round it up to a B-, because Jessica Biel walks around in a towel, but if you’re a hard grader it’s a C+. You won’t be mad at yourself for spending the money to watch it, but there are better choices.

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B

Don't agree with the low score... Awesome movie. Reviewers all over are giving it 1 star... Don't understand. Very philosophical. Look a little deeper when you review.

B

In real life, the CIA looked into using remote viewers, so it isn't too far fetched to think in such a time of crisis that the FBI, knowing that Chris exists, would do the same.

SPOILER:

They explain in the film how the FBI found out about him.... he was studied as a child so it is in his records...

The FBI figured out he could see into the future only 2 minutes... But then they realized at the diner that he could see further... why else would he have been there everyday for the length of time the manager told them?

Ukky

I actually found ConAir to be the worst of Cage's movies. The only saving grace of it was Cage himself. I *am* a Nicholas Cage fan (not rabid, but rather devote) but I'm also critical. The movie was great, but you're right, the ending was a let down.

*SPOILERS*

Basically, if the ending had actually had a *real* ending I'd have been happy. In fact I was all psyched up for him to run through a whole new "attempt" with new scenes and new outcomes (kinda like an on-screen choose your own adventure after you get to the "you died, you suck, go back and try again") and then suddenly . . . we had a voice over. And I told myself "wait, this isn't Lord of War and it's the first voice over of the movie" and I got a bad feeling.

And lo and behold, I was correct. The movie was over. No happy ending, just kinda hanging there out in space. But what an awesome idea! So what if it's hokie for those of us that don't buy ESP or other odd mental abilities? Comic book heroes have been made on less. So the fact that they ended it so quickly was sad.

Ironically, more movies these days are being made longer. PotC, for example, the Spiderman movies, LotR, etc. So after only an hour and a half, I think the movie could have used another 30 minutes. If it had, I would have given it an A myself. As it is, a B from me.

Grant

I dont agree! I loved the movie, it had me on the edge of my seat every second, and im a tough guy 2 please, Its in my top 5 best films just cuz its diffrent, and because we can all relate 2 it, i think most of us wish we could go back in the past and change the bad decisions we made, the ending did kill me , not that it was bad, i thought it was great , just being left empty handed , i hope theirs a #2 showing him going after the Bomb

LW

STUPID movie. i just wasted my RM 10. i would rather to throw my money inside the drain than buy the ticket. It has no ending. hanging because of a stupid dream. eveybody can be a dreamer. SUCKS!!

Je-Lo

NeXt is just right for summer. The story is absolutely perfect for critical movies. It's just the choice of characters. I guess the movie will a hit or shall I say, better off if the choice of artists is appropriate.

Zee

This was a fantastic movie. Nicholage at his best. Julianne Moore too stiff and Jessica Biel didn't quite bring across the emotions required but Nick was great. Very interesting concept.

kat

it was a crap movie, i mean it had all the makings of a good movie good concept okish actors still when he came back from that long ass vision u though oh he will be hella kick ass when he get them this time....
them blah , meh ,wtf

yes it may have been a good movie up until the end i think giving it any higher than the c+ is an over statement. the ending was probably suppose to be an open ended one to have future sequals.

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