Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Nicolas Cage | ... | ||
Julianne Moore | ... | ||
Jessica Biel | ... | ||
Thomas Kretschmann | ... | ||
Tory Kittles | ... | ||
José Zúñiga | ... |
Security Chief Roybal
(as Jose Zuniga)
|
|
Jim Beaver | ... |
NSA Director Wisdom
|
|
Jason Butler Harner | ... | ||
Michael Trucco | ... | ||
Enzo Cilenti | ... | ||
Laetitia Danielle | ... | ||
Nicolas Pajon | ... | ||
Sergej Trifunovic | ... | ||
Charles Rahi Chun | ... |
Davis
(as Charles Chun)
|
|
Patricia Prata | ... |
Las Vegas showroom magician Cris Johnson has a secret which torments him: he can see a few minutes into the future. Sick of the examinations he underwent as a child and the interest of the government and medical establishment in his power, he lies low under an assumed name in Vegas, performing cheap tricks and living off small-time gambling "winnings." But when a terrorist group threatens to detonate a nuclear device in Los Angeles, government agent Callie Ferris must use all her wiles to capture Cris and convince him to help her stop the cataclysm. Written by Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>
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.