Next (2007)

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.

Director:

Lee Tamahori

Writers:

Gary Goldman (screenplay), Jonathan Hensleigh (screenplay)

Stars:

Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore, Jessica Biel

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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	...	NSA Director 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 Rahi Chun	...	Davis (as Charles Chun)
Patricia Prata	...	Showgirl

Storyline

Possessing the extraordinary ability to see precisely two minutes into the future, the low-profile Las Vegas stage magician, Cris Johnson, has managed to keep his unusual skill under the radar. However, Johnson's rare talent has caught the attention of the tough counter-terrorism FBI agent, Callie Ferris, who intends to use the illusionist's unfailing charisma to thwart the murderous plans of a ruthless group of Russian terrorists. Now, a stolen nuclear device threatens to level California, as Cris' beautiful girlfriend, Liz, is being used by the criminals to gain added leverage. Can Cris save both the hostage and the city of Los Angeles with his peculiar gift?

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Plot Keywords:

woman in jeopardy | tape over mouth | 7 eleven store | magician | fbi | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French German Serbian

Release Date:

27 April 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Next

Filming Locations:

Running Springs, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$70,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,133,049, 29 April 2007

Gross USA:

$18,211,013

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$77,421,190

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Revolution Studios, Initial Entertainment Group (IEG)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Columbia Pictures was originally going to distribute the film and release it in September 2006 (it had a distribution deal with Revolution Studios), but they dropped the film in January 2007, and Paramount Pictures picked it up.

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Goofs

(at around 20 mins) Early scene in which Mr. Roybal head of security is met by the two "Nevada Gaming commission officers" this takes place on the roof of a parking structure in which the camera view shows the Stratosphere tower over the left shoulder of the agent and another casino with lights on the roof over his right. There is no such parking structure and as such the Stratosphere tower and casino are completely by themselves on the strip with a good long walk to the Sands being the closest casino and even its 3 or so blocks away.

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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!

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Crazy Credits

A ticking clock is superimposed on Revolution Studios' and Saturn Films' opening logos.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Anti-Climactic Movie Endings (2016)

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Soundtracks

Asi Sera
Written by Rick Garcia and Rene Reyes
Performed by The Green Car Motel

User Reviews

Golden Man

I had seen the trailer of this movie and I found the story to be old – a person who can see into the future, so my expectations from the movie was low. I like Nicolas Cage and that is why I went to see this movie.

The movie is about a magician Cris Johnson (Cage) who can see his own future for only 2 minutes ahead. The FBI Officer (Julianne Moore) is behind him to seek his help to uncover a nuclear weapon post in LA; the terrorist group is after him because they too want to be ahead of FBI with the help of Cage, but Cage does not want to help anyone and is on a run and his purpose is to seek a girl (Jessica Biel) whose future he can see for a longer period. The movie is about how Cage gets involved in helping FBI – only to realize in the end that he is able to save his girl friend instead of saving 8 million population of LA. The last scene of the movie (that I will not tell now and spoil the show) kept me unsatisfied with the movie.

Nicolas Cage has produced the movie himself. Lee Tamahori (Sopranos, Die Another Day, Along came a Spider fame) has directed the movie. The movie is based on a novel called "Golden Man".

Even though the story is old, the format of telling it, is new. From the first scene the director without wasting any time tells you that Cage can see his future and then takes you into unwinding of action, and never let go the pace of the movie. The movie has lots of twists and turns; mostly predictable – once we know that hero can see the future; but still maintains interest throughout.

Nicolas Cage looks a bit haggard but has acted well. Juliaane Moore and beautiful Jessica Biel have nothing extra-ordinary to do and their characters help the movie go forward. The movie has some good actions scenes and few funny moments. Funny moments because the Director allows the audience to see all the options Cage can think and see in future – and then chooses one that best suiting him.

I am having this feeling that Nicolas Cage is trying to re-invent himself in a much remembered screen character that can give him at least a few more innings as sequels. His choosing Ghost Rider and now this character of Next – both have tremendous scope for sequels like James Bond, Spiderman, Superman, Die Hard, etc. Sadly with box office not ticking the counters strongly – the hope of Cage does not seem to being materializing soon.

(Stars 6 out of 10)