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Next
Reviewed by Theo Michelfeld
Posted: April 30, 2007

To some, the cardinal sin of any work of art is the perpetration of a cliché. Meanwhile, a film, or a song, or a painting, is often empty, and even more often lousy, if its sole purpose is the avoidance of clichés. Yes, it’s wonderful to see something new, to see the birth of a movement or genre. But for every Jackson Pollack in the world, there are probably a thousand wannabes who should simply learn to paint. A well-rendered still life beats plenty of alternatives.

To me, clichés are either mildly annoying or no bother at all. Maybe that’s just my defense mechanism against chronic joylessness at the cinema. In any case, I suppose I judge a film primarily on whether or not it keeps me interested. I’m also a big fan of passion, wit, craftsmanship, and so on… the virtues I frequently espouse in these reviews. But regardless of anything else, if a film engages me from start to finish, then I’ll usually recommend it.

Which brings me to the subject of Next, and unfortunately-titled and cliché-riddled movie that ain’t half bad. Heck, it’s good! Next stars Nicholas Cage as Chris Johnson, a clairvoyant who is able to see up to two minutes into his own future. Chris wants only to be left alone, but the feds want to use his powers to prevent a nuclear catastrophe. Two minutes, he tells them, is hardly enough time to locate and defuse a nuclear bomb. But meanwhile Chris is getting to know a mysterious (and foxy) woman, played by Jessica Biel, whose presence somehow empowers him to see much further into the future. And the rest is Hollywood.

Next is nothing if not assailable, for its premise of course, but also for its slick look, its bland score, its second-class digital effects, its somewhat overly lean and efficient script, and its shovelfuls of clichés. In spite of all that it’s pretty good. This movie kept me hooked and kept me guessing. Its primary virtue, aside from sheer watchableness, is its airtight logic. This is a movie, like Memento or The Sixth Sense, that’s as fun to ponder as it is to watch. In fact, throughout the film I kept telling myself I had found a hole in the logic, only to realize, when all was said and done, that in fact it all made perfect sense. How often can you say that about a movie? Neat trick.

With Next, Hollywood is playing it safe, but that’s not the same as being cynical. This film has almost a throwback quality. It’s a rip-roaring ninety minutes long. Its premise is played for thrills but also, at times, for laughs. Its moral questions are not avoided, but are handled with a very light touch. Its violence is prevalent and pretty much bloodless. And its stars, including Julianne Moore as a tenacious FBI agent, have their charisma set for cruise control. All that’s required of you, the viewer, is to buy a ticket and then set your enjoy button to ON.

Copyright © 2007 Theo Michelfeld