Next

To film something based on P. K. Dick is seriously a skill. Specifically, the problem is not so much filming something, but rather transferring the right atmosphere that one feels from Dick's works. He - actually, he was - an unbelievable visionary, who didn't have very pleasant ideas about the future, but was able to fit them into interesting stories, even small stories, and thus captivate readers all over the world. His visions are usually quite non-action packed, although the films made based on his works try to say something different. It is never directly about action, but it is always important what it is actually about and who it is about. The focus is always on the person, this time with the face of Nicolas Cage, who can see two minutes into the future. This is quite a cool ability for a casino, but only when it concerns his future. However, skills can still be developed. Cage demonstrates his usual maximum. Jessica Biel doesn't play, Julianne Moore is pleasantly villainous. The script oscillates between a proper action ride and some human drama. The action turns out quite well, but this film simply shouldn't have been just about the action. On the other hand, there are worse films based on Dick. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/05/kocour-v-botach-jedna-hodne-blba-svatba.html (19/02/2013)

It’s a relatively enjoyable watch. Next lacks any tension (at least I didn't notice any), it has some rather inconsistent special effects, and Nicolas Cage has a terrible hairstyle (but you get used to it :). But the biggest disappointment is the end, which on the one hand is unexpected (that's the good side), but on the other it leaves the audience really disgruntled. Tamahori should leave this over-engineered madness and return to his roots, à la The Edge, because he's just better off outdoors. But, hey, it's cool to watch, Cage is pretty relatable here (when you get used to the hair) and Jessica Biel is as much of a fox as ever. (22/06/2007)

Come on people, don’t be silly! Nick, you better give that hair back to Tom "Langdon" Hanks, he's gonna need it in Angels & Demons. And you, Lee, try to quickly remember what a great, distinctive film you made in your early days and leave routine to the journeymen of the film strip. One thing is certain, Philip K. Dick was undoubtedly a genius, but in the case of Next I sincerely wonder if the final plot twist that shifted the overall viewer experience from "I certainly don't regret it." to "Once was enough" was really from his pen or just artistic license from the writers. Knowing the work of "Mr. Depression" P.K. Dick, I would bet on the latter, and the result would be all the sadder. (25/06/2007)

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for Lee Tamahori. This guy is a really bad director, and if Next didn't convince anyone, then XXX had to. Starting with unbelievably bad visual effects, ending with a completely insane plot twist, his latest piece has countless mistakes, and the finale gives the film the proverbial crown of stupidity because it contradicts the entire essence and outlining of the main character and his natural abilities. Similarly interesting is the portrayal of Jessica Biel's character, who only needs two minutes in a restaurant and suddenly it's love for a lifetime. In short, the viewer can expect nothing but quality throughout the film. (07/02/2008)

Routineer Lee Tamahori did the usual and so here we have another average action sci-fi movie based on a short story by Dick. It’s watchable, but absolutely nothing here could be described as even slightly above average. Just how little this interests her simply oozes out from Julienne Moore, Cage gives his usual performance and Jessica makes nothing more than an appearance. In view of the subject matter, the movie deserved a couple of visual ideas, but Tamahori is evidently incapable of having any. Instead, he forcibly stuffed in a few terribly rendered CGI scenes that are completely unnecessary (jumping across ahead of the train and the falling beams; could this really not have been done using a stuntman?). A solid average movie to pass time on a rainy morning. (10/06/2007)