Precognition is a double-edged sword, as Nicolas Cage discovers in “Next.” On the one hand, the ability to see two minutes into the future means you can win at blackjack and correct romantic moves that misfire.
On the other hand … wait, what’s the downside? Oh, right: The government might find about your talent and force you to track down terrorists with a nuclear bomb.
So it goes in “Next,” which bends its own rules too often, even if provides some popcorn entertainment. It begins well, with Cage cast as a greasy, small-time Las Vegas magician who mixes his authentic pre-cog talent with some dumb tricks.
When a woman (Jessica Biel), who has haunted his flash-forward visions, finally shows up in his life, Cage has it made. Except that FBI agent Julianne Moore demands his help with the whole nuclear-bomb thing.
If it weren’t for some bewildering plot holes, “Next” would be a nice time-killer. Director Lee Tamahori (“Die Another Day”) generally brings conviction to his films, even when the material is preposterous, and in Julianne Moore the movie has a better-than-usual antagonist for Cage to fight (she’s a hard-headed agent of the Jack Bauer variety).
The script is based on the story “The Golden Man,” by Philip K. Dick. Dick’s ideas fueled the movies “Blade Runner” and “Minority Report,” but “Next” doesn’t get much going beyond the basic concept.
And even that gets fudged. Some of the biggest moments in the movie rely on Cage being able to suddenly extend his power of clairvoyance hours into in the future, even though we are repeatedly told his limit is two minutes.
The problems would also be solved if he would simply agree to help the government stop the terrorists, which sounds reasonable enough. At one point, with his eyes propped open “Clockwork Orange” style, Cage worries that if he cooperates once, the government will never let him go.
Yeah, but still … it’s a nuclear bomb. Maybe just this once?
Nicolas Cage’s performances are generally either sincere or nutty, but this one falls somewhere in between. His wig does a good job. He hasn’t been making great movies lately (“The Wicker Man,” “Ghost Rider”), but his choices indicate a man having a good time.
One unforgivable thing: setting up wonderful Peter Falk as a supporting character, and then dropping him after a couple of scenes. You don’t do that to Columbo.
Nicolas Cage and Julianne Moore star in “Next.”
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