Next

If you are just looking for an action-packed thriller with eye-popping special effects and things blowing up, ‘Next’ is a whole lot of fun. If you are looking for something a little more intriguing, with twists and turns and a plot that makes you think, you might be pleasantly surprised.

‘Next’ can best be described as an ‘action-romance’. It sounds like an awkward combination, and in some spots it is, but for the most part director Lee Tamahori pulls it off quite nicely. The romantic bits are terribly romantic, and putting the lady in peril adds a sense of urgency to the action.

Part of what makes the movie work is Nicholas Cage. Cage has made some highly questionable career choices lately, but in this case he could not be more perfect for a role. He has always excelled at looking cynical and bored, making him the ideal choice to play a man who always knows what’s about to happen.

I give it 3 1/2 stars out of five, and predict that even Murray will like it.

(Murray did like it, but I can't show you what he said because our column was never posted on the Milton Champion website.)

(EDIT - Glitch solved. Our review is now online, although for some reason the published version is missing half a star from my review. In hindsight, though... I can live with that.)