Next Gen Review

Next Gen

Release Date: 7th September 2018 - Australia (Netflix)

Production Companies

Netflix

Baozou Manhua
Tangent Animation (in association with)
Alibaba Pictures

Distribution

Netflix (Worldwide)

Genre: Animation/Family/

Sci-Fi

Rating: PG

Runtime: 104 minutes

Budget: ¥150,000,000

Plot Summary

A rebellious young girl named Mai finds a top-secret robot and thus starts their friendship. At the same time, they have to contend with an evil madman unleashing terror through his plan involving technology.

Voice Cast

John Krasinski - 7723

Charlyne Yi - Mai

Jason Sudeikis - Justin Pin/Ares

Michael Peña - Momo

David Cross - Dr. Tanner Rice/Q-Bots

Constance Wu - Molly
Kiana Lede - Greenwood
Anna Akana - Ani
Isaac Ryan Brown - Ric

Reba Borr - Diagnostic Computer

Amber Friendly - Mailbox Drone
Jet Jurgensmeyer - Junior
Joe Ksander - Ramen Cup

Shaye Ogbonna - Fan Boy

Jon Oswald - Toothbrush/

Door

Betsy Sodaro - Toliet/Gate/

Hairbrush

Fred Tatasciore - Police

Robots/Robot Podium/

Announcer

Kitana Turnbull - RJ

Charlotte Alexis White - Fan Girl

Crew
Story/Screenplay/Directors - Kevin R. Adams

and Joe Ksander

Creative Director/Storyboard Artist -

Ricardo Curtis
Based on the Comic "7723"/Story/Screenplay -

Wang Nima

Story/Screenplay/Executive Producers -

Olivia Hao and Ricky Rem

Story/Screenplay - Napkin Su and Sasa Zhau

Screenplay - The Baozou Family
Additional Screenplay Material - Ryan W. Smith

Script Translator - Angelina Wang
Executive Producers - Luluyan Fan,

Ounan Hong, Michael Yu, Teger Sheng,

Alfred Jin, Ronbjiang Ye, Jerry Li, Face Hu

and Phyllis Laing

Executive Producer/Artist - Wei Zhang

Producers - Javier Zhang, Jeff Bells,

Patty Hicks, Charlene Logan Kelly,

Yangbin Lu, John Morch and Ken Zorniak

Pre-Production Studio Supervisor/Designer -

Ken Duncan

Production Designer - Craig Sellars

Art Director/Additional Visual Development

Artist/Character Designer/Printing/Main Titles

Art Direction - Richard Chen

Character Designers - Tohru Patrick Awa

and Marceline Gagnon-Tanguay
Character Designer/Animator - Charlie Bonifacio

Additional Visual Development Artist/CG

Supervisor - Conrad Dueck

Additional Visual Development Artist/Surfacing

Supervisor - Shane Jackson

Additional Visual Development Artist/

Modelling/Character Effects Supervisor/

Visual Effects Set Dressing Artist - Andy Carney

Additional Visual Development Artist/

Lighting Supervisor - Alex Carney

Story Supervisor - Joe Giampapa
Storyboard Producer - Wes Lui

Animation Supervisors - Adam Beck

and Wesley Rodricks

CG Supervisor - Brian Foster

Character Effects Technical/Rigging Supervisor -

David Hearn
Director of Photography: Camera - Paul Kohut
Director of Photography: Lighting - Paul Stoldony

Editor - Matt Ahrens
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor/

Re-Recording Mixer - David Acord

Supervising Sound Editor - Steve Slanec

Re-Recording Mixer - Tom Myers

Foley Supervisor - Frank Rinella

Foley Artists - Ronni Brown and Margie O'Malley

Music - Samuel Jones and Alexis Marsh

Executive in Charge of Music - Robyn Klein

Music Supervisor - Justine Von Winterfeldt

Review

The streaming service Netflix has plenty of movies available, including the originals. I had seen some that were watchable, and I was curious about NEXT GEN. Because I looked at the trailer and thought it was similar to Big Hero 6. Big Hero 6 was an action-packed movie with a lot of heart and humour, while NEXT GEN was surprisingly edgier and more of a cautionary tale about the dangers of technology. A significant difference exists between the two main characters in that one focuses on a rebellious teen who finds companionship with a robot. The other revolves around a troubled teen who deeply resents anything robotic but learns to accept her newfound relationship with the robot.

This animated feature reminds me of I, Robot with Will Smith, which used to stream on Netflix. Both movies have similar human protagonists who have a mutual dislike of robots. But later, they bond with one another and face an incoming revolution against humanity. The only thing that bothers me is the type of audience the film aims for and how it contains bleeped-out profanity (courtesy of the foul-mouthed dog), cartoon violence and mature themes.

In looking at the characterisation of NEXT GEN, the young female protagonist is too bratty, unlikable and ungrateful. It is hard to understand her struggles with the new age of technology and some personal issues. However, this angry adolescent is abandoned by her father, bullied by her peers and neglected by her mother. The main robot, however, is a wise and likeable character. The people who made this movie are trying so hard not to copy the design and personality of Baymax for this character.

Overall, the story is good, but the execution is poor. The film even had strong messages, remarkable animation (thanks to the animators for partially using the Blender software) and incredible voice acting from John Krasinski, Charlyne Yi, David Cross and Jason Sudeikis.

Being a Netflix animated movie, it is equal to those in the cinema. While it's not a product of animation giants Disney, Pixar, Blue Sky, Illumination and DreamWorks, it is still a decent movie.

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

Back to Home