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
