Next Generation

Rhys Halliwell's Next Generation, a sequel to the 200 short Generation X, is, to put it simply, a bad drama. Watching it has, if anything, made me appreciate the original more, even if I disliked that one too. Fueled by a ridiculous story, boring pace, and lack of originality, this movie fails to become the drama of the year.

The story, told in flashback, is basically a new episode in the life of Generation X's main character. This time, the story deals with how his life takes a drastic turn when problems with school bullies end in bloody results. However, for all I care, the character is something new. There's NO mention of the original movie, and the character doesn't have any sort of psychological trauma following the events of part 1. If you're thinking "that's a little too much to ask", well, it isn't. That's one of the main problems that this movie has: it's superficial to the bone, and NOTHING seems like it would truly happen to anyone in such a ridiculous manner.

As previously stated, the movie's conflicts are never studied at all. Unlike Blake Walker's superior Delicate Mind, the friendship between 2 of the characters in the movie is completely banal. They might be friends in the movie, but it sure as hell doesn't show. Furthermore, the actual bullying and fighting is shallow, pathetic, and has no real reason. There's some character development and references to one of the bullies during a very well done flashback scene, but they don't amount to anything. They just give the bullying a supposed tone of seriousness which the movie doesn't follow after that.

On the technical department, the movie fares as simply average. Direction and animation was decent most of the times, although the end credits were a little too similar to Sgt. Steve's "video album" technique. The voices, as expected from Rhys Halliwell, sound weird and electronic. Get a better sound card, my friend. As for the music, it's definitely one of the movie's down points. Just a note: EVERYONE HATES THE "CLUBBED TO DEATH" SONG. STOP USING IT. As if that wasn't enough, the music always had a slightly bad quality, and hisses (especially in the beginning scene).

The ending wasn't as predictable as in the original, but I still got most of it. I think. I'd be sure if it wasn't for the fact that the ending (i mean the ENDing) completely sucks and I wasn't totally sure of what happened. If I'm correct in what I think it is, then I once again guessed it. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, seeing as every single "twist" in the movie seems to have spawned by a "hey, what would REALLY be completely opposite to a normal, credible event?". The movie would be shocking if it weren't so dumb and predictable. The pace wasn't very good either, and it made me realize how tightly edited the original was.

What's saddening is that the foundation for a good movie is there; if it would have been explored in a realistic, emotional way, it could have easily been a great, disturbing movie. As it stands, it's simply a missed opportunity and an unworthy sequel to an unworthy film.

2 out of 4 stars.




Review by Andres.