Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence, some language and brief sexuality.

88 Minutes

Directed By: Doug Liman

Written By: David S. Goyer and Jim Uls

Let me tell you about my day so far. Coffee in Paris, Surfed the Maldives. Took a little nap on Mount Kilimanjaro. Oh yeah, and I got digits from this Polish chick in Rijo. And then I jumped back for the final quarter of the NBA finals. Court side, of course. And all that was before lunch. -David

Synopsis

In the peak of adolescent disparagement a young boy finds himself able to teleport.  At first he has difficultly controlling it, but when he has an understanding and control, he takes off and leaves his single father alone.  Eight years later he’s living the high life, in a fancy penthouse visiting wherever, whenever he wants.  Soon, fate catches up with him and he finds himself in the middle of war against those who wishes all of his kind dead.  He then begins the fight for answers and survival.

Review

An action/science fiction film coming from the makers of The Jason Bourne Movies is something highly anticipated no matter what the subject in question is, nor your leading actors.  Jumper was not the awesome success that The Bourne movies were, but it was no slouch either.  Hayden Christensen is in his first leading role without a massive cast and already created mythology and fans to support him, and he pulled it off quite well.  If he can continue down this path as action hero there would be no complaints in my department.  The last many years I’ve suffered the dwindling capacity to believe someone can ever actually live up to the action hero status that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sly Stallone created for the 80’s and early 90’s.  In fact, I’m resolved to say there will never be another Arnie or Sly.  Though guys like Vin Diesal and Matt Damon (in his case reputably) have attempted to play the part of major action star.  Hayden Christensen probably won’t fill those shoes either, but in Jumper he proved to be charismatic, masculine, and tangible all at the same time.  Being incredibly attractive certainly doesn’t hurt.  If he didn’t pull it off Jumper would not have been half the film it was.

The character’s were developed without giving too much away but their motivations that were the catalyst for the rest of the story were clear, concise, and made the future events plausible because they were focused and created at a natural pacing.  By the time David does skip past his adolescence into adulthood we see how his childhood trauma’s have influenced the way he has chosen to live with his gift.  His life is extravagant and glorified, but his is still alone and still yearns for the girl who stole his heart years ago.  The events that transpire after this are completely believable because of the early characterization.

Stylistically, the movie was not overwhelming, which was an absolute disappointment.  The way the Bourne movies, and even Mr. And Mrs. Smith were shot, were captivating to watch.  All had very definitive looks and textures, while Jumper clearly lacked there.  Some of the sites the film was shot at offered so much to capitalize on visually, but Doug Liman missed the marker entirely on that and resorted to focusing more on the visual effects that coincided with these amazing locations.

The visual effects did however rock.  The actual transporting, and the discovery of being able to transport other people, vehicles, etc. brought a continuing growing element that kept the entire concept fresh and interesting throughout the story, which was less than complicated itself.  But with solid acting, good character development, and some pretty intense effects, Jumper was a vastly entertaining movie to watch.

Cast

• Hayden Christensen as Davey aka David Rice
• Samuel L. Jackson as Roland
• Diane Lane as Mary Rice
• Jamie Bell as Griffin
• Rachael Bilson as Millie Harris
• Michael Rooker as William Rice

The best character in the story was Griffin, played by Jamie Bell.  His delivery was so authentic I found myself surprised to be watching a one dimensional action flick.  His charisma, and the depth he contributed made the movie all that much more.  Sam Jackson is riot no matter what he does, and pretty much succeeds in doing whatever it is he’s attempting to do in any role, be it ridding of snakes on a plane or carrying around a mans soul.  In Jumper he’s the big bad who leads the group that wants to rid the world of all the Jumpers and is pretty intimidating, charismatic, you know……all the things one expects from a Sam Jackson performance.  Diane Lanes small role was actually kind of awkward, though her character leaving the movie open ended in the way that concludes the story but is ready for another chapter, was not unlike the end of a Bourne movie, and I liked what that offered.  It was really a good cast that satisfied the bulk of the story in making the character’s plausible in a very unrealistic universe.

Ratings And Suggestions

Jumper was pure popcorn flick fun.  It’s not going to dwell with you for days, or be remembered as the best action flick of the year, but it certainly was a solid movie that may find it’s way into my DVD collection eventually.  It’s violence and action sequences are hardly offensive, and I really don’t see the crime in letting a younger than 13 audience view it.  For a lot of fun, with some pretty astounding action Jumper is your movie rental this week.  You won’t be sorry so long as you don’t expect Jason Bourne.  Three out of Four Stars.

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