Cinema review
Directed by Doug Liman
Starring Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell, Rachel Bilson, Samuel L Jackson, Diane Lane, Max Thieriot
Release date 14 February 2008 (UK)

David Rice (Christensen) possesses the ability to teleport, or “jump”, anywhere in the world at will. He uses his power to rob banks in order to fund a carefree, if solitary, life of globe-hopping. Things take a downward turn, however, when he becomes the target of the fanatical sect, the Paladins, led by Roland (Jackson), intent on tracking down and eradicating the Jumpers…

With a premise that offers such a wide range of possibilities to explore – as the tagline says: “Anywhere is possible” – it’s a shame that Jumper limits itself within the confines of a pedestrian, and uninspiring, sci-fi chase movie. For all its flitting between exotic locations the film really goes nowhere.

Jumper begins by portraying a socially awkward 15-year-old David (Thierot) with a miserable home life who first harnesses, and becomes aware of, his power after falling through the ice of a frozen lake. These early scenes are the best part of the film, but shortly after David escapes to New York and robs his first bank we flash forward eight years to find he has grown into a somewhat smug, and far less likeable, playboy. Jumper should have stayed with its adolescent protagonist, as Steven Gould’s original novel did. The elder David is a fantastically dull character whose dreariness is enhanced by Christensen’s wooden acting.

Most of what the film invents after deviating from its source material feels ill-conceived. The Paladins, for one, are uninteresting and unconvincing adversaries. Apart from Roland they’re all faceless drones and despite their electrified weaponry (Jumpers can’t teleport if electrocuted) it’s hard to believe they’d pose much of a threat. Yet instead of doing the obvious and getting hold of a gun the Jumpers inexplicably engage them in hand-to-hand combat.

The inevitable love story feels tacked on and Millie (Bilson) is a submissive excuse for a character whose only purpose is to be captured so that David can rescue her.

Jamie Bell, playing the more experienced Jumper, Griffin, makes a valiant effort to try and breathe some life into the film. He comes across as a mixture of mentor and petulant child and, unlike the rest of the cast, manages to create some interest in the role. It’s not enough to combat the weary flee-then-fight routine the film settles into and then repeatedly regurgitates, but at least he tries.

As well a lack of inventive ideas Jumper falls far short on dialogue. It’s as if what little imagination went into making it was entirely spent on devising special effect sequences with the screenwriters leaving the actors to improvise their lines on the spot. Each scrappy scene seems like little more than a dash joining up a series of action showcases and, while those are impressive to begin with, they soon grow repetitive.

At 88 minutes, Jumper is a slight film but you wouldn’t wish it longer. Unsurprisingly, little is resolved by the end, leaving things wide open for a sequel. Let’s hope that realises some of Jumper’s squandered potential. Joe Green

VERDICT: 4/10
A frenetic exercise in emptiness.