Jumper: C
Apparently, not even Hayden Christensen can completely kill every movie he touches. His new movie, "Jumper," offers just enough action and adventure to cancel out what is generally a bad plotline and a worse script, complemented by incredibly unbelievable acting.
"Jumper" is the story of David Rice (Christensen), a young man who discovers he has the ability to teleport from wherever he is to anywhere he has already been. Gaining the ability as a teenager, he promptly runs away from home and begins using his talent to live a fantastical life.
It is in this fantasy that the film finds its greatest asset - exploring the ultimate hedonistic dream of instant gratification. Moviegoers wish for such a power, and for the 90 minutes of screen time in which "Jumper" exists, they can feel as though they possess it.
Eyes water as Rice becomes the ultimate jet-set playboy, experiencing the dream life that his powers have provided him. But unfortunately, all dreams end when we wake up. Rice's own wake-up comes with the arrival of Roland, played by Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson's portrayal is the only satisfying performance of the entire film, and indeed, Jackson needs to portray more villains. His angry visage and truly terrifying image strikes fear into all he pursues. Roland is a Paladin, a person dedicated to killing Jumpers like Rice.
A frantic worldwide chase ensues which the full measure of what it means to move outside the laws of physics is explored. As he flees, Rice stumbles across another Jumper named Griffin (Jamie Bell). Paladins hot on their tail, the two must try to work together in order to escape death.
A high-budget film that's been crafted around a single special effect is going to have some great action sequences, and in that regard, "Jumper" delivers in spades. Audiences are whisked all over the globe to witness fights, chases and fun made possible through a world without limitations. The full extent of the teleporting ability's powers is explored, and more than one person will leave the theater thinking, "If only ..."
Unfortunately, the action and special effects are offset by a nonsensical plot and some horribly written dialogue. The events of the film are as unintelligible and untraceable as the movements of the Jumpers - there is simply no rhyme or reason to them.
Had "Jumper" director Doug Liman seen either George Lucas' "Star Wars: Episode II" or "Episode III," he would have surely noticed Christensen's awful performances and made some sort of mental note along the lines of, "Remember: Never cast that guy in one of my films." Perhaps Liman isn't a very good mental note taker. Or perhaps he never saw a "Star Wars" sequel.
Either way, casting Christensen in such a poorly written role is bad news for everyone involved. With no proactive talent whatsoever, he merely provides a pretty face to match the film's eye-catching special effects.
Admittedly, "Jumper" is a great escape into a fantastic, if dumbed down, world of impossible adventure. Unfortunately, most of the adventure seekers are bad actors communicating with worse dialogue. For those seeking a globe-trekking thrill ride with great special effects but little substance, "Jumper" is playing in theaters everywhere.
