Hollywood releases so few science-fiction movies in comparison to other genre films that it is particular disappointing when it releases something less than stellar. For all that “Jumper” is superficially entertaining, it is also so hopelessly mediocre as to be a catalogue of missed opportunities. The salt in the wound is the realization that not only is the film an excuse to set up a sequel, but that, narratively, the film merely spins its wheels and leaves its character no further along at the end than they were at the beginning. “Jumper” is an extended chase scene without a goal post; the characters are but hamsters in a wheel.
Although rather typical of the intellectual indifference of mainstream science fiction film, “Jumper” is nonetheless especially notable for its disinterest in the science of the film’s fascinating premise. Why are some individuals born with the ability to teleport? How does the teleportation work? Why teleportation and not other abilities? Beyond vague allusions to the “jumpers” creating rifts in spacetime, the scriptwriters are more interested in foisting on us a tepid, underdeveloped romance awkwardly spliced into the chase between the jumpers and the evil Paladins hunting them down. With talks of a franchise, “Jumper” might have worked better had it been content with sowing the seeds of romance for a future film and focusing instead on fleshing out the characters and the nature of conflict.
Several Handicaps
But just as the Paladins chasing down David Rice (Christensen) are presented as nothing more than homicidal religious zealots convinced that jumpers exist in violation of the divine order of things, the quality of the performances fails to add visceral depth to a shallow screenplay. Christensen, as always, cannot act, which does nothing to add chemistry to his romance with Millie, played to no great significance by Rachel Bilson. And Samuel L. Jackson, as the lead villain, sets the autopilot on the tough-guy act he’s done in so many other movies. Bo-ring. It falls to Jaimie Bell to deliver a simmering performance. Then again, Bell has more to work with – his Griffin is the film’s most dramatic character, a lethally unhinged jumper who has seen too many friends and family die at the hands of the Paladins.
Where the film succeeds is in presenting the dynamic, scene-rumbling effect of jumpers when they use their abilities, whether casually or in combat situations, although, as Ebert rightly points out, there are some rather odd plot holes at work. Still, when bringing to mind the exciting scenes with Nightcrawler in “X-Men 2,” “Jumper” delivers the goods in terms of action and special effects, with Rice performing some increasingly impressive feats as the film progresses. It will take much more than that, however, for any future sequel to justify its existence. When anywhere is possible, it helps to actually have a destination in mind.
Entertainment Value: * (out of two)
Technical Quality: * (out of two)
Twentieth Century Fox presents a film directed by Doug Liman. Screenplay by David S. Goyer, Jim Uhls and Simon Kinberg, based on the novel by Steven Gould. Starring Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Jaimie Bell and Rachel Bilson.
88 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for sequences of intense action violence, some language and brief sexuality).