Rating of
1.5/4
Jumper didn't jump out at me!
CarrieMiller - wrote on 08/06/08
It seems that nowadays Hollywood is content with putting out rushed action movies with some high profile actors to capture the summer blockbuster market and Jumper fits right into this category. The story of David, (a bland performance from Hayden Christensen) who discovers that he can "jump" between different places.
During an accident when David was 15, he makes his first jump and decides to run away from home as everyone presumes that he dead. He then robs a bank and begins a lifestyle of pleasure and indulgence.
Problems begin for David when he found by Roland (Samuel L. Jackson, sporting an interest hair color) and his troop of Jumper hunters. As the cat and mouse game begins, David discovers Griffin (a scene steeling Jamie Bell), a fellow jumper who is the only who can help him defeat Roland and save the love interest Millie (a totally miscast Rachel Bilson).
This movie contains amazing use of CGI with a great car chase that will get the adrenaline pumping! My problem with the film comes with the poor script, the terrible acting by some of the cast and the lack of development in the story.
Both Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson are as dull as watching paint dry with no chemistry at all. He seems to lack the ability to smile at all and she can only master two expressions, surprised and upset. It really is supporting actors Jamie Bell and Samuel L. Jackson who bring any real acting skills to the film.
It appears that scriptwriter was so keen to get to the end of movie and the chance to include super computer graphics that the story was just thrown together. When David returns to his home town from an eight year absence, nobody really seems that concerned that he back, despite the fact that most were convinced he was dead. The inclusion of David's mother is mystifying to say the least as we learn nothing about her from the two short scenes she is in.
Overall, this film is a rushed action movie that like most these days, seems to focus on how much CGI can placed in a movie instead of including it in part of the film. The acting of the two lead actors leaves much to be desired but I am sure they will get another chance to prove themselves in the sequel that the film nicely sets up at the end.
