Film Review: Jumper

Liverpool Daily Post

JUMPER (Cert. 12A, 88 mins)
Stars: Hayden Christensen, Samuel L Jackson, Jamie Bell, Rachel Bilson, Diane Lane, Michael Rooker
Directed by Doug Liman

ADAPTED from the novel by Steven Gould, Jumper is a special effects heavy, science fiction adventure about a young man blessed with the ability to teleport anywhere on the globe.

Hopping through space and time sounds like a dream: no more rush-hour commute, jump to the front of any queue, hit the beach without the exhausting flights and beat the January sales hordes to the best bargains.

Unfortunately, this gift comes at a price: you’ll be hunted for the rest of your life by Samuel L Jackson with a shocking white hair-do, and be immortalised in Doug Liman’s poorly conceived and executed film.

Using his powers to "borrow" money from banks, David (Hayden Christensen) glides through life without a care in the world. During a trip to Rome with childhood sweetheart, Millie (Rachel Bilson), David comes under attack from the Paladins – a secret organisation sworn to kill him – and barely survives thanks to the intervention of fellow Jumper, Griffin (Jamie Bell).

They join forces to outwit the Paladins.

Jumper is fatally flawed. Every time the Paladins get close, David can simply teleport to another location, and the big twist, which tees up a cliffhanger finale and a potential sequel, is telegraphed verbally well in advance.