Jumper (2008)-Kanaka Sathasivan
Jumper (2008)
By Kanaka Sathasivan
I’ll have to admit, I wanted to see this movie. Then the bad reviews poured in, and I still wanted to see this movie. And I’ll happily say it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. But I only paid a dollar to see it, so I think I got my money’s worth.
Jumper is the story of David Rice an unhappy boy bullied at school and at home, with only one friend in the world, a girl named Millie. After an unfortunate accident, David discovers he has the power to transport. Immediately, he uses the newfound gift to escape his old life, steal large amounts of cash, and create a new persona for himself.
Fast-forward a decade, and Rice is now living the life anyone would kill for, breakfast in Britain, lunch in Egypt; even the most menial task is accomplished quicker by his powers. And of course, did I mention the stacks of cash, from every country on earth? But no one can ever live the perfect life of crime under the radar. As long as there have been Jumpers, there have been Paladins, religious hunters who feel only God should have the power to be everywhere at once. The rest of the movie that follows is a spectacular chase between the Paladins, Rice, as he tries to protect Millie, and Griffin, another Jumper.
The best part of the movie is undoubtedly the graphics and stunts. The powers possessed by these two boys are fantastic and watching them do these incredible things excites that spark in everyone who ever wished they could close their eyes and teleport. The most endearing and realistic part about their “jumping” is that it was never perfect, often leaving tell-tale destruction and a discernible “scar” in the air. Not only was this a visual tactic, but a valuable plot device as well.
However, the incredible action was sadly accompanied by a lackluster plot and ill-defined characters. Rice’s backstory is buried somewhere in all the action, and the discovery he makes about his long-lost mother is interesting, but not explored enough to sate the audience. Millie is never allowed to grow as a character on her own, instead serving only to further the plot with her feminine wiles and naïve demands—she is simply just another damsel-in-distress; a young girl relegated to playing the victim while the adults duke it out.
While Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson are capable young actors, neither of them have Samuel L. Jackson’s presence; it often feels like his movie over Christensen’s. Even Griffin, played by a grown up Jamie Bell, overshadows Christensen. But all in all, the cast has excellent chemistry together.
Other high points include the score, done by John Powell, and the cinematography, by Barry Peterson. But neither of these things is enough to make up for the low points. Jumper is definitely not a must-see, and it will probably disappoint anyone with high expectations. But as far as action films go, it’s not horrible.
Copyright C. 2008 Kanaka Sathasivan