As the ice breaks from under David's feet his mind begins to race as the cold water rushes over him and the current sends him flying. However within a matter of moments David finds himself under a heap of wet books at the public library, soaked to the bone and shivering from head to toe. Confused at the series of events David slowly begins to realize his new found power and quickly decides to take advantage of his ability and teleport away from all his troubles. Fast forward eight years and we see a new grown-up, mature David who has not only become comfortable with his ability but has grown to accept it as part of himself. He never has to work as he can easily transport in and out of the bank's vault and he enjoys the rigors of traveling the world "“ never having to step foot on an airplane. However, when he returns home to see Millie, their sudden trip to Europe has placed both their lives in danger as David becomes acquainted with Roland, a member of an elite group who sees the "˜jumpers' as a threat to all of mankind. Banding together with his new found jumper friend Griffin, David must work to stay alive, protect Millie and defeat Roland, all while trying to find his mother as she is the lone person who can piece together the mystery of David's childhood and his power.
Full of potential and life Jumper struggles from an uneventful script, mediocre special effects and a lack of chemistry between the leads on its way to being another okay but not great sci-fi film.
My first major problem with this film was its casting. While Hayden Christensen is best known for his miserable performance as the infamous Anakin Skywalker, his other roles have been anything but well accepted. Additionally we have Rachel Bilson, an actress struggling to make the move from TV to film, and Samuel L. Jackson, a quickly deteriorating actor who will take any role in any film, leaving us with the underused Diane Lane to pull the film out of its destined hole of misery. And although she does an amazing job in her short lived part, it doesn't come close to overshadowing the others.
Additionally I want to complain about the story. I understand that the film is based on a previously derived story, but for many reasons I don't accept that as an excuse. The story is boring, anti climatic and a pure waste of time as not even the famous Doug Liman can't rescue this dying film from its destined spot at the Razzie ceremony. And what is even worse is the ending as it is inconclusive and just begging for a sequel.
With that said I have to admit that the special effects that go along with this film were not that bad. From the top of an Egyptian pyramid to the waves of an exotic ocean, every scene is brought to the screen with stellar colors and motions, doing all it can to save the film.
In the end this film was anything but extraordinary; in fact it wasn't even great. However to some it will come across as entertaining, even with the miserable Christenson at the reigns.
