Jumper (2008)

Director: Doug Liman

Cast: Hayden Christensen as David Rice, Jamie Bell as Griffin, Rachel Bilson as Millie, Diane Lane as Mary Rice, Samuel L. Jackson as Roland, Michael Rooker as William Rice, AnnaSophia Robb as Young Millie (as Annasophia Robb), Max Thieriot as Young David, Jesse James as Young Mark, Tom Hulce as Mr. Bowker, Kristen Stewart as Sophie, Teddy Dunn as Mark Kobold, Barbara Garrick as Ellen, Michael Winther as Day Bank Manager, Massimiliano Pazzaglia as Italian Desk Cop

What would happen if you could teleport ANYWHERE in the world in the
blink of an eye? Thats the question explored in Jumper, a film thats as
fast and action packed as it is hollow and underdeveloped.

The films theme of individuals who can vanish and reappear anywhere
they choose is a great idea but its execution is a little weak in
Jumper. Why? The blame rest squarely on the films instance on being the
start of a series. Instead of taking time to develop anything in the
movie, Jumper just whizzes by at an incredible speed, setting up
characters, ideas and plot points without expanding or resolving or
developing them. The whole thing is made to kick start a franchise of
films where the story would be explained in more detail, but come on
man, when you pay to see a film, you expect to see a clearly defined
beginning, a middle and a satisfying end- something that Jumper isn't
too concerned with.

Another problem that ties in with the films lack of depth, are the
actors. While Hayden Christensen is as bland as usual, the cast
(including the usually electrifying Sam Jackson) just sleep walk their
way through the superficial script. Only Jamie Bell gives it some
effort- his cynical Irish jumper would have made a much better lead
character than Anakin.

However, while the film is pretty shallow there are some glimmers of
goodness. The action sequences are fun, fast and frequent, the visual
effects are cool and there's never a dull moment due to the films super
fast pace.

It might sound like Im being too harsh on the film but its hard not to
be when the movies concept is so great and the end product is as
underdeveloped as this. If the film had a more detailed, more fleshed
out, more self contained story, Jumper would have been a classic.