by Perry Cox

Created on: November 27, 2008

David Rice falls through some ice and starts to drown. Moments later he finds himself in the local library wet, but apparently unscathed. After some experimentation David discovers he is a "Jumper", one of just a few with a genetic anomaly that allows him to teleport anywhere he can imagine. Unfortunately, a group of hunters led by seasoned zealot Roland believe "Jumpers" are a crime against God. Can David evade these hunters and protect his childhood sweetheart?

"Jumper" is a brilliant concept. Who wouldn't want the power to teleport anywhere at anytime? The Director obviously realises this and I took a boyhood glee in seeing David jump anywhere from the clockface of Big Ben to on top of a Sphinx to sun bathe. I liked the fact David starts off, not as a hero, but as a selfish adolescent who uses his powers to rob banks and get girls. Unfortunately, after this intial intriguing segment it all gets a bit generic sci-fi for my liking.

Now don't get me wrong, I like my action films as much as the next guy. However, "Jumper" is such a great concept that it's descent into to run of the mill action movie is disappointing. This is not helped by a cast of wooden characters and a script that uses every cliched plot device in the book. So, what we have is an inevitable man with a troubled childhood and obligatory childhood sweetheart cum damsel in distress. Hayden Christensen of "Darth Vader" fame has an intial boyish enthusiasm for the tole but soon reverts to type and acts with a Keanu Reeves like lack of emotion. To be fair he is not help by a hopelessly feeble love interest whose helplessness makes you long for a terrible fate. Perhaps worse than all of this is the woeful overacting by Samuel L. Jackson as David's nemesis Roland. I love Jackson, he can usually save a movie by his very presence yet he is obviously acting for the big pay cheque here.

Despite my damning verdict on the cast as an action film it is actually a decent throwaway popcorn movie. Some great action serquences by the enigmatic "Jumper" Griffin who provides the only reasonable acting in the film. He also provides the film's best moment as he manages to teleport a London Bus to the desert to hurl at Roland. When the action is in full flow it is entertaining and exciting. This is helped by the dramatic nature of the jumps and the variety of locations on offer. The action sequences really drive the movie and make it worth watching.

As you can see "Jumper" is a film that leaves me with mixed emotions. It is a well-implemented action movie but it is also a waste of a brilliant concept hampered by some horrendous performances. It is not a bad way to spend an evening but I cannot help but feel that a better cast could have made this a classic.

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