Jumper'
Runtime: 88min 16secsTagline: Anywhere is Possible.
Written by: David S. Goyer and Jim Uhls and Simon Kinberg
Directed by: Doug Liman
Plot Outline:
Based on a novel by Steven Gould it is the story of David Rice (Hayden Christensen) who lives alone with his father, but the truth is, it isn't much of a home. When things get so bad that David decides to run away, his big question is, Where? And how will he live? The answer to his surprise is anywhere is possible. David discovers he has the power to jump (read teleport) from one place to another. Not just a few feet, but hundreds, even thousands of miles!
As he explores his new power he learns that the world is literally his for the taking, but with time he learns that there are consequences too. He learns that he isn't the only one, and also finds himself thrust within a war that has existed through history against an organisation called the Paladins led by Roland (Samuel L. Jackson) whose one cause is to hunt and kill all Jumpers.
Overall Impressions:
Before I start I want to say, I think the title is terrible. Firstly because it's not like there is only one .. Jumpers? Cardigans? Seems too void of creativity. Perhaps I would have lived with Teleporter(s) but even so, it just seems a bit lazy.
Anyway, the philum: The beginning makes a point of taking our protagonist down the path that most the super-heroes don't: total indulgence. This certainly holds as a strength. It keeps you interested for that 1st act of the story. However with the second act he has to come to terms with the fact that "with great power comes great responsibility" or as yelled / explained here by the villain of the film: "There are always consequences". Samuel L did strangely seems on auto-pilot this time round.
All this responsibility & consequences lark is getting a bit much. Our indulgent protagonist doesn't want to believe, especially as he's finally plucked the courage to woo his childhood crush (Rachel Bilson). The timing couldn't have been any worse making our friend a bit confused and glum.
So, introducing Jamie Bell -- also a teleporter, he's more in the know about his power & others like him, which lets us (the viewer and the protagonist) be filled in at regular points with all the history we need to know. In addition he also adds a level of humour that felt much needed. Poor ole protagonist is having a downer taking all this in so the moment needs lightening. The banter between them adds a little for the geeks too, fitting nicely with the super-hero-esk genre.
I may sound as though I'm taking the mick, but it was actually a pretty fun ride. I've noted as the review got delayed that this film seems to be getting a lot of flack but I did rather enjoy it. I think the issue is that it's been sold as a blockbuster while it's not. A superhero-ish film for the non-superhero crowd is probably my short short summary of it.
I do wonder if they were watching that Heroes show and thought, Hiro Nakamura is clearly the best character here, the interesting one, they should have just made it about him and perhaps others like him & so, here we have it. Hayden Christensen as Hiro Nakamura. The effects are superior, the development of the power is restrained. In essence it is the pilot episode of The Hiro Nakamura Chronicles.
What this does mean is yes, this seems as though it's been planned as a long-term venture, until the show gets axed ;) I've had people tell me that it seemed to them as though it was like the whole film was a 90 minute trailer leading up to the next film. I can't really disagree.
If you expect exactly what I've explained above, you'll be more than happy with this film. However, it's a shame that S01E02 isn't showing next week. You'll have to wait a year or so.
A shame that they aren't showing S01E02 next week!? It's a shame they are creating more of this crap and that I was forced to watch this by my gf!!!
I pretty much agree with you 100%, I loved this, even though I knew it was absolute garbage, it was entertaining garbage and I'd definitely watch a second one - I would like there to be an actual 'story' in the next one that's a little more complex than 'Hayden Christensen can teleport, and Sam Jackson fuckin' HATES people who can teleport - GO!', some kind of exploration of exactly why the Paladins have such a huge problem with Jumpers would be nice. And lots more crazy action please.
To its credit, it's a lot less muddled than the book - if they'd filmed that there's no way anyone would stomach it; Griffin and the Paladins just aren't in it at all, and he winds up using his powers to fight terrorist hijackers after a ridiculous out-of-nowhere twist in the story sees his mother (who he's just gotten back into contact with after she ran out on him as a child) blown up by a suitcase bomb whilst in the middle of a hijacking/hostage situation at an airport. Crazy shit.
Right, I'm ordering the book (& I still need a silver briefcase).
I was actually thinking about what they 'could' do with sequels. In particular I like the idea of making it Diane Lane's story. How she has studied the consequences of these Jumpers and that the organisation is actually for 'Good'. Something along the lines of Butterfly effect to huge proportions due to Jumpers means Judgment Day and End of the World which is inevitable becomes sooner with each and every Jump.
Since they've already had Sam Jackson introduced they could explain him as the necessary evil (mercenary), or man seeking vengeance, or just a bit of a religious fanatic, or whatever.
If it was a TV show, I can see them doing it, but I'm not sure they would risk it with a movie philum.
I thought it was a good introduction to the trilogy. Bring it on!!!
i felt that the story was unfinished and there was no story or plot to the movie...its like a cat and mouse chase!..and only positive side was the special effects..