Logic takes the greatest leap in Jumper, a sci-fi thriller that plays like a frog jacked on steroids.
Jumper (2008)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:158
Fresh:25
Rotten:133
Average Rating:4/10
Consensus: Featuring uninvolving characters and loose narrative, Jumper is an erratic action pic with little coherence and lackluster special effects.
Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for sequences of intense action violence, some language and brief sexuality.
Runtime: 90 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Theatrical Release:14-02-2008
Synopsis: Based on Steven Gould's critically acclaimed novel, JUMPER leaps onto the screen courtesy of director Doug Liman. David (Hayden Christiansen) has inexplicably been given the power to teleport... Based on Steven Gould's critically acclaimed novel, JUMPER leaps onto the screen courtesy of director Doug Liman. David (Hayden Christiansen) has inexplicably been given the power to teleport himself, or jump. He can jump into a bank vault, then to the top of the Sphinx, then back to his luxury Manhattan apartment. But despite all his power, he still misses his childhood love, Millie (Rachel Bilson, THE O.C.). When the opportunity arises, David jets off to Rome with Millie, but it's not all romance in the Italian city. David's unique abilities place him in the middle of a war between the jumpers and the paladins, a secretive group intent on hunting down the teleporters. Led by Roland (Samuel L. Jackson), the paladins track David and fellow jumper Griffin (Jamie Bell) across the world, and Millie may be caught in the crossfire. JUMPER moves as fast as its teleporting hero, condensing the novel into a slim, action-packed offering. The slick special effects and impressive locations are certainly on par with Liman's previous work in THE BOURNE IDENTITY and MR. AND MRS. SMITH, but JUMPER bears a closer resemblance to comic book adaptations. Like Spider-man and most other costume-clad protagonists with unearthly abilities, David grapples with his newfound talents. But unlike his tights-and-cape-wearing brethren, David doesn't use his ability for the greater good. Instead, it gets him piles of money and, perhaps, the girl he's been dreaming of since he was five years old. Though most action films are driven by the struggle between good and evil, JUMPER interestingly offers up a central character who lies somewhere in the middle. Slightly less ambiguous is the film's ending that leaves the option for a sequel completely open. [More]
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell, Rachel Bilson, Samuel L. Jackson
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell, Rachel Bilson, Samuel L. Jackson, Diane Lane, Michael Rooker, AnnaSophia Robb, Max Thierot
Director: Doug Liman
Director: Doug Liman
Screenwriter: David S. Goyer, Jim Uhls, Simon Kinberg
Producer: Arnon Milchan, Lucas Foster, Jay Sanders, Simon Kinberg
Composer: John Powell
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Reviews for Jumper
It's positioned as the first installment of a trilogy and, if Christensen follows through on the character's promise of greater charisma and depth, I'll willingly line up for the next two.
Jumper has all the pieces of an exciting, engaging supernatural slugfest: exotic locations, cool high-tech toys and sweet special effects.
Jumper seems half-done -- a long prologue building to a classic hero's journey or the launch of an antihero -- but comes to a screeching halt before it can begin either.
It’s too busy flitting all around the screen to establish the moral and personal connections that would make the story engaging, let alone the narrative sense that would make it worth following.
The movie isn't horrible, but it is pedestrian, and bound to disappoint fans of Stephen Gould's novel and of science fiction in general.
It's a paradox, but science fiction has to make sense: It can rest on the world's most outlandish premise, but only if its internal logic holds up to scrutiny. And Jumper can't make that leap.
Woefully short on script, the picture ends up disappearing down the wormhole of its own premise.
A herky-jerky mess of a movie, Jumper leaps about so erratically you get the feeling bent pogo sticks were employed in the editing room.
Jumper skips emotional traction (or humor) in what feels like a rush to the inevitable sequel or two.
You have to take everything for granted in Jumper, including the idea that Christensen and Rachel Bilson could show human emotions. These stone faces stand at the center of a story that's as flimsy as taffeta.
This movie should be playing on the CW between episodes of Reaper and One Tree Hill.
There's enough kinetic energy in Jumper to light a thousand houses. Unfortunately, there's no one home in any of them.
Size matters: Jumper may be the gifted helmer Liman's biggest, most technically-driven picture but it's also his weakest, lacking plot, characters and other "old fashion" film attributes.
The film . . . ends up promising more than it can deliver. For all its epic locations, Jumper remains pretty small-scale.
A superpower human without the need to do good for humanity. A 90 minute trailer for Christensen's starring franchise.
Any movie that requires a video game to fill gaps in the story raises a red flag.
Would you pay full entree price for an appetizer? Well, Jumper is more like the bread you get before the waiter brings the appetizer to your table.
Latest News for Jumper
January 08, 2009:
RT Interview: Jamie Bell talks Defiance and Dance
Jamie Bell tap-danced his way into the national consciousness with his breakthrough performance in Billy Elliot nine years ago. Since then he has worked with heavyweight screen... More...
December 05, 2008:
UK Critics Consensus: Writers Warm to Madagascar 2; UK Critics Liked Lakeview Terrace
With thirteen new releases in the UK cinemas this weekend, let Rotten Tomatoes help you sort the tinsel from the turkeys. We have animals on the loose in Madagascar: Escape 2... More...
June 14, 2008:
Sam relishes doing super-mean and ready to rumble, while Hayden jaunts around the planet sightseeing, bank robbing and hitting on women. ![]()
More...
June 09, 2008:
RT on DVD: Bosomy Boleyn Girls, Jumper, John Adams
As the latest wave of Obamamania sweeps the country, look forward to HBO's Recount...or peek into the past with HBO's John Adams. Also clear your calendar for high-def Top... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

