'Jumper' is as annoying as any film in recent memory. And it violates the chief rule of a science fiction thriller by being amazingly boring, as well.
Jumper (2008)
Tomatometer
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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
A lethargic, incomprehensible event picture that is the action film equivalent of Phil Collins' Take Me Home video.
[F]eels like half a movie... pallid and empty and barely even raises questions that should be asked, never mind actually answering even a couple of them...
It plays exactly like a trailer that has been stretched out to 88 minutes%u2013all money shots with no story or engaging characters to tie them together
Imagine how the world might be changed if people could instantaneously transport themselves anywhere... If you can, you have more imagination than the people behind [this].
Maybe the goal of Jumper involved making you dislike its protagonist ... If so, then congratulations would be in order.
[Christensen's] utter vacancy is a bane on Jumper, an otherwise serviceable sci-fi thriller that would have benefited from a compelling center.
Spectacular...a head-spinning, duck-in-your-seat bullet of popcorn entertainment that could shake the winter blues out of multiplexes everywhere.
Makes us focus too much on its storytelling shortcomings when we should be impressed by the light and sound show.
Can we just cut to the chase here? Hayden Christensen has all but killed his career with his performance in Jumper.
Add Jumper to the list of movies with nifty premises that are squandered by a sloppy, rushed execution.
With no one to root for, no adequate story development, and action scenes that are the epitome of underwhelming, Jumper is a lost cause.
Christensen speaks with a horribly affected voice which is a cross between Jeff Spicoli and Al Pacino. Is this supposed to sound cool and tough, yet, free spirited?
An impressive feat as a vehicle for Doug Liman to pull out the stops with some of the most jaw-dropping stunts shot in some of the most amazing locations on earth.
Technical tricks can't hide a tired time-travel story dressed down with an almost humorless script.
There's no real behavior, just endless movement brought off with empty crackerjack skill.
Fortunately, the movie possesses the sense of fun Christensen seems to have had surgically removed.
As a travelogue, Jumper isn't half bad, with lots of juicy images of Rome, Tokyo, New York and other splendid places. But we're supposed to be watching a sci-fi action film, and that's where things go south.
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