2008 Woodie Awards
Sporatic plotline hurts 'Jumper,' despite cast
2 stars
Charlie Peppers
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: FUSE
Originally published: 2/21/08 at 9:01 PM EST
Last update: 2/21/08 at 8:59 PM EST
Hayden Christensen never sticks around after a booty call.
Well, actually, the character he plays in this movie doesn't: David Rice, gifted with teleportation, "jumps" through the cracks of time and space to avoid responsibility.
One of the first scenes in the film features him zipping from uppercrust Manhattan to a lush bar in downtown London.
He quickly catches the eye of an attractive English girl, slips her a drink and woos her into bed. Before the aforementioned girl awakens the next morning, he's already disappeared from her bedroom and reappeared in smoldering hot Brazil. The extent of David's self-indulgent lifestyle doesn't end with one night stands, however.
He transports himself from the living room couch to the kitchen - he's not above abusing his superpowers to fetch a cold beer from the refrigerator.
He transports himself inside numerous bank vaults, makes "harmless withdrawals" and accumulates a staggering amount of cash.
He transports himself to Egypt and enjoys long tans on the tops of pyramids.
It's not long before David is reconnected with an old flame from his past that makes him consider settling down. It comes as no surprise that his crass behavior catches up with him before he finds redemption in the arms of his high school sweetheart.
David becomes the target of ruthless bounty hunters who feel that only God should wield his unearthly gifts of teleportation.
Unfortunately, the film's amoral protagonist has the same problem as its director: this movie jumps around way too often for other plot points to unfurl.
The director seems more interested in showcasing gorgeous locations than telling a cohesive story.
With all of the gratuitous - and dizzying - special effects, you'll leave the theater disappointed and disorientated.
This is truly a shame because the movie features an all-star cast that is almost completely wasted.
Rachel Bilson, the actress who fills the boots of David's main squeeze, gives the movie its eye-candy quota. Her strong-points don't range beyond batting her eyelashes, unfortunately.
Well, actually, the character he plays in this movie doesn't: David Rice, gifted with teleportation, "jumps" through the cracks of time and space to avoid responsibility.
One of the first scenes in the film features him zipping from uppercrust Manhattan to a lush bar in downtown London.
He quickly catches the eye of an attractive English girl, slips her a drink and woos her into bed. Before the aforementioned girl awakens the next morning, he's already disappeared from her bedroom and reappeared in smoldering hot Brazil. The extent of David's self-indulgent lifestyle doesn't end with one night stands, however.
He transports himself from the living room couch to the kitchen - he's not above abusing his superpowers to fetch a cold beer from the refrigerator.
He transports himself inside numerous bank vaults, makes "harmless withdrawals" and accumulates a staggering amount of cash.
He transports himself to Egypt and enjoys long tans on the tops of pyramids.
It's not long before David is reconnected with an old flame from his past that makes him consider settling down. It comes as no surprise that his crass behavior catches up with him before he finds redemption in the arms of his high school sweetheart.
David becomes the target of ruthless bounty hunters who feel that only God should wield his unearthly gifts of teleportation.
Unfortunately, the film's amoral protagonist has the same problem as its director: this movie jumps around way too often for other plot points to unfurl.
The director seems more interested in showcasing gorgeous locations than telling a cohesive story.
With all of the gratuitous - and dizzying - special effects, you'll leave the theater disappointed and disorientated.
This is truly a shame because the movie features an all-star cast that is almost completely wasted.
Rachel Bilson, the actress who fills the boots of David's main squeeze, gives the movie its eye-candy quota. Her strong-points don't range beyond batting her eyelashes, unfortunately.
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