Won't make you jump out of your seat

With all the hype, all the promotion and all of the potential of a heroic superhero film, “Jumper” proved to just barely take flight. Ironically though, the 20th Century Fox release brought over 79 million dollars into the box office, and under the direction of Doug Liman, the main stars of the film Samuel L. Jackson and Hayden Christensen as well as Hollywood’s up-and-comer Rachel Bilson proved to draw in audiences through a rather rushed and fast-paced action film.

This era in Hollywood is full of superhero blockbusters such as “Spider-Man,” “X-Men” and even “Hellboy” that entail average humans that are given a special gift to better the world. “Jumper,” however, chooses to exploit just the opposite.

The story’s protagonist, David Rice (Christensen), discovers his unique power of teleportation at a very young age, and uses it to his own personal gain to better the poor hand he was dealt as a child. Using his powers, he robs banks, steals valuables and travels to all places of the Earth under no conscious penalty.

It is not until he meets Roland, played by Samuel L. Jackson, that Rice really discovers that life should not be taken for granted. In a lucky encounter with a once in a lifetime sidekick, Griffin, the two merge together to save the last part of life Rice desires, Millie (Bilson, “The O.C.”). And of course all of this is done with up to date and total BA special effects that make anyone think, “If only that could happen in my life.” The extras of the film prove to be very futile and pointless. The only gem is an amazing take toward the crew’s ability to fully convince the audience the character’s ability to “jump.”

Even through its semi-success from the box office, the unintended effect of “Jumper” was to jump and confuse the audience. The film and the extras can serve up a good dose of entertainment, but it’s best if it’s only a one-night special and not a movie to add to the collection on the shelf.