Jumper (2008)

Director:

Doug Liman

Writers (WGA):

David S. Goyer (screenplay) and
Jim Uhls (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

14 February 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

anywhere is possible.

Plot:

A genetic anomaly allows a young man to teleport himself anywhere. He discovers this gift has existed for centuries and finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years between "Jumpers" and those who have sworn to kill them.

Plot Keywords:

New York | Ann Arbor | Bank Vault | Vault | Ice

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Nov. 17	3:00 PM	HBO
Tue. Nov. 17	9:30 PM	HBO

Cast

Hayden Christensen	...	David Rice
Jamie Bell	...	Griffin
Rachel Bilson	...	Millie
Diane Lane	...	Mary Rice
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Roland
Michael Rooker	...	William Rice
AnnaSophia Robb	...	Young Millie
Max Thieriot	...	Young David
Jesse James	...	Young Mark
Tom Hulce	...	Mr. Bowker
Kristen Stewart	...	Sophie
Teddy Dunn	...	Mark Kobold
Barbara Garrick	...	Ellen
Michael Winther	...	Day Bank Manager
Massimiliano Pazzaglia	...	Italian Desk Cop

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence, some language and brief sexuality.

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

South Korea:15 | Ireland:12A | Singapore:PG | UK:12A | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Norway:11 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #44084) | Hong Kong:IIB | Australia:M | Canada:G (Quebec) | Malaysia:U | Sweden:11 | Netherlands:12 | Finland:K-13 | Italy:T | New Zealand:M | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Taiwan:PG-12 | Germany:12 | Argentina:13 | Brazil:12 | Japan:U

Filming Locations:

Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Evan Rachel Wood turned down the role of "Millie". The part eventually went to Rachel Bilson.

Goofs:

Continuity: David rents room 256. In the next scene, when manager knocks on his door and complains about the noise, the room number is 203.

Quotes:

[first lines]
David Rice: Let me tell you about my day so far. Coffee in Paris, surfed the Maldives, took a little nap on Kilimanjaro. Oh, yeah, I got digits from this Polish chick in Rio. And then I jumped back for the final quarter of the N.B.A. finals--courtside of course. And all that was before lunch. I could go on, but all I'm saying is, I'm standing on top of the world.

Movie Connections:

References King Kong (1933)

Soundtrack:

Tick Tick Boom

A tightly made film that could have been so much better.

Stunning effects, swooping camera angles, and an interesting concept more than make up for the film's defects - namely Hayden Christensen - reprising the gloomy, wounded, misunderstood, petulant anti-hero role he played so ineffectively in the Star Wars prequels.

The other performances were sound (Samuel L Jackson's hair included) with Jamie Bell particularly outstanding as the nervy Griffin. His performance adds to the frantic energy of the film and every scene without him is the poorer for it.

While the pacing and energy of the film keeps you glued to your seat, it is only on reflection that I realised how unsatisfying the story ultimately was - leaving me with an "is that all?" kind of feeling. The answer, of course, will probably be 'No' as this film seems to have been made with the idea of sequels firmly in sight.

All in all - a tightly made film, with the scenes inside the Colosseum worth the price of admission alone - if only they'd cast someone else in the lead role!