Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence, some language and brief sexuality.
Directed by Doug Liman (Mr. and Mrs. Smith & The Bourne Identity)
Starring Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Rachel Bilson, and Jamie Bell
20 minutes in I was wishing I could teleport out of the theater.
Jumper is the story of David Rice (Hayden Christensen) who discovers he has a genetic anomaly that allows him to teleport himself anywhere in the world. He learns that “Jumpers” have existed for centuries and that he is now in the middle of a war that has been raging for thousands of years.
The trailer was so good it got me to attend the midnight showing on opening day. Samuel L Jackson, sporting very cool white hair, and Jamie Bell both deliver entertaining performances and although the idea of Jumper is interesting and special effects throughout are amazing, it was unable to overcome some very big shortcomings, the biggest of which was Hayden Christensen. He was the same, whiny, almost manic-depressant character that we saw in the Star Wars prequels.
As I said, I love the idea of Jumper, but I wish they had explained the “gift” a little more or even had shown some of the “historical jumpers.” I also would have liked to have seen more jumpers, this film only had three, but I guess that will all come in the squeals…yeah there will be squeals…even if they are a direct to DVD release.
That being said, my biggest peeve with the film was the anti-hero hero. Unlike the classic superheroes, with this great power comes absolutely no responsibility. David robs money from banks, all kinds of toys from stores and even a car with no remorse or consequences. In fact, in one scene Roland (Samuel L. Jackson) who interestingly enough is the villain says, “You think you can go on like this forever… living like this with no consequences? There are always consequences.”
There are plenty of other scenes that have our “hero” in compromising positions. In order to impress a girl he flies her to Rome and breaks into the Coliseum saying, “Nothing is off limits” and later says, “You gotta admit it’s worth the risk.”
There is also the typical PG-13 sex scene, which with his moral code should not surprise us at all. What did surprise me was when Millie says, “You know you could have just taken me on a date,” implying she would have slept with him for a much cheaper price.
Finally our hero is estranged from his father (Michael Rooker). And while at first he seems to be emotionally distant or possibly abusive, as the move goes on I saw him as the father waiting for his prodigal son to return. SPOILER WARNING: Unfortunately because David is immature and self-absorbed his return is too late.
In the end, the pacing and special effects will most likely keep your interest, but the story is unsatisfying and like us, our “hero” seems to have learned nothing.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Typical worldly values and garbage. Honestly there is very little about this movie that is either entertaining or redeemable… just let the kids skip this one.
Side Note:
As said above, we don’t recommend your kids see this film. But on the occasion that they actually have already seen it, you may want to dialogue about the film with them. These questions below may be a help to you.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
