Jumper doesn't take off (From Western Telegraph)

Jumper doesn't take off

4:52pm Thursday 26th June 2008 in

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Jumper (12) The latest film from the director of The Bourne Identity and Mr & Mrs Smith is a tough watch. Not because it deals with difficult or controversial issues but simply because it is just so bad.

What little plot there is focuses on David Rice (Hayden Christian) who discovers he can jump from place to place in the blink of an eye. He decides to run away from his humdrum existence, stealing from banks to fund his glamorous new lifestyle.

Hot on his trail are the Paladins, led by Samuel L. Jackson (putting in a lacklustre and boring performance) who have sworn to destroy all jumpers.

It is not entirely clear why they feel the need to kill them all, apart from the fact they are different, but by this time I wasn't expecting much information anyway.

David is a completely one-dimensional character, who is selfish and shallow - yet by the end we are supposed to believe he is made of nobler stuff. There is little evidence to prove this.

Based on a young adult novel by Stephen Gould, it seems to be more suited for TV, stretching it into a feature length film has diluted it completely.

The global scenery we see when David smugly teleports around the world is brilliantly shot but when the action kicks in, the jumping from place to place effects are poor and nauseating. After a few minutes it is hard to tell who's who and where they are.

The film's only saving grace is Jamie Bell as a fellow jumper, Griffin. Bell is no longer recognisable as little Billy Elliot and despite appearing to be slightly embarrassed about his role in Jumper, puts in an energetic and engaging performance.

Hopefully he will avoid damaging his career with this turkey as he really is the best thing in it.

RATING: * (only for Jamie Bell's performance) KATY WOODHOUSE