Hayden Christensen. Since Life As A House (2001), Revenge Of The Sith (2005) and Shattered Glass (2003) Hollywood seems to think that his sultry face can cover up all manner of sins. However the latest movie to enlist him as its leading actor clearly illustrates this isn't so. No amount of gloss can camouflage a patchy script. Furthermore, Twentieth Century Fox's plastering of Doug Liman's name on every poster with the caption 'from the director who brought us The Bourne Identity' does nothing to calm film-critic nerves.

Jumper is a screenplay written by David S. Goyer which is based on the book by Steven Gould. It follows the story of David Rice (Christensen), a young man who discovers, through a traumatic experience that he can teleport. He has the ability to disappear and simply reappear in any place he wishes. So he does what any teenager would do and sets out to make all his wishes come true, starting by getting very rich, very fast. Years into his secretive new life he is attacked by Roland (Samuel L. Jackson), a member of the Paladins. "Palladins kill Jumpers," says Griffin, played by Jamie Bell, "and I kill Paladins." Suddenly David finds himself and his love interest Millie (Rachel Bilson) caught up in a battle he never wanted to be part of.

This is a film whose heart does not appear to be in its right place. Its characters move clumsily through the motions like pieces moving around a chessboard. It is hampered by a formulaic approach to story-making and its cast-members seem motivated only by their wage-packets. Samuel L. Jackson and Hayden Christensen give lazy performances of which both actors are far more capable, whereas Jamie Bell and Rachel Bilson are disappointing, leaving much to be desired.

The stunning locations used for the film were numerous, including Rome, Egypt and London. Unfortunately the cinematography is stark and has no clear stylistic nuances. Therefore the picture lacks any definitive style. The special effects sequences are complex and interesting, containing quite a few unexpected surprises but they aren't enough to pull the film to its feet.

Jumper is, arguably the first blockbuster of 2008 and the talk of sequels hasn't stopped since its release. However, it is unlikely that a sequel will provide more than this film did. Its ending is where the middle should be and the fact that it doesn't resolve any of its conflicts will most likely leave audiences unsatisfied.

by Elizabeth Amisu