Jumper

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Imagine yourself in a terrible scrape, your life about to end, and in no time flat, you can disappear and re-emerge safely in Paris, Tokyo, among the pyramids, or in your very own bedroom.

Such is the power that young hero David Rice (Max Thieriot) learns he possesses after an altercation with the high school bully in Ann Arbor, Mich., which results in his being trapped under the town's frozen lake, and seconds later, emerging wet but alive in -- of all places -- the local library.

David figures out, in short order, that he actually has the ability to transport himself instantly to any location around the globe.

The chaotic science fiction thriller "Jumper" (Fox/Regency) shows how David uses his power to run away from home and his caricature of an abusive father (Michael Rooker). (His mother, played by Diane Lane in a bit part, abandoned him when he was 5.)

His first morally questionable order of business is to transport himself to a bank where he liberally helps himself to a small fortune for living expenses. ("I was 15. I figured I'd pay it back someday," he reasons, but we never see him follow through.)

A white-haired investigator named Roland (Samuel L. Jackson) hears of the robbery, and recognizes the hallmarks of a so-called Jumper. He's no police chief or FBI agent, but rather a member of the Paladins, an ancient organization dedicated to the extermination of the Jumpers whom they believe will destroy the world. "Only God has the right to be all places at one time," intones Roland.

(Once a Jumper is in the organization's clutches, several bolts of electricity can paralyze him, as we observe in a gruesome scene wherein Roland catches a hapless Jumper deep in the forest and skewers him.)

An adult David (now played by Hayden Christensen) learns more Jumper-Paladin back story from a cocky British Jumper named Griffin (Jamie Bell). The Paladins, he glibly explains, are the religious fanatics who, throughout history, were responsible for the Inquisition, witch hunts and so on.

David eventually reunites with his childhood crush, Millie (Rachel Bilson), but keeps his powers secret. He brings her to her dream city, Rome, where he continues to show a careless disregard for authority, this time by breaking into the Colosseum after closing time to impress her.

When Roland reappears hot on David's tail, Griffin reluctantly agrees to team with David to defeat their pursuer and get Millie out of harm's way.

There are some decent effects, though visually the film is murky, with an excess of dizzying cross-cutting and hand-held camerawork.

The basic premise -- based on a book by Steven Gould -- is not, on paper, unpromising. But action director Doug Liman can do little with a risible, underwritten script, dull plot and indifferent performances, apart from Bell's. Even Jackson sleepwalks through his role.

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The film ends on an open-ended note that confidently seems to presage a sequel. That is, if anyone cares after this tepid first go-round.

The film contains intense action violence, an instance of the f-word, crude language and profanity, implied nonmarital sexual relationship, murder and mayhem. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops