Jumper (PG-13, 2008)

common sense media says

Action-heavy sci-fi tale has uninspiring hero.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this sci-fi action adventure with Star Wars' Hayden Christensen features lots of violence that appears to have little effect on victims. The teleportation process causes abrupt ruptures in space and time and sometimes rams jumpers into walls or the ground. Fights show bodies slamming, falling, and crashing through walls, as well as gunfire and electric zapping. There are also explosions, a car chase, and a combat zone in the background. One scene suggests that sex has taken place (a woman's naked back is visible in bed); another shows a couple taking off their shirts (her bra stays on) and kissing. Language includes "f--k," "s--t," and "hell."

Positive messages: Hero with "jumper" superpowers uses them to steal money from banks (leaving IOUs), as well as travel the globe. Villains are determined to kill all jumpers. Girl needs saving.
Violence: Lots of cartoonish violence that leaves characters with bloody lips or bedraggled hairstyles. The jumpers' teleporting typically involves whooshing wind, slamming into floors, and sometimes thunder and dark clouds. Fights feature slamming bodies against and through walls, punching, leaping, and falling. Some shooting and exploding (in one instance a building is ripped apart). An early scene shows a boy nearly drowning (spooky underwater shots) and then, at home, fearing his angry father. Electric voltage is used against jumpers, leaving them looking stressed and pained. Jumper-car chase shows car slamming into then driving through traffic. A jump into a war zone shows soldiers shooting, fires, and explosions.
Sex: Post-sex shot shows a woman in bed, her bottom covered but her back naked. A couple kisses passionately and pulls off their tops (her bra remains on), as they fall from bed to floor laughing.
Language: Language includes "s--t" (one with "bull") and "f--k" (infrequent), several uses of "hell," and one character repeatedly says "holy crap."
Consumerism: Bedroom posters feature Metallica, Mark Twain, Kurt Cobain. Sony electronics, mention of Oprah.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Several scenes set in bars, with background drinking (beer and liquor). David drinks beers in a bar; his father drinks beers repeatedly.

More on Jumper

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about whether this movie can be considered a "superhero" story. What makes a character a superhero? What do most movies about superheroes have in common? Does this film follow that trend? Do you think of it more as an action movie or a sci-fi movie? Why?

What's the story?

What's the story?
David (Hayden Christensen) is a jumper. At the outset of the film, it's unclear exactly how that happened, but what it means in practice is that he can teleport from place to place all over the globe, from the Sphinx to the Empire State Building. He eventually learns that he's not the only one; his is a genetically determined superpower that has been granted over centuries -- and has ignited a longstanding hatred by an organization of bullies known as the Paladins, who resent and fear the jumpers' abilities. Chief among these is Roland (Samuel L. Jackson), who is fiercely hunting David, determined to kill him and all of his friends and family -- including childhood crush Millie (first played by AnnaSophia Robb, then by Rachel Bilson), abusive father William (Michael Rooker), and absent mother Mary (Diane Lane). It's up to David to save Millie, find his mom, and figure out his place in the world.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Though it's based on a science-fiction novel by Steven Gould, Doug Liman's movie feels very comic booky, punctuated by action scenes, a car chase, explosions, and shoot-outs -- none of which are very original or visually compelling, despite the seemingly singular notion of "jumping." It doesn't help that Christensen makes a vague protagonist, with his motivations for stealing money from banks or beating up bullies remarkably banal (essentially, he does it because he can). Though he gets nervous when Roland shows up with a big electric stick that's part cattle prod and part taser, he's blown off the screen (metaphorically) when another jumper, Griffin (Jamie Bell), shows up.

Witty, wise, and charismatic, Griffin is a more exciting potential hero than David, but he's mostly used as a source of information: He has actually looked into what it means to be a jumper and has learned history, considered moral responsibilities, and even figured out a strategy for resisting the Paladins. David is less able to consider nuances, but that's what makes him a "hero" -- at least in his own mind. As he says, "I used to be normal, a chump like you." Now, he's considerably less interesting, even if he doesn't know it.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Doug Liman
Cast: Hayden Christensen, Rachel Bilson, Samuel L. Jackson
Genre: Science Fiction
Run time: 88 minutes
Theatrical release: February 14, 2008
DVD release: June 9, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: sequences of intense action violence, some language and brief sexuality.

This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13

Most useful reviews by all members

4Spice
adult
 
very good
watch this movie lots of action 12 and over for sex

 
good movie there is one sexual scene it has scenes of violence but no blood has language but pretty clean

Dr.Q
adult
 
Is a good movie. The plot was well made. The actors were good. Jumping to other area in the planet was a thing to see.

Katie-Kakes
teen, 17 years old
 
Perfect movie for the whole family
It was interesting and i loved the story line, it wasnt to violent and i had seen much worse at the age of 12 when i first saw this movie but i thoughly loved this movie. i think that everyone should see it

 
A disappointment
This movie could have been really good. Really. But, um, it wasn't. I can only describe the so-called hero as lame, and the storyline had far too many holes for my liking. Hayden Christensen delivered a stunningly inept preformance as David Rice, and the other actors were almost as bad. The movie had potential, but sadly, it fell rather short of its mark.

Reviewer X1
teen, 16 years old
 
"Very unlikable" (SPOILER)
The main character is unlikable. He runs away from home, steals from banks at first just to get by. But then he does it so many times that he is swimming in cash in a luxury apartment. The Villain, who hunts our "hero," comes off as a noble character for the first 30 minutes. Until he brutally kills another jumper in front of the audience. The ending is terrible. But it really depends on your expectations. I went in thinking it would be awesome.

Ph0chiz0
teen, 16 years old
 
Sad acting, great concept...
Sadly an awesome concept is ruined by horribly bland, poor, acting... The idea is there is a select few who have the power to teleport to anywhere they have visual contact with, and a group of government officials are trying to hunt them down because "only god should have the power to be everywhere all the time."

Spielberg00
teen, 14 years old
 
A whole lot better than the reviews say it is. Amazing special effects.
My rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, sensuality, strong language and some scenes involving teens drinking.

jumper34
teen, 16 years old
 
rock for young teens
awsome fast paced action flick. With one sexual scene and some language not has bad hs good be. Not for kids for violence

ResidentEvilPotter
teen, 13 years old
 
Not Bad
Good storyline, good actors. Language not too bad, one sexual scene that isn't too bad. Okay for thirteen and up.

J0K
kid, 13 years old
 
Awesome movie.
One my favorites.

Jadenp
teen, 15 years old
 
Suggested MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence, strong language, brief sexuality, and thematic material.

ironkid21
kid, 13 years old
 
cool movie

Pony21
teen, 14 years old
 
Perfect for young but mature teens
It was a pretty good movie even though the critics bashed it. There was a lot of sci-fi violence that didn't appear to harm anyone. A few kisses and an implied sex. Not much swearing. A few of the characters have drinks and there is a scene in a bar with a drunken person. All and all, I would say it is good for age 14 and up.

Big Pappi
teen, 14 years old
 
A disappointing action flick
This movie was kind of violent but nothing REALLY bad. there is a lot of teleportation, so if u didnt like x-men u defiantly will not like this one. haydon christianson is a horrible actor.

iluvzmoosyk
teen, 16 years old
 
Okay movie
This movie is far from my favorite movie of all time but it wasn't horrible. It was a good mix of romance and violence, but the movie seemed to fly by, as though it was very short. I guess it was pretty short because it's only and hour and 28 minutes but it seemed even shorter that that. I'd say that this movie is good for kids 13+. Hope my review is helpful -i love dogs

fif
educator
 
A simple story with a simple plot. I never really cared about any of the characters except Millie. I thought the special effects were pretty cool. Mild PG-13 with some language and role model issues (actions w/o real consequences).

 

jjjs22
teen, 15 years old
 
interesting but not as good as it looks
I wanted to see this movie the moment I saw the preview but when I saw it It i was very dissapointed with it the language was mild with one use of the f-word and it was a little violent other wise it was okay for kids 12 and up

MovieKid
kid, 13 years old
 
great
really great movie.

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