Jumper (12a)

Feb 15 2008

DAVID Rice, played by Hayden Christensen (Star Wars), can literally take himself anywhere in the world in a flash.

So, too, can the mysterious Griffin (Jamie Bell), whose meteoric, global career since Billy Elliot has left his on-screen accent in a right old mess. But at least it sums up a character who probably doesn't know where he is half the time.

Samuel L Jackson (like Christensen, another former Jedi Knight) is on the trail of Rice. But, like the rest of the film, his role is curiously undeveloped compared with his latest designer coat and hair-do which makes him resemble a Premiership footballer in disguise.

Jumper is more content to push back the boundaries of film technology whenever it feels like it instead of honing its characters.

It also includes some good set pieces, a flash of sex, odd bits of tension and some clever stunts.

After starring in the brilliant Shattered Glass four years ago, Christensen seems back in Star Wars' territory, completely bemused by an acting process corrupted by too much technology.

The 26-year-old Canadian should stick to good scripts.

Website: www.jumperthemovie.com