Movie Review: Jumper - Starring Hayden Christensen & Samuel L. Jackson
Released: February 14th, 2008
Watched: February 15th, 2008
Runtime: 1 hr. 30 min.
Ticket Price: $7.50 Matinee
Refreshments: None
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Rachel Bilson & Diane Lane
Director: Doug Liman
Rating: Wait for the Rental, if Not Longer
Synopsis: A kid, whose mother left when he was five, grows up with an abusive father. One day during high school he gets trapped under the ice, when he falls through a frozen lake and teleports himself to the city library to escape. He decides to leave town and moves to New York. He grows up there thinking he is the only one that can do what he does, but there are people tracking his kind and he is not alone. Once he pops up on their radar, the girl he loves ends up in danger. He does whatever it takes to save her from those that will use anyone and anything to kill him for what he is.
Review: Jumper’s tagline says, “Anywhere is possible.” Too bad they didn’t go someplace then, as the film goes absolutely nowhere. Actually, there is just no there, there. It’s all sizzle, read special f/x, and no steak, read story. Given the 90-minute runtime, there was plenty of opportunity to add some heft, or some depth, to what is an interesting premise, without making the movie too long.
Jumper is based on the Steven Gould novel of the same name
Director Doug Liman helmed the first
More time was needed to develop the main character of David Rice, played by Hayden Christensen (Factory Girl, Star Wars: Episode II & III). Why more movies can’t introduce the hero like was done in the first Spider-Man
Speaking of needing more development, how about giving us a bit more about Griffin, played by Jaime Bell (Flags of Our Fathers, King Kong). What’s his story, I guess you have to read the book
And, while we’re on the subject of needing more, how about a bit more of why there is a group tracking and killing their kind. How about something, anything, as to why Roland, a member of that group, played by Samuel L. Jackson (Snakes on a Plane, Coach Carter), is so hell bent on putting an end to them.
If this was an attempt at kicking off a new series of Jumper movies, it doesn’t do a very good job. In a movie series, each individual movie should be able to stand on its own, while moving the overall story along. Yet, so much is glossed over or left out of this possible first installment that it’s as wobbly as Bambi trying to walk on the frozen pond. Although, given that, maybe they should make a sequel, cause there sure is plenty of untold story left to fill it with.
At any rate, if you are thinking of going to see Jumper, you should probably just wait for the rental, if not longer. The special f/x are pretty good, but not good enough to overcome its other faults and make it a worthwhile experience to see it on the big screen.
What did you think of Jumper?
What New Movies Open on Valentine’s Day 2008?
A little late posting this, but this week there are six new movies opening. There are four opening everywhere and two are in limited release.
Opening Nationwide on Thursday, February 14th:
Movie: Definitely, Maybe (PG-13)
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher, Derek Luke, Abigail Breslin, Elizabeth Banks & Rachel Weisz
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Synopsis: A guy in the process of getting a divorce is asked by his daughter what his life was like before he got married. She also wants to know how her parents met. So, he tells her a story of three women he dated, but changes their names so his daughter has to guess which one is her mother.
First Thoughts: This actually looks pretty good and would definitely, maybe make a good choice this weekend. Have like Ryan Reynolds since his Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place days on TV.
Movie: Jumper (PG-13) (Read Review)
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Rachel Bilson & Diane Lane
Genre: Sci-fi Action Adventure
Synopsis: A bright kid growing up in a tough family finds that he can teleport. With his newfound power, he takes off for New York City. He uses his ability to try and find out who killed his mother. But, he starts to get the attention of the NSA and another guy his age that has the same ability as he does. He ends up in a fight for his survival and those he loves.
First Thoughts: Have been looking forward to this one since seeing the first trailer months ago. It has a great cast and is brought to by the guy behind the Bourne films, but its 90-minute runtime and release date are keeping my expectation low.
Movie: The Spiderwich Chronicles (PG)
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Sarah Bolger, Andrew McCarthy, Joan Plowright & David Strathairn
Genre: Fantasy Adventure
Synopsis: The troublemaker in the family of three kids is thought to be behind the shenanigans taking place in an old dilapidated house belonging to a relative. It turns out that magical creature abound and they want a book that the young boy has come across, which is a field guide to all the terrific creatures and was penned by Arthur Spiderwick.
First Thoughts: Looks like it could be a lot of fun for the whole family. Also, being released in an IMAX version.
Movie: Step It Up 2 The Streets (PG-13)
Starring: Briana Evigan, Robert Hoffman, Telisha Shaw, Adam G. Sevani, Cassie & Will Kemp
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: A girl dancer gets enrolled at the Maryland School of the Arts, but finds fitting in to be difficult. She joins up with one of the best dancers and other misfits from the school to form a team to train for an underground dance competition.
First Thoughts: Another in a long line of crappy urban dance movies.
Movies in Limited Release:
- George A. Romero’s Diary of the Dead – Zombie horror movie about a group filming a horror movie that find themselves being attacked by zombies. Starts Friday, February 15th.
- The Year My Parents Went on Vacation – Coming-of-age dramedy that starts Friday, February 15th.
For New Movie Friday there are five new movies this week to choose from. They are Definitely, Maybe, George A. Romero’s Diary of the Dead, Jumper, The Spiderwick Chronicles, and Step It Up 2 The Streets. What new movie will you be heading out to see this week?
Movie Review: Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins - Starring Martin Lawrence, Cedric the Entertainer, Nicole Ari Parker & James Earl Jones
Released: February 8th, 2008
Runtime: 1 hr. 54 min.
Ticket Price: $7.50 Matinee
Refreshments: Gummy Bears
Starring: Martin Lawrence, Cedric the Entertainer, Joy Bryant, Nicole Ari Parker, Mo’Nique, Michael Clark Duncan, Mike Epps, Margaret Avery & James Earl Jones
Director: Malcolm D. Lee
Rating: Worth an Early Matinee
Synopsis: A guy who was the brunt of jokes as a kid, but is now a successful talk-show host, is returning home for his parents anniversary. Nothing ever seemed to workout for him as a kid. Now, he wants to show his family and everyone else back home that he is not the scrawny kid that used to get beat by his cousin at everything. Things don’t go as he had planned upon returning home and having to deal with his relatives.
Review: Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is a slightly above average comedy with bits of family drama thrown in. Yet, there is nothing here you haven’t seen before. That isn’t always a bad thing, if it is exceptionally well done or packaged in a new way. For the most part though, that is not the case here.
Too much of the comedy dwells upon mismatched dog sex, getting sprayed by a skunk, and the free-swinging joke stylings of Mike Epps (The Honeymooners, Next Friday). Of course he hits one out of the park occasionally, but strikes out way more often than he ever makes contact. Yet, while the comedy can push the taste boundaries, there are plenty of laughs throughout. Many of which, actually didn’t appear in the trailer or commercials.
For a movie that is almost two hours long, they zip you right through introducing you to Martin Lawrence’s (Big Momma’s House, Bad Boys) successful talk show host and his beautiful Survivor winning fiancée, with an Access Hollywood profile about their recent engagement. This seems to be a movie and TV staple, as a similar type intro was used on last night’s series premiere of Lipstick Jungle on NBC. Wish sometimes that they would take a little more time with the intros, instead of rushing into the main story so quickly.
Overall, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is a decent time at the theater. Although, after the last week’s trek into the Strange Wilderness, almost anything would probably seem that way. Oh, and when the credits start to roll, don’t rush out, as there is still a little fun to be had.
What did you think of Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins?
What Movies Start Friday, February 8th?
This week, there are seven new movies opening. There are three opening everywhere and four are in limited release.
Opening Nationwide on Friday, February 8th:
Movie: Fool’s Gold (PG-13)
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, Donald Sutherland, Alexis Dziena & Ewen Bremner
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Synopsis: An obsessed treasure hunter is in search of a legendary cache of treasure that sunk in 1715. He has put everything he owns into finding it and it led to the break up of his marriage. Just as his wife has begun to start over, he finds a clue to the treasure’s location. He gets a billionaire, who happens to be his wife’s boss, to join him on the journey to find the treasure. The woman, against her better judgment, joins in on the hunt.
First Thoughts: An attempt to rekindle the favorable memories of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Movie: Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show (R)
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Ahmed Ahmed, John Caparulo, Bret Ernst & Sebastian Maniscalco
Genre: Comedy Concert
Synopsis: Vince Vaughn and his merry band of comics traveled the country putting on shows that included standup, improvisation and music and were joined by special guests along the way.
First Thoughts: With material pulled from 30 shows, you would think it has to end up being pretty good.
Movie: Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (PG-13) (Read Review)
Starring: Martin Lawrence, Louis C.K., James Earl Jones, Cedric the Entertainer & Joy Bryant
Genre: Comedy
Synopsis: A guy who was the brunt of jokes as a kid, but is now a successful talk-show host, is returning home for his parents anniversary. He wants to show his family and everyone else back home how much he has changed. Things don’t go as he had planned upon returning to deal with his Southern relatives.
First Thoughts: Looks like the best bet of the new offerings this weekend.
Movies in Limited Release:
- The Band’s Visit – Comedy about a band made up of Egyptian police that get stranded in a small Israeli town while trying to get to the initiation ceremony they are schedule to play at.
- The Hottie & the Nottie – To get to the hot girl of his dreams a guy must deal with her not so hot best friend. Stars Paris Hilton, so the likely hood of it being good is, well, unlikely.
- How to Rob a Bank – Started today.
- In Bruges – Colin Ferrell, Brendan Gleason and Ralph Fiennes in a dark action comedy about hit men and their boss in a life and death battle in a small Flemish town.
For New Movie Friday there are three new movies this week to choose from. They are Fool’s Gold, Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show and Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins. What new movie will you be heading out to see this week?
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