This is a film that is not talked about nearly enough. Severely underrated and a missed opportunity for those who did not watch it due to its ratings. A movie that lacks in the department of basic logical thinking makes up for it enormously with the concept it presents to us, the audience. Jumper is a timeless classic about a man who has mastered the art of teleportation after learning that he has had the ability since he was in school.
I. Breaking the Boundaries of Space and Time
To begin your path to enjoyment with this film, one must set aside all logic. Both emotional and scientific. The suspension of disbelief is a major factor to be considered for anyone to finish the film with an excited and elevated mood in comparison to someone who would rather spend their time questioning and debating the logic of how the film works and shows what it shows, especially when it comes to human relations.
As the movie is all about teleportation and how much potential a teleporter holds in regard to convenience, danger, and pure creativity. As Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory once said:
“Assuming a device could be invented, which would identify the quantum state of matter of an individual in one location and transmit that pattern to a distant location for reassembly. You would not have actually transported the individual, you would have destroyed him in one location and recreated him in another.”
That theory does not apply here. Therefore, making the concept of teleportation without much consequence that much more entertaining. Imagine if the film really did follow Sheldon’s theory as fact. Would be boring or entertaining? Leave it down in the comments.
II. A Refreshing Take on Superpowers
Teleportation has never stolen the spotlight when it comes to superhero films. The most attention to this convenient and powerful power ever was from the X-Men films with Nightcrawler. Yes, the same ones that could never follow their own timeline and messed up so much that it is literally better off starting from scrap all over again rather than having it make sense in continuity with the 13 films it has managed to release within the franchise.
Even then, the power was never given to a main protagonist other than Jumper and Impulse, which is honestly a shame. This is one of the USPs that the film holds strongly over many other superhero films, modern or not. Having a simplistic power gives the audience more room to breathe comfortably due to its very basic nature in contrast to a power such as time travel that can easily start debates on its contradictions and rules.
III. Unveiling the Dark Side of Superhuman Abilities
Many films have come and gone that have severely underutilized the powers characters within their universe have to offer. Just to name a few characters off the top of my head: Storm, Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan), Green Lantern, Cyborg, Venom, etc.
The potential and creativity that these characters and their powers hold are near limitless. Yet the filmmakers played them so safely that they came off so much weaker than their comic counterparts.
One of the best parts about Jumper is that it does not have this problem in the slightest. We get introduced to our main protagonist who uses his power for exploration and leisure while another uses the same power for tricks and battle tactics. Neither of them hold back as to how they should use their ability which provides us with the next point in this article.
Did You Know This About Jumper?
- While shooting the movie, Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson fell in love. They would stay together until their divorce in 2017.
- Set dresser David Ritchie was killed while taking apart a piece of the set for the Toronto production.
- In order to teleport to locations that he hasn’t been to recently, David has to record footage of those locations in the book. Here, David only makes use of photos that are plastered about his flat.
- Three days of filming inside the Roman Colosseum were granted to the crew, with the following restrictions: no equipment could be set up on the ground; they could only shoot between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and natural sunlight was the only type of lighting permitted.
IV. Fast-Paced Action and Visual Spectacle
Jumper is a visual spectacle as beautiful scenes are bound to be part of the film due to the nature of the power the protagonist holds. The way the film is shot along with the script it is given, it is clear that the writers were not given much time to hone in on making this film a conversation starter.
Every element introduced in this film is introduced without much explanation and is left within 5-7 minutes. Emotions don’t linger. Consequences are severe but also dealt with as if it’s nothing. Many would consider this a flaw and rightly so.
However, it is the fast-paced nature of the film that makes the audience a lot more perceptible to suspend their disbelief.
Conclusion
This film is a mixed bag. Some may love it, many may like it, and many more may hate it. As far as FilmScopes is concerned. This film deserves more recognition and it is highly underrated. It has its flaws, major ones. That does not take away from what the film offers when it comes to a superhero movie about a teleporter living his life the best way that he sees fit.
Also Read: Unheard Women Superheroes: (Part 2)
