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JUMPER
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Original Release: 2008
Length: 88 min
Genre: Action/Adventure
Film Rating: PG-13
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Colour/B&W: Colour
BD Specifications:
Resolution: 1080/24p
Video Codec: AVC @ 35MBPS
Disc Size: BD-50
Audio:
- English DTS-Master Audio 5.1 Surround
- Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
- French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Subtitles: English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean
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Release Date: June 10, 2008.
Film Rating:   /
Starring: Hayden Christensen (David Rice), Samuel L. Jackson (Roland), Jamie Bell (Griffin), Rachel Bilson (Millie Harris)
Written by: David S. Goyer, Jim Uhls, & Simon Kinberg
Directed by: Doug Liman
Anywhere. Anything. Instantly.
From the director of The Bourne Identity and Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Doug Liman brings a thrilling new adventure to the screen. The concept of the film is roughly based on Steven Gould’s novel, Jumper, and has been adapted for film in a way that would be interesting for a movie-going audience. The film stars Hayden Christensen as David Rice who, at only 15 years old, discovers that he is able to teleport himself from one place to another. The first of such places is the library of Ann Arbour, MI, the town where he lives. Since the library is his place for escape, during a moment of distress he unwillingly teleports himself to that location. From this point on, David learns how to control his teleportation abilities allowing him to get into places no other human could ever possibly do, as well as to teleport to any place in the world at any time. These become his “jump sites” and all he needs to do is envision a place and he’ll jump to the site.
But life isn’t so easy; did David really think that he’d never get caught or stay unnoticed? After David meets another jumper, Griffin, he learns there are many more of them in the world. It’s also brought to his attention that he’s being hunted down by a secret organization called the Paladin, whose purpose is to kill jumpers. He’s forced to create an alliance with Griffin to fight off the Paladin and protect themselves as well as those who they’ve brought into their lives.
I thought this was an entertaining 88 minutes and time well spent. I’m not so sure why the reviews were so mediocre so I’m going to come out swinging telling you to take a good look at the film. The pace of the film was good and the storyline was entertaining, I just didn’t buy the paladin story as I thought it was too unrealistic. I can see if the paladin was a recent organization, it would make the story more believable, but to have had them chasing “jumpers” for thousands of years as a secret society seemed too far-fetched for me to keep it a sci-fi in a realistic modern world. Christensen’s acting is no better than what we saw in the Star Wars prequels although I respected him more in this role. He actually seems to fit the shy-boy character that hasn’t developed full confidence despite his teleporting abilities. Samuel L. Jackson, well…he’s another problem altogether. I’m not a fan of his acting style and my feelings are no different here. No matter what film he plays in, he acts just the same with no differentiation. Plus the white hair didn’t work. Sorry Sam.
VIDEO QUALITY: 5/5
Time of day = perfect. Interiors = perfect. Exteriors = perfect. Transfer = perfect. After trying to find some adjectives to describe the image of this release, the only word that comes to mind is perfect. The AVC MPEG-4 compression appears flawless to my eyes, but I’ll admit I was caught up in the film and tended to forget about it. There was nothing objectionable that stood out. All of the colours seems wonderfully reproduced no matter what side of the world the film crew took us (most of it is real, by the way. First unit crew did shoot at all of these locations!) Details never seem to be lacking. I found resolution to be exceptional. Effects shots are integrated perfectly. No edge enhancement is applied. The aspect ratio is 2.35:1.
AUDIO QUALITY: 4.5/5
This is an exciting and active 5.1 mix that surrounds the listener in a believable sound space. The audio is smooth, full, and even throughout the 20-20 range; at least that is how I hear it. Never once did I find it too loud, shrill, aggressive, or in your face. Dialogue is always intelligible as well as being inserted nicely in the mix. It’s never drowned out in other sounds, yet, it never seems dominant either. The front soundstage has an active mix of music and sound effects that are well recorded and deliver delivering clarity and good resolution. Sound effects are creative; the ‘suck & thump’ of bass during teleportation is interesting and makes you want to hear it over and over. The soundstage is wide and extends to the surrounds. The surround channels support the front soundstage nicely and the mix doesn’t draw attention to itself for a pleasing experience. I did feel that the overall dynamics were a bit too linear for my tastes. I would have been nice to have a bit more loudness when needed, of course, without sacrificing fidelity. The audio encode is DTS-HDMA.
TACTILE FUN!! /
TACTILE TRANSDUCER ON/ON?: ON
Adds fun to the teleportation! Shakes the seat! Of course, the action scenes are good too for a bit of heavy hitting punches and the like. D-Box Motion code is included on this title. I think it would make the movie much more exciting!
SPECIAL FEATURES: 3/5
All special features are HD so I’ll refrain from making that comment about each feature. I’m also going to say that the entire behind the scenes footage, interviews, etc were actually good, and that’s coming from a guy who hates special features. So in the end, it was worth my while to check these out.
- Commentary by director Doug Liman, producer Simon Kinberg and producer Lucas Foster. For time purposes, I didn’t spend time listening to this commentary. We all know what they are about anyways
- Jumpstart: David’s Story – Animate Graphic Novel (8.07) – the story as an animated graphic novel on screen
- Jumping Around the World - this is a PiP feature for players that have the PiP feature enabled. For those players that are not equipped for it, the material is available in a separate menu that can be accessed. The material presented is very interesting taking the viewer to behind the scenes footage of the locations around the world the movie was shot
- Doug Liman’s Jumper: Uncensored (35.34) – more behind the scenes footage about various aspects of the film
- Making an Actor Jump (7.35) – Liman talking about teleportation for the film using jump tests. It also shows how scenes used four to five actors in one shot and then they digitally erase them from the footage
- Jumping from Novel to Film: The Past, Present and Future of Jumper (8.08) – explains how they used Gould’s novel as a springboard for the movie, and plotted out three films from it
- deleted scenes - there are six here, not entirely finished as effects shots are unfinished, there is still green screen and a boom operating hanging in the background…so yeah…work needs to be done here
- Previs – future concepts (4.34) - a previs action sequence
- a second disc includes a digital copy of the film for portable devices
IN THE END...
I am pleased with the film and the Blu-ray disc of Jumper. The movie is exciting and entertaining despite some logistical issues I had with the storyline. The presentation of the disc is exceptional in both A/V as well as the special features. I will say that I’m impressed with this Fox release and will recommend the title.
Michael Osadciw
May 25, 2008.
Review System
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Warner Bros. Blu-ray Reviewer
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Re: HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Jumper
Nice review Michael....I remember seeing a lot of reviews slamming this film when it first came out and passed on it because of this. I may give it a chance on Blu.....but only when the price comes down. Paramount's pricing on their new titles (same price as Fox titles on Amazon) is just way too much to justify the purchase of this blind buy.
Recently watched- BSG: Razor[BD], BSG: Season 3, Ghost Rider[BD], X-Men Origins: Wolverine[BD], BSG: Season 2[BD], Forever Knight: Season 3
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- Joined: June 2003
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Re: HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Jumper
yeah the movie surprised me too. i'm actually wanting to watch it again for a second time (I don't get to do that often with my tight schedule)
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Re: HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Jumper
I was seriously thinking of giving this one a try until I read
Quote:
| Christensen’s acting is no better than what we saw in the Star Wars prequels...... |
After I read that, I have decided to avoid the film. If his awful acting has not improved since the Star wars prequels then he needs to find a new line of work.
When you have to shoot...shoot. Don't talk!
- Joined: June 2003
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Re: HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Jumper
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Edwin-S
I have decided to avoid the film. If his awful acting has not improved since the Star wars prequels then he needs to find a new line of work.
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Actually, for this film his acting style "works". The reason I say that is because Christensen comes accross as slightly insecure on screen. Maybe that is his acting style that just doesn't change no matter the movie or role he plays. I say the same thing for Samuel L. Jackson who I believe to be a terrible actor.
Christensen's 'style' works for this film because his character calls for it. So, if he's good at being modest, shy, and insecure, it fits perfectly for this film so it works. I never once thought "man, he's terrible!" The movie was perfectly fine with him cast for the role and I think he will do well for the next two
Jumper films should they ever be released. His style just didn't work for the Star Wars prequels. While Jar-Jar could be removed...
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Re: HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Jumper
I'll blind buy this just because it looks like a fun popcorn film, a good escape from reality for 88 minutes.
Sometime's you reach what's real by making believe.
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Re: HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Jumper
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Joseph J.D
Nice review Michael....I remember seeing a lot of reviews slamming this film when it first came out and passed on it because of this. I may give it a chance on Blu.....but only when the price comes down. Paramount's pricing on their new titles (same price as Fox titles on Amazon) is just way too much to justify the purchase of this blind buy.
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Jumper IS Fox. I always end up waiting for a sale for their titles too. Lately about the best I've done is 19.99.
My midis bring all the Force to the yard; my midis are better than yours!
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Re: HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Jumper
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Michael Osadciw
I say the same thing for Samuel L. Jackson who I believe to be a terrible actor.
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Wow, that's a helluva statement. I love SLJ and especially when he's delivering Tarantino's dialogue(Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown). To each their own.
"If you're good at something, never do it for free."
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Re: HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Jumper
This was easily one of the most negatively reviewed films released in 2008 to date, and I have to admit that I do not understand why. My assessment is more in line with Michael's. It's not filet mignon, but it is a pretty decent hamburger.
I think the main problem with the film is that at its core, it really wants to be a story targeted to tween boys and their families along the lines of the juvenile book from which it was loosely adapted, but the filmmakers added just enough elements of sex and brutal violence to push it into PG-13 territory to ostensibly give it a more adult sensibility. I think they would have been better off letting the film be what it seemd to want to be. I do not have a problem with their wholesale revisions to the plot which are actually pretty creative and fun. It's more with their approach to presenting things.
In any case, that relatively minor criticism did not affect my ability to enjoy it as a fast moving popcorn chomping entertainment.
Regards,
Ken McAlinden
Livonia, MI USA
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Re: HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Jumper
Easily worth the purchase, a very fun enjoyable popcorn movie with awesome PQ and SQ. I really enjoyed the ride. If anything, it could have been longer to get into more story.
Sometime's you reach what's real by making believe.
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Re: HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Jumper
Ron, we'll have to watch part II and III to see the rest, should they ever be made!
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Re: HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Jumper
I am one who hopes more are made, movies like this are right up my alley, turn your brain off and enjoy the ride.
Sometime's you reach what's real by making believe.
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Re: HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Jumper
Quote:
the only thing that took me out a bit was the palladen(sp) thing.
what was their reasoning.
people shouldnt have that power, only god should.
But these people have decided they have the power to choose who should die. |
as for whether they are right or wrong, they've justified their existence to themselves and that's enough for them. maybe they've known evil Jumpers throughout time. maybe John Wilkes Booth was a jumper. maybe Oswald was a jumper. maybe the biggest drug traffickers are jumpers. who knows? as for who becomes a Paladin, it's probably people who's loved ones have been killed by evil jumpers.
btw if this move wanted to be more realistic, they should just shoot the jumpers after they first get zapped. (ahh, but maybe that would create an uncollapsable wormhole or something, and they have to continuously electrocute them until all the jumping energy is depleted...?
)
"now, if that's a fact, tell me... am i lying?"
