D.C. MOVIE GUYS

“Jumper,” from ‘Swingers” director Doug Liman, has the feel of a terrific novel that’s missing a chapter or three.  This just released science fiction thriller offers the engaging outline of a very intriguing tale, but never quite gives you enough background to let you fully appreciate the drama that follows. Hayden Christensen (”Shattered Glass”) stars as David Rice.  When we first meet him. he’s a bright, lonely disaffected fifteen year old whose mother left him with his angry father ten years earlier.  When he accidentally falls into a frozen lake, David discovers he has the power to “jump.”  Merely by concentrating on and picturing in his mind a location he wants to be, David can be transported there.  Leaving home, he begins to use his newly discovered gift to make a life for himself.

After five years of journeying throughout the world-without a plane ticket-and funding his adventures by jumping into and out of bank vaults without a trace, David is discovered by a paladin named Roland (Samuel L. Jackson.)  A member of a secret society sworn to track down and destroy all jumpers, Roland has spent years tracking Daviod.

Barely escaping Roland, David returns to his home town while trying to figure out his next move.  He reunites with Millie, the girl he loved in high school.  Soon, they are both being hunted and David finds himself searching his past for clues to his future.

David Goyer and Jim Ulhls’ screenplay hits the ground running a benifits from Liman’s pacing and the computer driven special effects, which make the globe tripping action fun to watch.  What’s missing are the answers to some simple questions: Where did David’s jumping ablity come from ?  What did it have to do with his mother ?  Why are the paladins out to kill the jumpers and where did they come from ?  If you’re the kind of viewer that likes detail, “Jumper” may strain your patience.

Still, Christensen, Rachel Billson, who plays Millie and Jamie Bell, portraying another jumper named Griffin, bring energy and depth to their performances that, along with the first class effects, make the movie intriguing fun.

Clearly, “Jumper” is meant to be the furst in what its makers hope will be a series of films.  By leaving some questions unanswered, there is fertile ground for at least one follow-up.  If the same amount of imagination can be brought to the script of that film as was brought to the visual effects here, it won’t take a leap of faith to head into “Jumper II.”  This time around, grab a matinée ticket and take the ride.

MPAA RATING: PG-13 for profanity, violence and sexuality.

JOE’S RATING:TWO AND A HALF STARS.

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