'Jumper' trips and falls flat

JUMPER — ** — Hayden Christensen, Rachel Bilson, Samuel L. Jackson; rated PG-13 (violence, profanity, vulgarity, brief sex); Carmike 12 and Ritz; Century Sandy and South Salt Lake; Cinemark Jordan Landing; Megaplex District, Gateway and Jordan Commons

"Jumper" has a pretty cool premise. After all, who wouldn't want the ability to teleport, or "jump," anywhere in the world, at a moment's notice?

Unfortunately, the science-fiction adventure film doesn't do anything really innovative with that premise. It also has a wooden lead in Hayden Christensen, who was one of the biggest irritants in George Lucas' already-sketchy "Star Wars" prequel trilogy.

And it's Christensen's lumberlike performance and some really dumb plotting and dialogue that the film will probably be remembered for most.

He stars as David Rice, a tormented teen who uses his teleportation powers to escape an abusive family.

David then "jumps" into a bank vault and uses the stolen loot to pay for a ritzy apartment and a posh lifestyle. Soon enough, he's surfing in Fiji, lunching on the pyramids of Egypt and pub crawling in London.

He also reunites with his childhood crush, Millie (Rachel Bilson). But their happy reunion is short-lived — David is being pursued by "paladins," religious zealots who are hunting and killing all of the "jumpers" they find.

This is a definite step down for director Doug Liman, whose previous hits include "Go," "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" and the first "Bourne" movie. Three credited screenwriters were responsible for dumbing down the Steven Gould novel, and there's little Liman can do with this mess.

Besides, he's stuck with Christensen, whose sole contribution is not laughing at villain Samuel L. Jackson, whose hair appears to have been "flocked" like a Christmas tree.

Only Bilson and Jamie Bell, who plays a fellow "jumper," seem to have much enthusiasm for the material.

"Jumper" is rated PG-13 for strong violent action (fisticuffs, shootings, stabbings, warfare, vehicular and explosive mayhem, and violence against women), scattered strong profanity (including one use of the so-called "R-rated" curse word), vulgar slang and gestures, and a brief sex scene (implied). Running time: 88 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com