Sorry for yet another post on "Jumper," but an article in the "New Yorker" brings up some interesting points. First, the author bemoans the fact that he actually wants to bring back James Cameron, claiming that “Aliens,” “The Abyss,” and the first two “Terminator” films exude more thorough narrative development than “Spider-Man,” “Fantastic Four,” “Batman,” and “X-Men” combined. Turning his attention toward “Jumper,” directed by Doug Liman, the article writer criticizes the frantic pacing and plot holes (eg: we are never really told how or why the lead “jumps,” or teleports, in the first place or why the “evil” Paladins are chasing the Jumpers). The author has a hilarious line for anyone less-than-fanatical about Hayden Christensen: ““Star Wars” fans will remember Hayden Christensen as the young Anakin Skywalker, or, to be accurate, as a kind of handsome void where Anakin was supposed to be.”
The article never overtly identifies a genre for the movie. It instead uses other examples to explain what the movie is: citing "Star Wars" to describe the leads (for obvious reasons), past James Cameron films to describe the content, and talking about the fighting-attacking-romance-fiction filling in the plot. Perhaps this is one sub genre that has yet to fully develop unique characteristics unto itself, but instead borrows from the adventure, superhero, romantic, sci-fi, drama in such a haphazard way that a classification has yet to surface. Such a review also demonstrates the consequences of relying too heavily on action and big idea, ignoring the dialogue and the details of the storyline. Perhaps if these elements were flushed out, "Jumper" could join the prestigious (?) rank of “Aliens” and “Terminator,” the classic examples of the action-fictional-romantic-dramas.
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2008/02/25/080225crci_cinema_lane
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