Although last-minute cast changes raised the age of its protagonist from 18 to 25, ‘Bourne Identity’ director Doug Liman’s adolescent wish-fulfilment fantasy about ‘jumper’ Hayden Christensen’s ability to teleport himself to any tourist spot on the globe is based on a ‘young adult’ novel. And it shows. First Christensen (Anodyne Skywalker from the ‘Star Wars’ sequels) escapes from his angry father, then he robs a bank to fund a colour supplement lifestyle. Later, he whisks his startled girlfriend (Rachel Bilson) off to Rome. But it’s not all about irresponsible hedonism.
With the reluctant help of scruffy fellow ‘jumper’ Jamie Bell, Christensen eludes the pursuing Paladins (don’t ask) lead by blond-barneted baddie Samuel Jackson. Then he embarks upon a predictable ‘coming-of-age’ quest to find his missing mother. CGI trickery and physical stunts abound, but the spastic action is more agitating than exciting. Long before the 88 minutes are up, you may be thinking, ‘Beam me up, Scottie’.