Rating - C- Quite frankly, "Jumper" is the banal movie I expected the surprising "Transformers" to be. Devoid of anything resembling an intelligible plot, this incredibly placid film is made watchable solely because of its occasionally interesting special effects and a spirited supporting performance by Jamie Bell.

In other words, this is a video game masquerading as a movie specifically to appeal to sixteen-year-old boys and their friends. Yes, my sixteen-year-old exchange student, "Z", went with me. Yes, he sincerely thought this was an "excellent movie." And yes, I politely told him that he should take comfort from the fact that his tastes will evolve as he gets older!

Basically, this movie concerns humans with the ability to transport themselves at will (Jumpers) and a totally unexplained governmental organization that seeks to kill them. Never does the film take a moment to explain why it is necessary to kill these people with superpowers, and I can safely say that there will not be a moment in the movie where you will remotely care.

Samuel L. Jackson, playing the sinister leader of the governmental organization, for some unknown reason sports a blonde head of hair that makes Javier Bardem's page boy look in "No County For Old Men" look incredibly hip. Hayden Christensen, as the principal jumper, continues his unfortunate slide as an actor.

What exactly has happened to Mr. Christensen? As with his performance as Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" (2005), his performance here is almost devoid of any emotional range or depth. Where is the actor that showed such promise as the alienated, sexually convicted kid in "Life As A House" (2001) and the plagiarizing reporter who betrayed all of his friends in the under-appreciated "Shattered Glass" (2003)?

While wrestling for an answer, let me further say that this film is handicapped by the fact that it gives you no reason to remotely root for Christensen's survival. Who cares about some selfish youth who uses his powers solely for the purpose of robbing banks and thereafter living a vacuous, shallow existence off of his stolen money? Christensen's character is conceded, self-centered and any semblance of a noble thought appears never to have occurred to him.

The only character of real interest in this movie is a Jumper played by Jamie Bell. While his role is far too small to save this confused film, he does add some wit and intelligence that is otherwise completely lacking in this sophomoric cinematic venture.