I was actually going to ask Liman about this because it really is out of place. Here you have a world in which the only thing that is seemingly out of the ordinary is that Hayden Christensen can teleport (“jump”) anywhere he wants (there are rules to this included in the press kit which I am sure all of you read). So, basically it is quite a realistic and non-futuristic world. Then there is Sam Jackson with his scowl, his gadgets and his tidy little suit. Oh, and his white hair… What the fuck? Is it cool? Is it futuristic? It’s a minor gripe, which is why it is here at #10, but it is simply part of a long line of questions.
Sam Jackson hates Hayden Christensen so he and his crew, called Paladins (get to that in a sec), want to kill him (get to that too). Somehow they track Hayden (not going to get to that but it was on the list) and Sam tells them to send everyone. Two people go. Two. Not everyone. What kind of pull does Sam actually have in this crew?
Told yah I would get to this. You see, the first time Sam is introduced he says he is with the NSA, later he says he’s with the IRS, another time he just punches someone when asked for his clearance. The only thing we do know is that he is a Paladin and he wants to kill Hayden and others that can teleport. Unfortunately that is all we know about this little group, at least by watching the film. Those lucky enough to get their hands on the press kit are way ahead of the game. What? You didn’t get a press kit? Well, that is silly… Here, let me enlighten you:
Paladins [are] a highly secretive, elite force that for several thousand years has tried to stop Jumpers from using their dangerous powers for ill gain. Those Jumpers who make it to adulthood become the instantaneous targets of the merciless Paladin agency, who will do anything to eliminate them, no questions asked, no matter what.
So the “what” is answered but we are still left with the “why”. Also, good thing we didn’t see Paladins killing a bunch of young jumpers in the film, that would have been gruesome.
On top of the fact that Jamie Bell should have played the lead in Jumper instead of the awful, awful, awful Hayden Christensen there is one huge problem with his otherwise cool little character. You see, Jamie has a tendency to follow Hayden around as he jumps from place to place and he adds his little one-liners, “Rookie,” ha, really cheeky there James. Then, he helps Hayden escape some Paladins (sort of) but now that Hayden knows he is following him, Jamie wants nothing to do with him. SO WHY THE HELL DID YOU FOLLOW HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE?
There is way more to this story that isn’t revealed in the film – Is Jamie the lost brother of Hayden’s? – SNAP! SPOILER! Remix that shit and give me Jumper 2: Jump Back right now!
When Hayden first learns he can teleport he runs away from his dickhead dad and starts robbing banks with his teleport powers. Yeah, you would think this is some bad thing, but hold up, he leaves IOU notes. Ha, ha, ha… That cheeky bastard! He’s crazy. Here’s the problem, Hayden is an ass hole in this movie, and a selfish one at that. He would never leave an IOU note, he would leave a “Fuck You” note, but this is a PG-13 flick so IOU will have to do.
