Apparently the concept is that these people can just think about where they want to be and they’re there. But over the years there have been a good number of “Jumpers” and of course they have abused their powers. So in comes a group of individuals who have charged themselves with dispensing  with these people. Maybe I missed something, but couldn’t they just, you know, “jump” away and not get caught?

It’s hard to try and convince me that this movie is going to be worth seeing. With awful commercials attempted before the Superbowl with Samuel L. Jackson who plays Roland, an NSA agent, the leading actor being none other then Waaaahnakin Skywaker, and Rachel Bilson providing decent eye-candy, I’m not sure the concept behind it will overcome those obstacles. No matter how cool it would be to teleport, even Marvel Comics figured out that it wouldn’t be enough as a power so the made Nightcrawler into a blue demon (or elf, if you ask Wolverine).

With a name like “Jumpers”, all I can think about is the bouncy chair my mother use to strap me into when I was a kid. Even that sounds more interesting to revisit than this movie.

If you don’t know the story of Iron Man, here’s a quick run down of this retelling. Tony Stark owner of Stark Enterprises, the worlds leader in Military Weaponry, is showing off some new technology at an Air Force base in Afghanistan when it is attacked and he is taken hostage. Forced to build a missile for the terrorist who capture him, Stark is given access to an extensive workshop. With shrapnel stuck next to his heart from the initial attack, he builds a suit of armor, pacemaker, and a flame thrower to fight his way out of captivity. After returning home he upgrades the armor to its current day red and gold, taking on the threats that grew while he was away.

Iron Man is what I would call a middle ground hero. Most people know the name or at least they’re convinced they do thanks to the Black Sabbath song. Either way, Iron Man makes for a great story except for how awful his villians library is. The casting for this movie by Director John Favreau (Zathura, Elf, Made) is amazing, but people said the same  about “Mars Attacks”. The cast includes Robert Downey Jr. (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Terrence Howard (Ray) as Lt. Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Gwyneth Paltrow (Running With Scissors) as Virgina “Pepper” Potts, Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski) as Obadiah Stane/Iron Monger, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D..

It would be hard to say that Downey had to do a lot mentally to become Tony Stark. Where Stark has to deal with his alcoholism in the public eye, Downey had his cocaine addiction. He did however have to get in peak physical shape. While Downey and Stark share similarities, Jackson and Fury are the same person. In the newest Marvel recreation of their universe, Nick Fury was remade in Jackson’s exact image. The only thing Jackson might have to do is learn some military lingo. While I’m not as familiar with Iron Monger, I highly respect Bridges and feel that he will play his part very well.

I’m starting to think that this movie has a lot of potential. With the Mandarin revealed as the main nemesis (but not shown anywhere yet), a hint of Stark’s personal problems leaving room for a sequel, and the intention of utilizing Downey in the new Hulk movie showing a connection between the Marvel Universe, perhaps this will be what makes up for “Superman Returns” and “Catwoman”.

As long as Jackson doesn’t say “I’m tired of these mother f****ing superhero’s, in my mother f****ing city!” we should be set.