What I’m reading: Jumper

September 18th, 2008

Reading one of the reviews of the Steven Gould novel Jumper it said it was nice to see that an old idea can still be taken to new places. It is this observation that most resonates with me when I think about how much fun Jumper the book was. Being able to teleport oneself to anywhere in the world isn’t a new concept in science fiction, something that Gould himself in an act of pure class says at the end of the book. Doesn’t mean it isn’t a cool concept though.

When I saw the movie Jumper I really enjoyed it, it was a pleasant distraction and a cool idea. It also had one of the coolest posters based on the opening scene in the film which in my opinion didn’t pull it off quite so well as the poster.

The thing is though, the book is not the movie, not by a long shot. The names are the same, the first half hour generally follows some of the novel and the concept of ‘jumping’ is obviously there but they are two completely different beasts. A lot like the comic and the film version of Wanted.

It doesn’t worry me to be honest, there is the novel which is brilliant and then there is the movie which was enjoyable enough, I will address this further though in a second as I went back and watched the movie again since finishing the book the other day. It is a testament to the casting that I easily pictured the actors from the film in the roles except for Sam Jackson who’s character is a completely different entity.

The book focuses on the aspects of the storyline that most interested me from the film anyway, how Davy survives and builds his life after he runs away from home. This was a much more interesting story than the stuff that was added into the film. It’s certainly a lot more fleshed out in the novel and I think his backstory is stronger. Secondary characters also benefit from the novel especially Millie who is introduced in a completely different way and Davy’s father is built upon too, helping to create a much more vivid world.

Something that did strike me though, especially considering I was reading this around the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the US is the plot involving terrorism. In a bittersweet irony the World Trade Centre does get a mention in a sequence involving a terrorist being dropped off the edge to scare him. I can’t help but wonder if the story would have been the same in the post 9/11 world.

So as I mentioned before that I went and watched the film again, pretty much straight after reading the book and it really served to show up the soft points in the film. The book doesn’t have the annoying Griffin character or any other jumpers, there is no secret army that Davy’s Mum is a part of and in fact her story line is a lot better in the novel. Some of the really cool effects though from the film don’t make it into the book (the bus scene for instance) but the whole ‘how does jumping work’ is not satisfying to me in the movie, not well enough explained and is actually slightly different to how it works in the book.

Maybe a simpler concept film would have worked better, the book never tries to over complicate itself and it’s in this strong basic story telling that the book really works.

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8 Comments

Jeff September 18th, 2008
That’s interesting. I assumed the movie followed the book for the most part, but that the book did a much better job of fleshing out the secret army and some other elements than the film.

Maybe I’ll pick the book up if it’s really a different story. Sounds pretty good.

Jeffs last blog post..Free music on the internet!

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By Lee on September 19th, 2008 | Reply
As I say the names are generally the same and they share some basic concepts but overall the novel and the movie are two entirely different things.

The secret army thing is completely a movie only thing. The NSA does feature in the novel but nothing like the movie.

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Arjan September 19th, 2008
I didn’t expect that the secret army was totally absent in the book..
Interesting.

The ‘terrorist-drop post 9-11′ just begs for the reply: now it’s only a step..instead of a drop. So, there it is..a lame reply.

I might put this on my list..but then again I also really need to read the Dexter books (on which the tv series is based) they’re supposedly awesome..and I already think the tv series is awesome..so that leaves me no choice.

Arjans last blog post..True Blood {main theme}

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By Lee on September 19th, 2008 | Reply
I’ve been thinking about getting a Dexter book to read, I too am informed that they are supposed to be quite good. We missed a couple of episodes on TV so we’re going to check it out on DVD.

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Ian September 19th, 2008
I haven’t read the book or seen the movie.

I better rectify this by at least seeing the movie

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By Lee on September 19th, 2008 | Reply
The movie is generally entertaining, it won’t change your world but there are some interesting ideas in there.

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Widdle Shamrock September 19th, 2008
I am in two minds whether I want the movie to be like the book or not.

The plus is, if you enjoy one, you know you will enjoy the other.

Widdle Shamrocks last blog post..I am Finbar’s Mum

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By Lee on September 19th, 2008 | Reply
I look at it this way, and this was the way I had to approach Wanted, two different concepts starting off at the same point. The good thing is that if you like both then it’s a bit like doubling the pleasure. If you like the movie but hate the comic then at least you got something out of it all.

So the same with Jumper, those who dislike the film may in fact love the book, those who like the film will probably like the book as long as they don’t expect the movie in written form.

They just share the themes.

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