We Didn't Start The Fire! [Reviews: Firestarter and Scanners]

If you have supernatural powers then watch your back: there’s a good chance that a shady government agency is on your tail. This agency will be headed by an MD or research doctor, probably the one who created you and your fellow superhumans during a trial of some experimental drug or other. Give them the chance and they will take you back to an Institute built from 1960s concrete blocks, where they will watch you demonstrate your powers from behind a large glass screen.

Back in the 80s they knew how to make supernatural powers films: Firestarter (1984) and Scanners (1981). Firestarter is an adaptation of a Stephen King novel featuring the Shop agency. Pyrokinetic heroine Charlie, played by Drew Barrymore shortly after E.T., is the offspring of two experimental subjects. Charlie spends most of her time on the run but as she gains control of her powers – she is insanely powerful – she stands her ground and takes on the Shop.

Scanners is David Cronenberg’s film about the most hard-core telepaths ever. Telepathy in Scanners does not involve asking you to think of a number. It’s a hostile takeover of your nervous system – as well as controlling the actions of their target, a Scanner can stop their heartbeat or breathing, trigger epileptic seizures, or in a classic scene ramp up their blood pressure until their head explodes. Experimental drug? Check. 60s architecture Institute with glass screen? Check. Sinister MD? Check – Dr. Ruth played by Patrick McGoohan.

Few recent films in this genre have been quite as intense as either Firestarter or Scanners, although there are echoes of them in Unbreakable and Jumper. Although they might share the same subject matter they don’t feel like superhero films.

Review: Jumper

We're approaching the end of the Oscar season and entering the serious sci-fi film season (as opposed to the blockbuster season). I'm particularly looking forward to Push and Franklyn both of which are nearing their UK releases.

The Push trailer reminded me a little of Jumper, a film I enjoyed last year. It looks like both are part of the trend of re-inventing the idea of superhumans, also seen in Heroes, the bullet-benders of Wanted and M.Night Shyamalan's Unbreakable - the emphasis is taken away from jumpsuits, alter-egos and day-to-day crime-fighting, in place of casual clothes and a more inventive look at superpowers. There's still a central theme of battles between good and evil, but Jumper has less in common with Superman and more in common with John Twelve Hawks' The Traveller, or Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code as ancient secret societies try to wipe each other from history. Here the genetic defect in question grants the power of more or less unlimited teleportation, which the hero, played by Hayden Christiansen, has absolutely no intention of using for the greater good - instead, believing himself to be unique, he travels the world robbing banks, collecting souvenirs and generally leading a Jumper playboy lifestyle. He is only drawn into battle when his actions draw the attention of the Paladins, Samuel L. Jackson's Jumper-hating sect who believe, and seem to need to keep reminding us, that "Only God should have this power."

Teleportation provides an excuse to set the action in and around world landmarks. Jumpers use their abilities inventively to gain advantage in a fight - the Paladins have to stop them with Jumper-jamming electric harpoons fired from their staffs. This could have been absolute rubbish - and sometimes it is - but more often than not the scenes are imaginative and make good use of the teleportation concept.

Christiansen and Jackson are perfectly good in their roles, as is Rachel Bilson who could have been given a bit more to do. The revelation is Jamie Bell as Griffin, a fellow Jumper, who gives his part authenticity and depth. Overall this is an average but highly enjoyable B-movie that - just occasionally - punches above its' weight and provides moments of originality.