Applying Todorov's Theory of Equilibrium

I am analyzing Jumper (2008), according to Todorov's Theory of Equilibrium.

 1. Who are the agents: the protagonist (the main hero who propels the narrative forward) and antagonist (opposing agent).

The protagonist is David, who is talking in a voicover. We know he is the protagonist as he is the main focus of the entire opening sequence and he is portrayed in a good light (the one getting bullied, not doing the bullying). We see him as a teenager jumping back from the adult version of him in the first shot. In the opening sequence we don't see an antagonist (other than a bully at school) but there is hints at a more important one as he has just discovered this new found ability to jump through space and time. There is likely to be someone after him because of his ability.

2. Describe the Equilibrium. How is it represented? What kind of camera shots can you identify? (e.g establishing shots to create a sense of space or use of CUs/cutaways to emphasise particular objects/characters faces). Pick out 2 or 3 examples. Describe the mise-en-scene: what meanings to the props/costumes/lighting/framing carry?

• The equilibruim at the start is shown by that we see an average guy going to school and nothing particuarly interesting is happening to him. The shot starts off with a long shot (that zooms in towards him) of him stood on a big cliff but nothing is happening within the shot. This is used to emphazise his surroundings. He is in the middle of nowhere by himself. This tells us that he is special and important to the story. We then pan round to the front of him and see his face. The slow movement towards his face adds mystery. The lack of lighting on the man himself makes it seem as if he has something to hide. His cloak also makes his seem like a hero of some sort, or at least informs us that he has a job to do.
• The scene at 5:31 starts off as a mid long shot and then zooms into his face to a close-up. We then see confusion on his face letting us know that he doesn't know what is happening to him (as he has just jumped through space) and lets us know this is where the story begins as a form of disruption has just been introduced to his life. The lighting on his face, and the rest of the room being dark also helps us see his puzzled expression making us feel like part of the film as we are in the same position as the character. It then zooms out to reveal he is in an empty library creating a mystery around the whole situation.

3. Is the Disruption or Disequilibrium introduced or hinted at? (e.g the serial killer in "Seven" is introduced in the title sequence).

A disruption is introduced, but it is only one part of the many disruptions in the film. The disruption isn't a person, but the realisation that he has a time and space jumping ability. This hints that his 'normal' high school life will no longer exist. He finds out about this ability when he falls through the ice lake at school after trying to retrieve something. Instead of dying he is suddenly in a library where he realizes he must have teleported there. The main disruption: people who want to kill 'jumpers' have not been introduced yet as the story is only just developing.

4. Are there any visual/verbal/aural clues that hint at what the hero's journey might be? (e.g having to solve the murders within a time-limit of seven days in "Seven")

There aren't many clues about what the heroes journey will be as we are still focusing on him as a teenager trying to understand the ability. From how he's been presented we can tell he is most likely to use his ability for good, as he doesn't seen like a particularly evil character. Although, at the beginning he seems to be using his ability for his own enjoyment. He talks about going to a coffee shop, surfing, attending basketball games so he isn't actually using his ability for anything heroic yet, implying he will later on in the film (otherwise it wouldn't be  much of a story-line)

5. From your knowledge of the film, how will the equilibrium be restored and what will be the new equilibrium?

The equilibrium is restored when David and Millie (the girl he liked when he was younger) end up escaping from the people who want to kill all 'jumpers' like David. It is restored right at the end, as well as a scene where David goes to visit his mother, and finds out she is a 'Paladin' who want to kill jumpers. She lets him escape and equilibrium is reached as he escapes from the people trying to kill him. The fact that we find out his mother is a 'Paladin' hints that there could be a sequel.