Source Code is my kind of movie. Action, sci-fi, time travel (kinda) and Jake Gyllenhaal. Ok, so maybe he hasn’t had the best track record lately (Love & Other Drugs), but I was totally on board to give him another chance. Plus I really liked Moon, the previous movie that Duncan Jones directed.
The story is not-at-all simple. Let me sum up: the government has found out a way to recreate the final moments before events in order to better understand them. Ex: a bomb went off on a train and they need to know who the bomber is to stop him from hitting his next target. Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) is their guinea pig and he’s “sent” to find the bomber. (I’m sure I have completely confused you, but that’s ok, just go with it.)
Since the same basic event is being created multiple times, it can get quite monotonous, but by using different angles and Colter changing up his attitude with each outing, the scenes manage to stay fresh. Each time he tried something new, so it was fun to see a different aspect of the same scene.
I especially loved Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air) as Goodwin. Her character was basically sitting the whole time, yet with her facial expressions and her mannerisms, we are able to really sympathize and understand her actions. Michelle Monaghan (The Heartbreak Kid, Mission: Impossible III) was the adorable brunette, but we never really get a good sense of who she is or why in the world she actually follows Colter.
I almost wanted it to be more sci-fi, but ultimately, it’s more about creating a discussion of the repercussions of the actions they took. It’s got all the mind-bending of Inception, but more accessible and easier to take in. Those who love sci-fi will enjoy that aspect, and those who love action will get what they paid for.
In theaters April 1, 2011.
Rating: Just enough sci-fi and action to keep everyone entertained.
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