Brian’s Review – “Source Code”

Jake Gyllenhaal portrays a soldier recruited for a time-bending government investigation that places him in another man’s mind and body, reliving the same traumatic event repeatedly in an effort to identify the perpetrators of a terrorist bombing. Vera Farmiga plays a communications specialist who provides the vital link to the soldier’s primary reality as he searches for critical clues within a recurring nightmare.

Brian-

Rating- 9 out of 10

It would be easy to dismiss Source Code as a derivative copycat of the Matrix simply because it contains the world within a world concept. If you did that you’d be missing out on one of the truly special science fiction films in recent years. Director Duncan Jones’ first film “Moon” was a cult hit that contained an interesting concept but failed when it came to pulling me in. However, his sophomore effort here has no such problems. Right from the first frame, I was swept up in this world where it’s one part science fiction and the other part a detective story. I wouldn’t dare dream to explain the plot points to you because that would ruin the entire experience. The greatest art here is the sense of discovery that the viewer gets as more answers slowly come to the main protagonist. The lead in this case is played capably but never over the top by Jake Gyllenhaal. He hits just the right balance of emotions without ever overdoing it.

Sci/fi films are always tricky when actors go over the top because it’s a reminder to the audience that what they’re watching has less reality to it. The ending turned out to be much more emotionally satisfying than what I was expecting and was a welcome change from the usual shootouts and explosions that we get from most films of this type. Duncan Jones clearly has tremendous control over this medium and I can’t wait to see what he does next. Don’t miss it!