Source Code

Originality, Creativity, and Attraction Make for Entertaining Movie
Source Code, PG-13, ***, Jake Gylenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Ver Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, Michael Arden. Summit film. Director Duncan Jones. Length 93 minutes.

“Source Code” takes place on a Chicago commuter train, in a semi time capsule, and in the body of another person. If this sounds confusing, the movie is a science fictional look at inhabiting another person’s body and mind. In this case, before a bomb tragedy takes place. The point is to find out what happened on the train through clues and information so future attacks can be prevented. The explosion on the train is horrible.
Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) has been chosen as the individual who must return to the tragedy and discover what happened. He finds himself on a commuter train to Chicago with Christina Warren (Michelle Monaghan). In eight minutes the train will explode. He must find the culprit and identify the person in order to stop more tragedies in the future.
It is not his assignment to change any events; just find the culprit. Of course, he gets several chances to relive the tragedy because eight minutes is just not enough time to get the job done. The “Source Code” only allows him eight minutes.
As he continues to return to the scene of the accident, he begins to fall for Christina while at the same time trying to find the bad guy.
Returning to his time cubicle after trying to locate the bomber, he becomes frustrated. Colleen Goodwin (Vera Farmiga) adjusts the controls that send him back to the accident. He is not happy with what is taking place. Collen is mesmerizing as she stares at him through a video camera with her compelling blue eyes. Dr. Rutledge (Jeffrey Wright) is responsible for this Aladdin’s Lamp like device that sends the genie back to the scene of the crime to work his magic on solving the crime. It seems better to explain the return to the past tragedy with a little jocularity than to give the reader a lesson in science fictional time travel.
This all sounds a little off kilter. It is over the top, but we must keep in mind it is a science fiction movie and of course, just a movie. It is enjoyable and filled with action along with charisma between Colter and Christina.
“Source Code” will keep the audience on the edge of the theater seats as the viewers relive the accident several times. However, the originality and creativity of the story will give the audience an opportunity to escape from the real world and enjoy this entertaining movie.
The movie shows that when we begin to try and alter events with an individual who cares about others, it might not work out as expected.
As the movie progresses and the characters begin to develop, the audience starts to connect with the good guys. “Source Code” has originality and creativity. The writing, directing, and acting make this movie an entertaining outing for thrill seeking movie goers.