Wow, what a great movie.
I am not exaggerating here, folks. Source Code is one of those films that grabs your attention from the very start and has you riveted until the end credits.
Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a decorated army Captain Colter Stevens who wakes up on a train in another man's body, without any knowledge of how he got there or why he is, quite literally, not himself. Suddenly, after eight minutes of confusion, the train explodes, seemingly killing him. He then wakes up in a strange place, only to discover he is part of a secret military program called the Source Code. It is not a simulation, but rather a projection of the past, and he must repeatedly relive the last eight minutes of another man's life to catch the bomber and prevent another major attack on downtown Chicago. Confused yet? Don't be. The story doesn't get too bogged down in pseudo-science or technical language, and the film remains an-easy-to-follow popcorn flick.
The highlight of the film is Gyllenhaal's performance. He brings a human side to all the proceedings, and gives the character a level of emotional depth not seen in most action movies. Although the film only runs about 90 minutes, the audience truly gets to know the inner workings of Captain Stevens. His specific problems and emotions are seamlessly integrated into the film without taking away from the thrilling tone. I must say after some of his films, such as Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, I doubted Gyllenhaal's abilities as a leading man. But his tender representation of a man who is given enormous responsibility proved he can act, and I believe he will be an actor to keep a close eye on in the future.
Source Code also works as a smart thriller. The action is never-ending and the overall plot oozes with tension. Gyllenhaal's character repeatedly is thrown into situations in which he is racing against the clock, and each time he discovers something new about his surroundings. The short running time of the film, coupled with the fast pace, results in a complete lack of dull moments. For all you Shyamalan fans, there are a couple twists thrown into the mix that certainly caught me off guard. Throw in a couple of good supporting performances from Vera Farmiga and Jeffrey Wright, and you've got yourself a top-notch thriller.
My only misgiving about this film is the character of Christina Warren (Michelle Monaghan), a girl who Captain Stevens meets on the train. You don't get to know her much and I felt like she was just there to give Gyllenhaal a love interest. She basically becomes his motivation for completing the mission, which I found surprising as he only knows her for several eight-minute periods during the film. But this is a minor bump in what is truly an entertaining and emotional thrill ride. With taut pacing, a smart script and great performances, Source Code is a wonderfully engaging piece of pre-summer entertainment.
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