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Over the past couple of years, there have been a lot of typical action-science fiction films that have been good fun but nothing special or serious. However, as far as Source Code is concerned, expectations were exceedingly high seeing as it is directed by the same guy who directed Moon and that was an outstanding debut from director Duncan Jones so I already knew that we would see something new from Source Code that we hadn't seen before. Anyway, Source Code certainly delivers everything that a sci fi-thriller should and would show and for that reason, I absolutely loved it! It is full of pretty much everything despite its short 1 hour 34 minutes duration so it is almost the entire package.
Although Source Code does have its complex moments, the task within where the bomber needs to be investigated and goes back in time, it sort of makes us think ''What if we could really do that? What if that could be a possible invention is a few years time and to go back in time to prevent these crimes and solve them?'' and I think that is one of the key moments that I think could possibly become true in the future. Also, it is like if you go back to the past and do the slightest thing, it could change the course of the future completely. To be honest, a lot of people perhaps would disagree but I wouldn't really call Source Code an action film so it is more of a mystery sci fi thriller in my honest opinion but of one or two action segments such as fights, it is great. If there is any comparison that Source Code has with any film, it would have to be a bit like both Groundhog Day (like a science fiction loose version of that) and Final Destination regarding death and fate.
A bomb explodes on a Chicago train, derailing the locomotive and killing hundreds. In an attempt to identify the bomber and prevent another, larger attack on downtown Chicago, Captain Colter Stevens agrees to take part in a clandestine government experiment dubbed "Source Code," which allows him to enter the body of a male passenger during the eight minutes before the man is killed. But during his first trip back, Capt. Stevens fails to gather enough clues to prevent the second attack. With time quickly running out, he repeats the mission ad nauseam in a desperate race to head off one of the most deadly terrorist attacks ever to take place on American soil.
A film with Jake Gyllenhaal in the leading role? I'll be there to see it! He really is a Hollywood star now after his great performances in serious roles (Brokeback Mountain, Donnie Darko (although I'm not entirely keen on that one), Brother) and ones in entertaining films (Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time, The Day After Tomorrow). As for his role in Source Code, his performance was once again great and it is perhaps a performance of both seriousness and entertainment which is probably because of what the film in general is like. Colter Stevens is a decorated army helicopter pilot whose last memory is of his mission in Afghanistan, flying with his team while taking on an enemy gunfire but wakes up on a train heading for Chicago with literally no recollection of how ended up in that predicament so he looks the same but he inadvertently has two identities. Michelle Monaghan is an actress who is perhaps underrated for some of her roles but the films she stars in are overrated. As for her performance in Source Code, I not only thought that she was drop-dead gorgeous in it but she really made Christina like this ordinary young innocent woman who unfortunately ends up at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Vera Farmiga gave a breakthrough appearance as Madolyn in Martin Scorsese's The Departed, a great but underrated performance in The Boy In The Striped Pajamas and most recently in her fantastic Oscar-nominated performance as Alex Goran in Jason Reitman's Up In The Air. As for her role in Source Code, it is the most different compared to anything else she has been involved in but it was still a good performance nevertheless. Jeffrey Wright is another underrated actor who is only perhaps best known for appearing as Felix Leiter in James Bond films Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace and I thought he was great in Source Code! However, he didn't quite manage to succeed like Gyllenhaal, Monaghan and Farmiga did in my opinion.
Duncan Jones already made the masterpiece Moon but unfortunately didn't receive very much critical acclaim as he deserved to for making something new which bought back old filmmaking techniques of science fiction films such as Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey and Andrei Tarkovsky’s Solyaris. However, as far as Source Code is concerned, despite the fact it is a science fiction film like Moon, Duncan Jones goes somewhere slightly different and makes something that is more of a thriller than an action-science fiction film. Anyway, the filming was simply outstanding with fantastic cinematography, great art direction and brilliant visual effects and make-up. Duncan Jones, you are on a role so keep bringing us more films to enjoy time and time again!
Overall, Source Code is an absolutely amazing film that was just entertainment at its finest from start to finish and for that reason, it is one of the best films of 2011 already. I mean, no, Source Code is no blockbuster but it certainly is a film that I think could possibly be the most entertaining film of 2011 already and is one outstanding film to watch. If there is anything that Source Code has taught us, its taught us that anything can happen at any time; even when you are at your happiest moments and also that you cannot tell who is innocent and who isn't and vice versa especially in a calm and civilised environment. Hopefully there will be a sequel to this and hopefully Duncan Jones will be the director of it if it'll be made. In my opinion, it couldn't have been any better than it turned out to be.
9/10
