Source Code

Release Date: Apr 01, 2011 

Runtime: 1 hr. 33 min. 

Director: Duncan Jones 

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, Michael Arden.

These days, it’s a rarity to see an action thriller that comes equipped with poignancy, let alone unpredictability. But Duncan Jones’ sophomore feature does just that. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Captain Colter Stevens, an army helicopter pilot who’s been commissioned to undergo an enigmatic military program called the ‘Source Code.’ Under the constraints of 8 minutes at a time, he must identify the bomber of a train before the next imminent attack occurs. In a manner of "Déjà Vu" and "The Butterfly Effect," Stevens relives each time-frame with mixed intentions and different outcomes. But where it could have verged on redundancy, the film prevails in keeping each sequence unanticipated and new. With every transmission, the intensity surmounts, as it edges closer to the predetermined catastrophe. Aside from credible acting and palpable suspense, the emotional link between the characters gives substance that further enhances the story and cultivates the mindset. However, if there is one error that could have been averted, it's the last 8 minutes that seem more like an afterthought, rather than a formulated ending. The conclusion seems feeble and standard in nature compared to the smart script that preceded it. Nevertheless, "Source Code" keeps the pulse racing and the brain buzzing. Look out for a surprise cameo, as well, that'll have you grinning.

Rating: 4 stars