Source Code Movie Review by Tony T.

 Many stereotype Sci-Fi as Star Trek conventions, social retardation and obsessed middle-aged men living in their parent’s attics. Yet, despite this stigma there are often Sci-fi films that manage to break the mould and are actually considered (whisper it) cool. From Star Wars through to the The Matrix, a good Sci-Fi film appears to become more than a gimmick – it almost becomes religion (hands up who registered as Jedi in the Census?). In recent years Marvel and DC may have ruled the roost of geek chic cinema but with the release of Inception last year Sci-Fi is back, It’s fresh and it’s time for the new generation to become obsessed.


So what better way to indoctrinate this new Sci-Fi revolution than with Source Code. Duncan Jones’ Sci-fi thriller may sound like a straight to DVD disaster but from the first scene it grabs you and does what all great Sci-fi – in fact all what great films do – it makes you think. Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes on a train. He has no idea how he arrived there, He does not recognise the woman he is with (Michelle Monaghan) or even his own reflection. Eight minutes later a bomb detonates killing everyone aboard and leaving Colter even more confused when he awakes strapped inside a strange metal pod. In essence Source Code is the bastard child of Quantum Leap and Deja Vu. There is even a cameo telephone performance by Sci-fi legend Scott Bakula star of the original Quantum Leap, Star Trek: Enterprise and possibly the worst Sci-Fi film ever – Netforce. Like Quantum Leap, Colter Stevens inhabits the body of a stranger and must attempt to uncover secrets before impending tragedy strikes.


Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Monaghan


The fractured timelines of Source Code build on the foundations of Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing but keep the plot moving. Each trip into the source code becomes shorter and focuses on different parts of the journey. This heightens the tension and makes the whodunnit aspect a little bit more interesting. There are a couple of gaping plot holes (a huge Sci-fi no-no) but generally the pace and focus of the story means these become minor quibbles. Whereas, the major flaw with Inception was a plot overladen with exposition and wooden characters; Source Code is different. Colter’s desire to not only find the bomber, but also solve his mysterious circumstances, drives the plot and allows the script writer to drip-feed information without the need for constant eye glazing exposition.


The real key to Source Code’s success though rests on Gyllenhaal. With Donnie Darko he brought a sense of darkness whilst retaining a thing missing from many leading men – Likeability. Then with Brokeback Mountain, Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger set tongues wagging (don’t blame me for your dirty minds!). Yet whereas, Ledger went on to legendary status with his turn as The Joker in The Dark Knight – Gyllenhaal flopped in Prince of Persia: Sands of time. With Source Code, Gyllenhaal recaptures his mojo. Yes, he spends a majority of film looking bewildered, punching strangers and dying more times than Kenny in South Park; but when he turns on the charm, he shows a charisma which sets him apart from the likes of Christian Bale and Keanu Reeves – who wouldn’t know a smile was if it was painted on with lipstick.


Science Fiction by definition derives stories from imagined technologies. So it comes as a refreshing surprise to see that, although the technological aspects are explained, they are not the sole focus of Source Code. It is the human aspect and cost which sets it apart from Deja-Vu and other Sci-fi bargain bin films out there. It may not be the most concise script but if Inception was Sci-fi porn then Source Code is Burlesque. It flirts and teases the audience with the promise of more revelations becoming infinitely more tantalising affair. If this is the new direction of Sci-fi then it might just be worth following.


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Scores 4 out of 5


A film that never forgets it’s Sci-fi roots but 2001:A Space Odyssey this ain’t. Put DVDs of Quantum Leap, Deja-vu and Speed into an oven and bake until the cheese melts away


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