Ya summer session at my school is over so I finally have time to watch more movies and write a few reviews. So I decided to start my movie watching with Duncan Jones newest movie Source Code. I am going to break it down into all the separate parts of the film and break down each one. So without anymore waiting here is the review.
Story: The story begins with a disoriented Jake Gyllenhaal, in the leading role as Captain Colter Stevens, on a train he does not remember getting on. We are introduced to one of the supporting characters here in Christina Warren, played by Michelle Monaghan, who treats Captain Stevens as if they have known one another for quite sometime but he has no idea who she is. Before we get to much more insight an explosion happens and Captain Stevens wakes up in some unknown pod again unaware of how he got there only remembering he should be somewhere in Afghanistan. Here we are introduced to Colleen Goodwin, played by Vera Farmiga, who briefly reveals what is going on that Captain Stevens is being sent in to this train to find a bomb placed on the train and the person who put it there. We are finally let in to the true purpose later on by Dr. Rutledge, played by Jeffrey Wright who explains that Stevens is being sent back in time to find the bomber to stop a future bomb from happening. One thing Source Code manages to do is have quite an original story that manages to have many twists and turns throughout its short running time, only about an hour and a half. The story moves along rather quick to but this shows how well Jones manages to keep the pacing going as the action, suspense, and emotions never let up. Duncan Jones shows that he is not just a one hit wonder and manages to show that a toned down number of sets can still make for grand movies. It almost seems like a futuristic Murder On the Orient Express as all the characters are suspect. A definite plus is how its better written and more intelligent than most action movies today that rely on explosions and terrible one liners *cough Michael Bay *cough
Acting: The cast is great as the four main actors are great for their roles. We have Jake Gylenhaal as the tough intelligent but always questioning war hero trying to find out the truth, Michelle Monaghan as the intelligent but caring love interest, Vera Farmiga as the sympathetic technician trapped between her job and what is right, and Jeffery Wright as the driven but heartless doctor wanting to prove his work. Jones really picked a great cast as even all the minor supporting characters all add their two cents to the story.
Technical Aspects: Jones has managed to become quite good as a director as I think he is beginning to become more and more experienced with each movie. The movie was shot well and had great action editing that knew when to slow down to build emotion or speed up for the action. Also, the special effects were not to bad either as the explosion scenes were really quite good, slow motion explosions are awesome no matter what. One scene that was pretty interesting and well shot was a one shot no cut away of Captain Stevens jumping from the train and rolling on train platform. There was obvious special effects but it was impressive as a shot nonetheless.
Any Issues?: To be honest not many as the movie as an original action movie was quite enjoyable and entertaining except for one part and that being the ending. I obviously will not ruin the ending but for those who have seen the movie will understand. The ending really did not make sense with the rest of the movie as a whole as throughout the whole movie Source Code's science is being explained by Jeffrey Wright's character and in the end I feel like none of it mattered. It essentially left me a tad bit frustrated and wanting to call foul. It did not add up with what was being explained throughout the whole movie and I have my theories on what it meant but still think that it doesnt add up. Besides that however the rest of the movie was quite good.
Verdict: An enjoyable original action movie that still remains grand even with its toned down amount of sets and huge action sequences. Good cast, camera work and special effects make the experience better, even if the ending essentially left this reviewer frustrated. Still would recommend it for a fun action movie night that is more intelligent than most of the garbage action movies that come out nowadays.
4 out of 5
Hope you enjoyed the review, until next time. -Alex
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