Source Code (2011) Movie Review, Trailer and Poster

USA, France 2011
Director: Duncan Jones
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, Michael Arden, Cas Anvar
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: 11 March 2011 (USA)
Running Time: 1 hour 33 minutes

The Movie Review

Source Code was one of the most anticipated movies of May in Jakarta. And it's actually been a week now since I watched the picture, but the memory is still vivid and besides I can still see many cinemas are still showing this breathtaking movie. Source Code very likely would make you almost totally forget about time, it's emotional, sad, but in the same time, very very intriguing.

Source Code revolves around a young military man named Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) who is strapped tightly inside a small hi-tech closed pod/container. He is intently monitored by several officials outside the container supervised by a sympathetic female soldier, Captain Goodwin (Vera Farmiga). We see Colter being seemingly sent through time back to the


SOURCE CODE
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past. He's constantly sent only to a fast moving train full with people, although Colter doesn't have any clear idea where is he right now and what is that container made of.

But he does realize the important of this strange mission backed up with strange cutting edge technology created by Dr. Rutledge (Jeffrey Wright). That train is bound to be exploded and kill its passengers and Colter is assigned only to locate the bomb and investigate which one of the passengers is the terrorist. Because, since the explosion is already happen, his main duty is actually to investigate who put the bomb in the first place in order to prevent the second (much bigger) bomb from causing more disaster in this city of Chicago.

Every time Colter is sent to the train, he only has 8 minutes to complete his mission before the train explodes and when he fails, he would be sent back again. However, because Colter is always sent to the same time and at the same seat in front of a kind and pretty passenger named Christina (Michelle Monaghan). Colter tends to change his mission to save her, this is also due to Colter is not given fully information of this mission and his whereabouts. But no doubt Goodwin and Dr. Rutledge hides something of utmost important secret from Colter Stevens. What will happen in this mission? And what this container actually is? But who Colter Stevens really is?

Thrilling from beginning to the end, Source Code moves in a rapid pace leaving no time for us to do anything else. I love this type of movie, a movie that could truly make you hooked. I literally forget about time, the movie runs for one and a half hour, but I honestly feel it only lasts for 40 minutes. This is of course because the movie is awesome in its storytelling and probably because of the repeating/enhancing 8 minutes factor.

Aside form the excellent pace, storytelling and camerawork, the use of CGI is also well done. The acting is of course splendid, Jake Gyllenhaal is becoming more and more bigger star I think. He's definitely better suited as Colter in Source Code than as the too-cute Prince in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010). There are 3 scenes that I like the most, the artistic but sad scene of "everything is gonna be ok" said by Christina & a conversation scene between Colter and his father. The dialogue is also touching and makes us wonder about our living years. The 3rd scene that is the most amazing is laid out in the spoiler section below.

I do have big objection to some parts of this film. Well, only 2 thing actually. First of all, the over-the-top acting of Jeffrey Wright. As the already-a*shole character of Dr. Rutledge, Jeffrey Wright makes the personality soar high to a surfeit of annoyance, he's more like of a cartoon villain of cheap late nite TV show. While Source Code is all about serious aspect of human life. The 2nd one is the ending, you can read it below in spoiler section.

-- Start of Spoiler Possibility Alert --
Source Code is actually has got something to do with parallel universe and/or time travel, depending on your understanding. Which I suggest for you not to think of it very seriously. However this awesome movie does suffer from Hollywood-ending syndrome. Something that forces a movie to have a happy ending. But why not? Everyone loves a happy ending right?! But in Source Code, the ending really does suck. The movie should've stopped either when Capt. Goodwin does the Final move or when Colton and Christina kiss inside the train and the time freezes with everyone is seen laughing and having a good time together. This image is probably some of you have in mind during your final moment.
-- End of Spoiler Possibility Alert --

No wonder there were so many people in the cinema that night, even though me and my wife took on the latest show at 9 pm and it's on Tuesday night. The movie presents us a very absorbing storyline built upon a highly creative premise. The story moves steadily fast although it could be very confusing for some. Just pay attention to what the characters are saying. I won't call this as confusing as Matrix (999), because Source Code is both more easily digested and it is more emotional and even heroic. One thing for sure, Source Code is a must-see and even a must-have!

© iwan pranowo of Movielogy.com
posted: Wednesday, 25 May 2011 11:13 am