Source Code

'Source Code' is odd. But a good odd, an odd that I actually really appreciate in this day and age where it seems like at least 60% of the movies that are released are re-makes, re-interpretations or out and out sequels. While there are little bits of different stories (particularly 'Grounhog Day' with hints of 'Inception') this story feels new and unique, and on top of all that it's very well done.

I think what I appreciate most about this movie is that it doesn't pander to the lowest common denominator; it assumes that its' audience is intelligent enough to comprehend it's vaguely complicated plot. Understanding how Capt. Colter Stevens [Jake Gyllenhaal] is reliving the last 8 minutes is reliving another man's life is not as important as understanding the whys and hows of his task. We're given a scientific explanation by the head of the Source Code program [Jeffrey Wright] that includes a little biology and some quantum physics, with a little parallel universe thrown in, but honestly, I really feel that it's all secondary, although it was a nice touch to have Colter throw the explanation back, showing he gets it and that he isn't just some dumb soldier. This might be a plot that wouldn't have worked 4 or 5 years ago, but with a movie-going audience familiar with TV shows like 'Lost' and 'Fringe' and movies like 'Inception' there's no need explain the science too much and let us just get on with the action.

While there is plenty of action in 'Source Code' it also, surprisingly, has its fair share of comedic moments.[with a fair few provided by Canadian funnyman Russell Peteres!] The first few times he goes through the last 8 minutes of teacher Sean Fentriss' life are fairly funny. [this was the moment that mostly reminded me of 'Groundhog Day'] At first he's just surprised and then he thinks it's a simulation, which causes him to act like a bit of a fool. Being in a pretty empty theatre and laughing as he tries to convince his fellow travelers that they're not real made me feel foolish myself, but that's the way matinees are sometimes. But as he finally realises that all the people, especially the lovely Christine who sits across from him, on this train are indeed real and actually now deceased he starts to take his task seriously. His task is to find a bomb and then the bomber that is on the doomed train, to stop a second bomb from going off later on in the day, not an easy task to do in 8 minutes. However, after many attempts and dying in an explosion over and over again finding the bomber seems almost anticlimactic.

The real test comes as Colter decides that he needs to save the people on the train-even if they're already dead. I found the end to be pretty cut and dry, but I've heard from a few people who saw 'Source Code' and say that it sparked some debates, always a good sign in my books.

On top of a great story this movie was excellently acted by all. Gyllenhaal is always strong in my eyes, whether it's in indie flicks or big blockbusters. The ladies of the film, Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farigma are also wonderful, both shine in very different ways opposite their strong leading man. I've been a Farigma fan since she was in the little watched, Hallmark produced, Snow White [I have an extreme weakness for Hallmark miniseries] and more recently in 'The Departed' and 'Up in the Air'. She's no less fantastic in this film, although it was nice the see a more vulnerable performance from her.

To finish up I'd like to say that I'd like to see more movies like this, and I hope that other studios take note that maybe it's time to be more original. One last thing, there are a bunch of movies that I'm looking forward to seeing coming out on Friday, and I'd love a little help deciding which one I should see on Monday, so vote on that poll up on the right!