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Showing posts with label Michael Arden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Arden. Show all posts

Saturday, July 30, 2011

MOVIE REVIEW: SOURCE CODE

ON DVD/BLURAY

SOURCE CODE



Jake Gyllenhaal headlines this sci-fi time-travel thriller directed by Moon's Duncan Jones from a script by Ben Ripley and Billy Ray. A bomb explodes on a Chicago train, derailing the locomotive and killing hundreds. In an attempt to identify the bomber and prevent another, larger attack on downtown Chicago, Captain Colter Stevens (Gyllenhaal) agrees to take part in a clandestine government experiment dubbed "Source Code," which allows him to enter the body of a male passenger during the eight minutes before the man is killed. But during his first trip back, Capt. Stevens fails to gather enough clues to prevent the second attack. With time quickly running out, he repeats the mission ad nauseam in a desperate race to head off one of the most deadly terrorist attacks ever to take place on American soil. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Duncan Jones

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

Release Date: Apr 01, 2011

Rated PG-13 for Some violence including disturbing images, and for language

Runtime: 1 hr. 33 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Duncan Jones is an interesting filmmaker to say the least; with Moon he crafted a perfectly claustrophobic mind bending meditation on freewill. With Source Code he broaches the same subject matter from a different point of view, various actually. Using a conceit that’d be familiar to any Star Trek or comic book nerd, alternate realties/multi-verse, Jones creates an impressively engaging Sci-fi tome that has headier themes going on in the background. Jones finds a nice balance by never having these themes overpower his film allowing viewers to enjoy it simply as a thriller with a Sci-fi slant. Jones has a wonderful eye for his film and here his talent is readily apparent as he makes the same scenes interesting throughout even with the amount of repetition. Jake Gyllenhaal is tasked with carrying the film and he does an admirable job. His character is manic, confused and occasionally slightly unhinged. The character serves as a good stand in for the audience as they get their footing with the story and concept. Sadly, the rest of the cast is given very little to do. Michelle Monaghan does what she can with her character and she does bring a nice sincerity to her but it can only be developed so far in the confines of the story. Vera Farmiga is stuck being a talking head on a video screen for the better part of the film. Jeffrey Wright gives one of his hammiest performances in memory, he plays his character in such a stereotypical fashion that it’s kind of distracting, very strange choice for a talented actor. Source Code does have a plot holes throughout and leaves lingering questions even after the film closes. Regardless, this hybrid of Groundhog Day and Johnny Got His Gun will please any Sci-fi fan.

B


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