Movie Review: Source Code

Source Code is a story about a solider who wakes up in another man’s body with a mission to find a bomb and bomber on a train before it explodes and leads to another explosion in Chicago. Captain Colter Stevens has only 8 minutes to locate the bomb before his mind is sent back into his body, and to repeat those 8 minutes until his mission is complete. Through the use of quantum mechanics, the government has made this mind and time jump possible and has employed Captain Stevens as a counter terrorism agent.

Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Captain Stevens and basically owns the role as one of his best roles since Brokeback Mountain. Michelle Monaghan stars as Christina Warren, an innocent victim on the train who is friends with the person Captain Stevens inhabits during his jumps. The movie also stars Vera Farmiga as Goodwin, Stevens’ aid in learning his mission, and Jeffery Wright as Dr Rutledge, the scientist behind the “Source Code” program. 

While the movie itself is very intriguing and captivating, the science behind the movie is a bit of a stretch of the imagination. The realism of the movie isn’t why you should see this movie. The reason to see it is for the overall story, a solider trying to change the past and save lives. Let us all remember that one of the most successful television series with a science fiction background was Quantum Leap. And this is what Source Code is similar to in premise.

There isn’t much that can be said about Source Code without giving away the twists and turns that happen throughout the movie. The movie will hold the audience easily just from the plight that Captain Stevens goes through trying to solve the mystery of what he is going through and how to save the people on the train. The effects, editing, cast, and director are all superb and the audience should expect no less given the talent brought together to create this movie.

My only real problem with the movie is the question of how could the body Captain Stevens inhabits know as much detail as he does on and off the train? Once you are able to get past that question, and see the movie for the human nature story that it is meant to be, then you’ll be able to enjoy the movie.

I'm not sure I will see this movie again, knowing what all happens and can no longer be surprised by the twists. Though, I do recommend giving this movie at least one watch just so you will be able to enjoy it as much as I did.