This mildly interesting sci-fi thriller directed by Duncan Jones (the son of David and Angela Bowie for those who are into trivia) concerns itself with a soldier participating in a secret military program called Source Code which allows a person’s consciousness to be sent back in time. A commuter train has exploded in Chicago and in an effort to find the bomber—who has planted a larger “dirty bomb” in the downtown area—Colter Stevens (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) must relive the last eight minutes of life of one Sean Fentress who was killed in the train explosion. As Sean, it is his duty to explore the train, find the bomb, search for clues, and ultimately discover the identity of the bomber.
We don’t fully understand how such a thing is done, getting only a brief expository monologue from the physicist inventor of Source Code played by Geoffrey Wright (whose marvelous talents seem to be wasted here). A reference to quantum physics and leftover brain signatures are woven into a kind of fuzzy semi-science/ semi-metaphysical equation. The real world mechanics may be shaky, but that’s okay. In films, we are routinely asked to believe things that have little plausibility… and I buy them anyhow. It is one of those things that you simply have to just go along with.
Once you are on board with the premise though, the film zips along nicely. The story is compelling and fast paced. In the end, it might be a little too fast paced. We get a happy ending, thankfully—this type of film can’t get too dark—but it feels like it came a little too easily.
But who knows… I am almost done reading physicist Brian Greene’s most recent book THE HIDDEN REALITY: PARALLEL UNIVERSES AND THE DEEP LAWS OF THE COSMOS, and the factual information in that book could eventually bear out the unexplained quantum physics ideas and the notion of parallel universes that we encounter in this film.
The film looks good with some very nice special effects and the supporting cast are just fine. Vera Farmiga, whom I loved in “Up In The Air” with George Clooney, is great and Michelle Monaghan is sweet as Gyllenhaal’s love interest.
Recommend? Sure, for some entertainment that also has a bit of brain to it.
P.S.
This is the second film directed by Duncan Jones. His first, which he also co-wrote, was “Moon” starring the highly underrated Sam Rockwell. I will definitely recommend the haunting, intelligent, and thought-provoking “Moon.”
http://www.enterthesourcecode.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment