Source Code

Think of it as a Sci Fi Groundhog Day, but don't ever think Jake is cooler than Bill Murray.

Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Colter Stevens - a helicopter pilot shot down in Afghanistan who wakes up in the body of another man riding a Chicago bound train with a sexy gal pal, Christina (Michelle "I'd ride a train with her any day" Monaghan). Stevens quickly discovers that train was blown up by a terrorist, and he is part of a mysterious mission where he must go back in time to the same 8 minutes before the attack over and over again until he learns who was behind it. While he is not exactly sure what this is all about, according to his handler, Colleen (Vera Farmiga), Stevens's efforts will stop another attack that takes place later in the day.

Will Stevens be able to find the terrorist?

Should he stop the train attack?

Will the mission be compromised when he starts to enjoy the company of Christina?

Is he in danger?

Source Code is a good thriller that has some holes only because writer Ben Ripley and director Duncan Jones stop focusing on the thrills and clumsily try to graft on a love story.

When we are on that train with Stevens, Source Code enraptures the audience as we look for clues, suspect the various passengers and react in shock each time the mission fails. Farmiga magnificently adds a slightly sinister feel to the experience as we wonder why Colleen is so controlling, who she really works for, what they want from Stevens, and why she constantly is conferring with Dr. Rutledge (Jeffrey Wright, who adds a completely sinister feel to it all).

Then, Gyllenhaal brings some great intensity to Source Code. We are wrapped up in the situation because he is. Gyllenhaal makes us feel the frustration, anger, and heartbreak Stevens goes through as he attempts to makes sense of it all. The audience can't help but put themselves in his place and question what we would do.

Sadly, Ripley and Jones don't stay on track. At times, the train is the main story. Then, it's all about Stevens and his attempts to connect with father. Then, it's some sort of love story as Stevens falls for Christina, but it's a phony love story since he only knows her from each 8 minute segment of time he relives over and over again. He doesn't get to know her. Stevens only wants to be with her because she's hot. It's hard to believe he would take the huge risks he does because she's hot and that excites his pants, instead of having a great and true bond.

Source Code gets too philosophical towards the end and Jones should have picked an ending instead of going on and on and on.

Source Code is rated PG-13 for some violence including disturbing images, and for language.