By Robbie Jones
Moon, in my opinion, is one of the best Sci-Fi films of all time. It’s original, well acted, well scripted, and I find it very gripping. The only problem with a film like Moon is that it’s one of those films that’s so good you come under the impression that the director could do no wrong. However, most of the time they end up making stinkers. Luckily, this was not the case for Duncan Jones. Moon was his first movie, replacing outer space with a train and Sam Rockwell with Jake Gyllenhaal, Jones then brought us Source Code.
Moon, in my opinion, is one of the best Sci-Fi films of all time. It’s original, well acted, well scripted, and I find it very gripping. The only problem with a film like Moon is that it’s one of those films that’s so good you come under the impression that the director could do no wrong. However, most of the time they end up making stinkers. Luckily, this was not the case for Duncan Jones. Moon was his first movie, replacing outer space with a train and Sam Rockwell with Jake Gyllenhaal, Jones then brought us Source Code.
Released in 2011, the film stars Gyllenhaal as Colter Stevens, a man who wakes up on a Chicago commuter train next to a woman named Christina (Michelle Monaghan). Colter has absolutely no idea what’s going on; the last thing he remembers is flying in Afghanistan under enemy fire. He doesn’t know where he is, he doesn’t know who Christina is, and he doesn’t know the name she calls him. Eight minutes later, and the train blows. When he wakes up, Colter finds out that he has been selected for a mission: Colter is placed into the last 8 minutes of the life of Sean Fentress, a man who died in that explosion, and is sent back again and again until he can find the bomber.
Does that sound familiar? If it does, I’m guessing you’re a fan of the classic Sci-Fi show Quantum Leap, which Duncan Jones openly admit was a huge influence on the film. Quantum Leap revolved around a quantum physicist from the near future who becomes lost in time after a time travelling experiment, and temporarily takes over the bodies of other people to put right what went wrong. In fact, Scott Bakula, the star of the show, has a cameo in the film and utters his catchphrase from the show, “Oh boy!”
Now I won’t lie: When I watched this, I spent the first 30 minutes thinking “This is bullshit”. However, once I finally began to understand everything that was happening, I started to really enjoy it.
Does that sound familiar? If it does, I’m guessing you’re a fan of the classic Sci-Fi show Quantum Leap, which Duncan Jones openly admit was a huge influence on the film. Quantum Leap revolved around a quantum physicist from the near future who becomes lost in time after a time travelling experiment, and temporarily takes over the bodies of other people to put right what went wrong. In fact, Scott Bakula, the star of the show, has a cameo in the film and utters his catchphrase from the show, “Oh boy!”
Now I won’t lie: When I watched this, I spent the first 30 minutes thinking “This is bullshit”. However, once I finally began to understand everything that was happening, I started to really enjoy it.
The film is smart; it can be complicated but eventually will make sense. It doesn’t leave anything untouched. The concept of the film is one I find to be very interesting, with many twists along the way. Now, let’s get to performances. Jake Gyllenhaal is his usual self: Not brilliant, not crap, but just a decent performance. Michelle Monaghan is the better of the two; her confusion towards her friend’s sudden change is quite believable. Still, I think the best performance in the film comes from Vera Farmiga, who plays Colleen Goodwin, an Air Force captain who aids Colter in his search for the bomber, along with Source Code creator Dr. Rutledge (Jeffrey Wright). She shows genuine concern and sympathy for Colter, and is the only one who understands the confusion he experiences and the things he needs to find out on this ordeal.
My only complaint is the film’s ending. Whilst they could’ve closed on a great shot of Colter and Christina, they chose to add an extra 5 minutes of absolutely pointless ending details. The film would’ve been fine without that last little bit. But still, it’s only a minor complaint.
Overall, with its interesting concept and decent cast, Source Code is an hour and a half of enjoyable Sci-Fi fun, yet retains its seriousness all throughout.
Watch Source Code Friday 10th May on Film4 (UK only) at 21:00. Let us know what you think of it in the comments below!
My only complaint is the film’s ending. Whilst they could’ve closed on a great shot of Colter and Christina, they chose to add an extra 5 minutes of absolutely pointless ending details. The film would’ve been fine without that last little bit. But still, it’s only a minor complaint.
Overall, with its interesting concept and decent cast, Source Code is an hour and a half of enjoyable Sci-Fi fun, yet retains its seriousness all throughout.
Watch Source Code Friday 10th May on Film4 (UK only) at 21:00. Let us know what you think of it in the comments below!
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