Smart, fast-moving and surprisingly warm-hearted

Rating: 8/10 (25 February 2012)

I liked director Duncan Jones' earlier movie Moon, which was a throwback to those thoughtful early 70s sci-movies. And this skilfully crafted follow-up works just as well. It is, of course, reminiscent of Quantum Leap, Mememto and Groundhog Day; but it's how the story is told and the little details that make this a superior work.
I suppose it's a bit like a clever B movie of yesteryear; running just 89 minutes, Jones doesn't waste a second of screen time (and how many directors avoid that pitfall these days?) delivering an engrossing and smart entertainment.
Jake Gyllenhaal gives a good performance in the lead role and he's ably supported by Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga. Some of of the other support acting is a little weak, but this isn't a major concern. I'm not going to mention any plot twists, but the story basically concerns Gyllenhall's attempt to uncover the identity of a bomber on a Chicago-bound train - except in this case he's actually using a very special kind of time-travel - one that can't change history. I'm deliberately being a little misleading here so not to spoil things.
I'm still slightly puzzled by the text message sent to Goodwin at the end of the film, i.e. how can ol' Jake actually do it given what's been told to us before. But maybe I just need to watch it again.
Source Code is an entertaining sci-fi thriller with a heart, and it looks good, too.