An Explosive, Thrilling & Extremely Entertaining Ride That Refuses To Slow Down From Start To Finish

Rating: Null/10 (14 August 2016)

An explosively paced, cleverly narrated & expertly executed sci-fi extravaganza that's intriguing, exciting & engaging, and packs in just about enough twists n turns to keep its viewers around for the majority of its runtime, Source Code is a fascinating mix of kinetic direction, smart screenplay, energetic camera-work, tight editing & apt performances, and is one of the most rewarding films of its year.
Set in the near future, the story of Source Code follows a US Army captain who inexplicably finds himself aboard a commuter train which explodes only minutes later. Regaining consciousness in a pod this time, he learns that he's a part of an experimental government program that allows him to relive the final 8 minutes of a victim's life repeatedly, and is tasked to find the person responsible for the bombing.
Ingeniously directed by Duncan Jones in what's only his sophomore effort, Source Code invites its viewers to take part & solve the mystery within the 8 minutes window again n again, and is another winning entry in the career of this promising talent. The plot structure is slightly perplexing but the intuitive manner in which Jones presents it to the audience allows them to invest in its premise and keeps them interested till the very end.
Jake Gyllenhaal chips in with a highly compelling performance and single-handedly steers the film past the finish line. Michelle Monaghan & Vera Fermiga also contribute with fine supporting work but their characters aren't as well-defined as Gyllenhaal's. The film gains momentum early in the story and, thanks to its dynamic camera-work & skillful editing, keeps its moments tense & thrilling for the remainder of its runtime.
On an overall scale, Source Code is an intelligently crafted brain-teaser that delivers a healthy dose of quality entertainment, remains intensely gripping throughout its runtime, and is a welcome example of its genre that's sharp, riveting & satisfying on more levels than one. The only glaring issue I have with it is that it steps over what would've been an ideal conclusion and chooses to finish on a hopeful note. Nevertheless, Source Code is a thrilling ride that refuses to slow down until it reaches its final destination, and comes definitely recommended.