Plot: Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) is sent back in time to a bombing incident on a train so he can catch the terrorist. He does not catch the terrorist first try, and he has to do it over and over Groundhog Day style. Eventually we learn that he is working on a military research project. His contact at headquarters is Captain Collen Goodwin (Vera Farmiga,) and most of the dialog is between them over a grainy TV.
On the doomed train, Colter eventually meets the passengers including cuty Christina (Michelle Monaghan) whom he gradually falls for.
Review: Source Code's real strength are the three main actors, Gyllenhaal, Farmiga and Monaghan. Gyllenhaal plays with intensity and a range of emotion unlike many action stars. I loved the awkwardness that Farmiga shows as she explains to Colter what he needs to do; good enough for an Oscar nomination. Monaghan is very likable and does good facial acting.
The repeated scenes are not boringly repetitive unlike similar movies, and director Jones compresses the trips back to keep the story moving.
At the end the movie engages the question whether Colter has any rights -- like the movie RoboCop, the song Iron Man, or countless Star Trek Next Generation episodes.
The movie was enjoyable but not super-fun to watch. It was easy to relate to the peril Coulter was in.
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Vera Farmiga, Michelle Monaghan
Directed by: Duncan Jones
Rating: 3.0 stars; probably only deserves 2.5, but why not?
More: Nice shots of Chicago
