RELEASING: Summit Entertainment

CREW: Director – Duncan Jones; Screenplay – Ben Ripley; Producers - Philippe Rousselet, Mark Gordon, & Jordan Wynn; Cinematography - Don Burgess, ASC; Score – Chris Bacon; Editor - Paul Hirsch, A.C.E.; Production Design - Barry Chusid; Costume Design - Renee April; Visual Effects Supervisor - Louis Morin; Sound Design - Tom Bellfort; Visual Effects Companies - Modus Fx, Moving Picture Company, Oblique FX, & Rodeo FX.

CAST: Colter Stevens… JAKE GYLLENHAAL; Christina Warren… MICHELLE MONAGHAN; Colleen Goodwin… VERA FARMIGA; Dr. Rutledge… JEFFREY WRIGHT; Derek Frost… MICHAEL ARDEN; Hazmi… CAS ANVAR; Max Denoff… RUSSELL PETERS; George Troxel… BRENT SKAGFORD; Gold Watch Executive… CRAIG THOMAS; Conductor… GORDON MASTEN.

SYNOPSIS: Decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens (GYLLENHAAL) awakens in the body of an unknown man. It is soon revealed to him that he’s part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. In an assignment unlike any he’s ever known, he discovers that he has been co-opted to be part of a government experiment called the “Source Code,” a program that enables him to cross over into another man's identity in the last eight minutes of his life. The bomber has threatened to detonate a second, much larger device and is threatening to kill millions in downtown Chicago, The clock is ticking as Colter continues to re-live the incident over and over again, gathering clues each time, until he can solve the mystery of who is behind the bombs and hopefully prevent the next attack.

REVIEW: Fresh from his 2009 critically acclaimed film, “Moon,” director Duncan Jones returns with another astounding venture into the realm of science fiction, SOURCE CODE, one of the best genre tales of its kind that wasn’t written by Phillip K. Dick.

I find that shocking, not because of Jones’ involvement in the film, but writer Ben Ripley’s previous credits. They include “Species III,” “Species: The Awakening,” which were direct to video releases, and the television movie “The Watch.” I’ve seen all three and am not a fan. What Ripley achieves with SOURCE CODE is nothing short of divine inspiration.

At the “source” of this tale is a main character who must keep repeating a period in time until he uncovers its secret, similar to “Ground Hog Day.” Bill Murray’s character is destined to repeat a day – 24 hours – but Jake Gyllenhaal’s Colter Stevens only repeats eight minutes. Plus the stakes are higher as there is an impending future event outside those eight minutes. If he uncovers that mystery he can prevent those future deadly consequences.

In SOURCE CODE Duncan and Ripley get to play with the theme of reality. Gyllenhaal’s Stevens needs to deal with who he is and who he is within the confines of those eight minutes. The eight minutes begins to become his reality and he begins to question what effect his actions can have on the future. As the layers are peeled back dark secrets kept from Stevens emerge. As they spin out some of the science behind the fiction the fabric of reality is tested. Stevens is also dealing with a personal emotional crisis that is compounded by the relationship he begins to develop with Christina Warren. It all comes together in an emotionally compelling climax that is propelled by the action afforded the plot by the science fictions elements.

Jones has a stellar ensemble cast that sells the emotional intensity of the drama. The narrative’s structure places the film’s success on the shoulders of his lead actor, Jack Gyllenhaal. Much like Sam Rockwell’s performance in “Moon,” SOURCE CODE is a single character’s journey to enlightenment and self awareness. Similar to George Orr in “The Lathe of Heaven,” Stevens’ salvation will impact all of humanity.

In contrast to “Moon,” Jones gets to work with more action and visual effects in SOURCE CODE. Jones’ direction feels like a marriage of directorial styles between John Badham and Alfred Hitchcock as he balances action, suspense, and mystery. The director orchestrates performances, narrative, and the visual elements of SOURCE CODE to deliver an relentless thrill ride. Jones continues to prove that he has a knack for delivering exceptional films in the science fiction genre and I eagerly await his next film.

SOURCE CODE official website – www.enterthesourcecode.com

**Based on the regular $13.00 ticket prices at a Manhattan Theater.