Mini Review: Source Code

After viewing the Duncan Jones sci-fi/thriller “Source Code,” I’m fairly certain that Hollywood is attempting to compensate for mindless action flicks, by making ludicrously complex and confusing sci-fi movies like this one.

While the premise of a lone soldier being forced to travel back in time for 8 minutes at a clip sounds promising, the way that the tale is told, does not allow you to get emotionally invested in the characters.

As he did with his debut film “Moon,” Jones adeptly handles themes of isolation, and makes the technology in his world believable.  However the story written by Ben Ripley, makes you think more about how time travel works, than why Gyllenhaal’s character is so obsessed with trying to set things right.  This is because the explanation for time travel is murky at best, leaving room for plenty of questions.

Where “Source Code” ultimately fails, is that it overly relies on its confusing nature as a device to propel the plot, instead of using characters to get you interested in the scientific elements involved.  Perhaps the filmmakers should have been less concerned about confusing us with questions, and more focused on making us invested in the leading man himself.

My Grade: C