An unexpected surprise this Friday evening with the first trailer for Duncan Jones‘ sci-fi action-thriller “Source Code” finally being unveiled.
Despite being exposition-heavy with a story not exactly groundbreaking by synopsis alone, the trailer is full of intrigue and promises of a cerebral affair, likely helped by the array of acting talent in Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright and Michelle Monaghan supporting the suddenly believable action-star that is Jake Gyllenhaal. The film is also, of course, Jones’ follow up to 2009’s exceptional debut “Moon,” essentially a one-man show starring Sam Rockwell which wowed audiences on the festival circuit before developing a cult following.
“Source Code” centers on a soldier (Gyllenhaal), who is part of an experimental government program investigating a terrorist incident who finds himself in the body of an unknown commuter living and reliving a harrowing train bombing until he can find who is responsible for the attack. Along for the ride are Goodwin, a military liaison originally written as a male played by Farmiga; a train commuter and love interest for the solider named Christine played by Monaghan; and a scientist that’s part of the government program known as Rutledge portrayed by Wright. Here’s a new synopsis of the film but you can also check a more detailed one released at the recent AFM.
When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers 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 learns he’s 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 8 minutes of his life. With a second, much larger target threatening to kill millions in downtown Chicago, Colter re-lives the incident over and over again, gathering clues each time, until he can solve the mystery of who is behind the bombs and prevent the next attack. Filled with mind-boggling twists and heart-pounding suspense, Source Code is a smart action-thriller directed by Duncan Jones (Moon) also starring Michelle Monaghan (“Eagle Eye,” “Due Date”), Vera Farmiga (“Up in the Air,” “The Departed”), and Jeffrey Wright (“Quantum of Solace,” “Syriana”).
Thinking the story reads and feels like a rehash of other similar themed films? Don’t worry, our detailed review of the script by Ben Ripley (“Species III“) — which has since been reworked by Billy Ray (“State Of Play“) — definitely noted influences by “The Matrix,” “Groundhog Day” and even Tony Scott’s “Deja Vu” among others but also added that “it’s the mystery of exactly who Colter is, and why he’s been chosen for the Source Code program, that makes ‘Source Code’ such a gripping read, and hopefully, a watch.” Sounds and looks promising.
The film is due for release on April 15th through Summit Entertainment. [AppleTrailers]