Source Code

Source Code

Year: 2011

Director: Duncan Jones

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga

In My Own Words

Jake Gyllenhaal is in the position that many, many actors would love to be in. How many actors are typecast in a particular role and can’t seem to break that ice? Gyllenhaal doesn’t have that problem at this stage in his career. It must be a great feeling to know that you can do any genre and any role you feel like, while others feel like they cannot venture outside the roles they are known for as it is too much of a risk, and for fear that nobody will want to see them in these roles. Let’s look at his last few roles. There is of course his role in “Source Code”, which is an action thriller and his role before which was in the romantic comedy, “Love And Other Drugs”. The lead role in Disney’s action adventure fantasy, “Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time” and the brother of a troubled American soldier in the drama, “Brothers”. He has been acclaimed for each one of these roles. He has done many other different roles over his 20 year career. He is a lucky man to have so much freedom with his choice of roles, he will never get bored of what he does as long as he is able to do so many different roles. Well, at least we hope not!

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review

“Source Code” is the breath of fresh air that the action thriller genre has been waiting for. 2011 has not bought anything new and surprising to the table for the action thriller genre until now. “Source Code” resembles a cross between an Alfred Hitchcock film and “Groundhog Day”, a combination which, thanks to the creative choices of Duncan Jones, works and works well. There is suspense from the word go and surprises along the way with impressive special effects, the exact elements which make up a successful action thriller.

Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up on a commuter train heading towards the city of Chicago in a body which isn’t his own and without any recollection of how he got there. He is accompanied by Christina (Michelle Monoghan), who believes he is teacher, Sean Fentress. While Stevens is trying to figure out who he is, the train which he is on unexpectedly blows up, and he then finds that he is part of a project in which he is inserted into Sean Fentress’ body in 8 minute intervals to find out who planted the bomb on the Chicago train. Although the main object of the source code is to find the bomber, Stevens has different objectives in his mind.

If Hitchcock was alive and making films today, there is no doubt that “Source Code” would be a film he would make. The creepy music in the opening scene with a montage of trains is something which would have just been typical of a Hitchcock film, as well as the psychedelic images that link reality and the source code. While the images are reminiscent of Hitchcock and his film making, the story is completely original. Yes, it does have the déjà vu aspect of “Groundhog Day”, but it has a completely different story and is definitely well written. The “who done it” may not be too surprising to some, but there are other psychological twists and turns which keep the audience on the edge of their seats and guessing. The musical score and images all add to the overall intensity and suspense of the film.

Jake Gyllenhaal once again proves that he can do any role he wishes with putting in a great performance as the once helicopter pilot who is confused and frustrated with his situation. As well as there being the moments of intensity in his performance, there is also surprising emotional moments which show his acting versatility. The film revolves around him and he once again shows how he can hold his own as the lead star with perfect characterization and character-audience relationship. Michelle Monaghan is sweet as Christina, but there is no real substance to her role. There is really no risk involved in this role or any character development. Vera Farmiga is more impressive than Monaghan, but it is still not a ground breaking role. The decisions which should be emotional ones do not seem so. It is Gyllenhaal who is the main star and the one who, rightly so, makes the biggest impact in the film.

“Source Code” is a very entertaining and intriguing film. It keeps the audience’s full attention from the beginning to the end and is something new and not in the trend of Hollywood action thrillers.

8/10

Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time

Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time
Year: 2010
Director: Mike Newell
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley

In My Own Words
A weekend away from reality is a great thing, even if it is raining. I don’t mind it raining though. I can still relax rain, hail or shine if I am away from home, and it gives me a chance to check out a new cinema! So my fiancé and I ventured half an hour up the highway to check out “Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time” at the Roxy Cinemas at Nowra. Now I love going to new cinemas when I’m away. I know it isn’t the typical activity one would enjoy when they go on a holiday, but there are so many different types of cinema complexes out there. For example, the Roxy was a great little surprise for me. The outside looks like an old cinema, but the inside was lovely. It had the big red curtains and two Roman statues on each side and Roman hangings on the walls. I don’t think Nowra has got much to do with Roman times, but it was great that the cinema had so much character to it. I feel that my local cinema too has a lot of character, not in the same way that Nowra does, but you definitely feel the difference between this cinema and others. The multiplexes usually don’t have the same character to them, as they tend to reflect each other. Yet the independent cinemas are not independent’s for no reason. They vary from each other and its treat going and checking out how their decor and architecture. Next time you go to the cinema, take a look around and think about what makes the cinema you are in special.

Another thing I love is when a highly anticipated film also turns out to be a good film. It doesn’t happen quite as often as it should. In fact, I think the only film Movie Critical has reviewed thus far that was highly anticipated blockbuster and was actually a decent film was “Avatar”. Oh I lie, “Alice In Wonderland” as well. “Prince Of Persia: The Sands of Time” thankfully turns that around. A blockbuster that has been advertised for months and a movie we come not to expect too much of because we know how it feels to look forward to a movie and be disappointed. It’s a great feeling to watch a film and it be better than what you thought it would be. I really was not bothered with the release of “Prince Of Persia” at all because I’m so used to being disappointed by blockbusters, but I was pleasantly surprised.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
“Look what we can do everybody!”

That is what Disney might as well being saying with the first 15 minutes of “Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time”. Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer films have always been good at pulling everything they have together to make a movie and showing to the world what they have. However, Disney have also always been good at making a good film, and this is exactly what they have done. Although sometimes looking like a three way cross between “ Lord Of The Rings”, “Pirates Of The Caribbean” and “The Mummy”, this film has got everything to make it an enjoyable adventure flick. Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) is taken into the royal palace when he is a young boy and raised as a prince. After ambushing the city of Alamut, he is wrongly accused of killing his father and flees with the beautiful princess of Alamut, Princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton).It is then that he discovers the secrets of the mysterious dagger which Tamina carries, the dagger which has the ability to release the sands of time. A quest to clear his name turns out to be a quest to stop the dagger falling into the wrong hands for Dastan.

First and foremost, it is great to finally see an action/ adventure film with a solid plot, especially one which is based on a video game. Video games are a hard one to make a film out of because the game doesn’t give too much of a background story and just rely on action. So more often than not, this action aspect is the main feature of the big screen version and the story is weak. This isn’t the case with “Prince Of Persia”. Sure there is a great deal of action, but the story does not suffer as a result. The story is well scripted and well executed on the big screen. There are definitely clever twists and turns and there is suspense over the anticipation of what will happen at the end. The action scenes and stunts are spectacular, as are the visuals. The only criticism is that as spectacular as the cities in this film can look, at times they can also look very much like cardboard sets. Very nice cardboard sets at that though. This is not all the time, but at particular moments throughout the film. The CGI is also amazing in particular scenes, but in other scenes just looks very computerised.

Jake Gyllenhaal, is there anything this man cannot do? In his first real action role, he does extremely well. He definitely shows his versatility as an actor, as not many actors can pull off a dysfunctional teenager, a gay cowboy and a courageous action hero. Gemma Arterton is definitely better in this role than in her similar role in the also recently released, “Clash Of The Titans”. She plays with far more character, although at some times is guilty of over acting. The screen chemistry of her and Gyllenhaal is definitely there and there is plenty of emotion between the two. Ben Kingsley is great in his role and defiantly creates a relationship with the audience, be it good or bad.

“Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time” is an absolute treat. It is definitely the best adventure film we have seen so far this year and lives up to its expectations. Not only action and video game fans will enjoy this movie, as there is something for everyone. Great plot, characters, suspense and emotion. Well done Disney, you have done it again!
7.5/10