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A view on Blu-ray by Gary W. Tooze

Source Code [Blu-ray]

 

(Duncan Jones, 2011)

 

  

  

 

Review by Gary Tooze

 

Production:

Theatrical: Vendome Pictures

Video: Summit Entertainment

 

Disc:

Region: 'A'-locked (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player)

Runtime: 1:34:22.531

Disc Size: 30,601,701,874 bytes

Feature Size: 26,043,463,680 bytes

Video Bitrate: 27.88 Mbps

Chapters: 19

Case: Standard Blu-ray case

Release date: July 26th, 2011

 

Video:

Aspect ratio: 1.78:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 3775 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3775 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio French 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / Dolby Surround
* DTS Express English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / 24-bit

 

Subtitles:

English (SDH), none

 

Extras:

Audio commentary with Jake Gyllenhaal, director Duncan Jones and writer Ben Ripley
Access Source Code: Trivia track

 

Bitrate:

 

 

Description: A helicopter pilot (Gyllenhaal) recruited for a top-secret military operation finds himself on a startlingly different kind of mission in Source Code, a smart, fast-paced action thriller that challenges our assumptions about time and space. Filled with mind-boggling twists and heart-pounding suspense, Source Code is directed by Duncan Jones (Moon).

***

Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) is on a mission to identify a bomber who destroyed a train just hours earlier and who plans to kill thousands more with a much larger explosion in the heart of Chicago.

A top-secret program, named ‘Source Code’, allows Colter to exist briefly as another man in the parallel reality of the doomed commuter train. Each time he returns to the train, Colter has just eight minutes to uncover the bomber’s identity. The more he learns, the more convinced he becomes that he can prevent the deadly blast from ever happening – unless time runs out first.

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).

***

When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens 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 eight 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.

 

 

The Film:

Source Code begins in full, racing Hitchcock mode: aerial shots of Chicago, including vertiginous views down onto passing skyscrapers, and every glance made ominous by shrieks from an alarmed string section.

Once inside a speeding train aimed at the city, we understand the distress. A passenger, Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) snaps awake as his flirty seatmate, Christina (Michelle Monaghan), calls him by another name. Stumbling into a rest room, the distraught traveller finds a stranger’s face in the mirror.

Excerpt from Stephen Cole at the Globe and Mail located HERE

It doesn’t take long for “Source Code,” a science-fiction thriller with a contemporary twist, to hook you. A smooth diversion directed by Duncan Jones that bats around a few big ideas, the movie opens with a succession of overhead images of Chicago and its environs gleaming in the bright day. Again and again the camera swoops and soars above the doll-like houses, rushing past ribbons of freeway and nearly skimming the tops of silver skyscrapers. And again and again, and closer and closer, it returns to a speeding commuter train, a recurrence that artfully foreshadows the story’s nifty repetition compulsion.

Excerpt from Manohla Dargis at the NY Times located HERE

Image :    NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Source Code appears impressive on Blu-ray from Summit Entertainment.  We have a tight, detailed image via 1080P. This is dual-layered and aside from some less-typical color shifts - that I can't see as being intentional - but add the only potential 'knock' to a flaw-free video presentation. This could be a factor of the cinematographic process but certainly didn't affect my enjoyment. Daylight scenes - with natural lighting - are dynamic with sharpness and depth leaving gloss-free visuals. This Blu-ray provides a pristinely crisp presentation that includes some 'wow' factors worthy of a modern extravaganza. The Blu-ray probably gives a highly accurate representation of Source Code's true theatrical appearance with no digital enhancements for the medium. I expect most will be riveted by this film's appearance.

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio :

We get an equally solid audio track in the guise of a DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 3775 kbps. As typical for this modern take on the action genre this can seem overly aggressive via the Surround and healthy bass. It's not that it drowns out dialogue - rather the 'devastations' can be draining by themselves but fans who like their effects outrageously pushy - they may enjoy many segments of Source Code audio. The score's music flows well with exceptional clarity and there are optional English subtitle. My Momitsu has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked although it will be available in Region 'B' territory later this year.

 

Extras :

We get a reasonably good audio commentary with director Duncan Jones, actor Jake Gyllenhaal and writer Ben Ripley discussing many technical details of the production. If you get into the filmmaking process for Source Code and are keen to know more of the unique precision - you will find this has substantial value. Access: Source Code offers an untested picture-in-picture ability that combines interviews, trivia and more.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
Highly interesting Groundhog Day-esque themed thriller. Director Duncan Jones impressed me with the pace and polish (I'd say this is better than Moon in those respects). Great writing and Gyllenhaal is solid as a Gary Cooper-type everyman hero while Michelle Monaghan continues to impress as the supportive girl-next-door.
Once you get into Source Code - it can be quite gripping with echoes of Hitchcock. The Blu-ray does a wonderful job in supporting the film's most dynamic aspects. It makes for both a memorable and enjoyable disc. Recommended! 

Gary Tooze

July 19th, 2011

  

  

 

About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 3500 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.

Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who focused 'too much' on image and sound quality - I find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction.

Gary's Home Theatre:

60-Inch Class (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Pioneer KURO Plasma Flat Panel HDTV PDP6020-FD

Oppo Digital BDP-83 Universal Region FREE Blu-ray/SACD Player
Momitsu - BDP-899 Region FREE Blu-ray player
Marantz SA8001 Super Audio CD Player
Marantz SR7002 THX Select2 Surround Receiver
Tannoy DC6-T (fronts) + Energy (centre, rear, subwoofer) speakers (5.1)

APC AV 1.5 kVA H Type Power Conditioner 120V

Gary W. Tooze

 

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