“Source Code” is the perfect example of how fun science fiction can be when done right.

This slickly crafted, time-shifting thriller from director Duncan Jones takes an intriguing premise and mixes it with some compelling twists and turns that make it a fun ride from start to finish.

“Source Code” begins with a soldier named Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) waking up on a Chicago commuter train in the body of an unknown man.

Confused at first, Stevens soon learns that he is part of a government mission that allows a person to share brain waves with another person for a specific amount of time (eight minutes in this case) – a sort of time travel of the mind. Stevens also learns his mission is find the bomber on the train, to allow the government to stop him or her before carrying out a second attack on the city.

The film turns into a series of do-overs, with Stevens going back into the eight-minute sequence, slowly unlocking the pieces of the puzzle and developing relationships with the people on the train – including a young woman named Christina (Michelle Monaghan).

That relationship, as well as Stevens’ quest to find out how he got in the mission, gives “Source Code” a human and emotional element that drives the action. At first it felt like it could be a distraction, but I must admit the payoff made it worthwhile.

Gyllenhaal is very good here – it’s a performance that reminded me of Guy Pearce in “Memento.” Monaghan is used well, as are Vera Farmiga and Jeffrey Wright as two government agents assisting Stevens on the mission.

Jones, who also directed the underrated sci-fi film “Moon,” is perhaps the biggest strength of “Source Code.” His eye for action and science-fiction pacing works well here, with Jones taking a simple premise and turning it into a sleek, 90-minute jigsaw puzzle.

“Source Code” is a challenging piece of work, but it is well worth it – the best major release to date in 2011.

DVD dandy of the week

This week’s dandy is “I Love You Phillip Morris” (B), a dark comedy based on a true story that allows Jim Carrey to be more than just another Ace Ventura-esque character.

Carrey plays Steven Russell, a happily married police officer who reassesses his life after a car accident, opting to no longer hide his homosexuality and live life to the fullest.

He quickly learns his extravagant lifestyle is quite expensive, so he turns to a life of crime that leads to prison time for fraud.

While in prison, he meets Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor) and the two quickly become a couple. Russell is so happy that he quickly hatches a plan to get them both out of jail so they can build the perfect life together. But as the cons and fraud pile up, the chances of returning to prison increase dramatically.

This is the kind of film that could have failed miserably, but co-writers and co-directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa do a great job of pushing the envelope without crossing the line.

Carrey and McGregor also deserve credit for taking the risky roles. This is probably Carrey’s best and funniest work since “The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” McGregor is just as good, giving the dark material a sweet edge that gives “Phillip Morris” its moral compass.

I’ll concede this is a film that won’t be for everyone, but if you like your comedies pitch black, “I Love You Phillip Morris” should satisfy your taste.

“I Love You Phillip Morris” is rated R for sexual content including strong dialogue and language and is now available on DVD.

— To get sportswriter/movie reviewer Micheal Compton’s up-to-the minute thoughts on all things movies, visit his blog at mcompton.wordpress.com or his Twitter page at twitter.com/mcompton428. You can also email him at mcompton@bgdailynews.com.