Suspend your disbelief and know that dreams can become reality. "Sucker Punch" is an amalgam of video game storytelling and anime action. Both are known for their over the top natures, but director Zack Snyder takes them so high they hit the moon. If you have trouble with action that defies reality, then stop right now — this movie isn't for you.
Like the video games it steals its structure from, Baby Doll (Emily Browning) is a silent hero whose few lines are delivered in a monotone droll. Her past traumas have driven her unwillingly into a mental facility for women where she fights for her freedom. But until the last fifteen minutes, Baby Doll's two-dimensional personality gives no reason for you to be interested in her. What drives the story forward is two other patients: Sweet Pea and Rocket, played by Abbie Cornish and Jena Malone respectively. The stories behind their past lives and motivations for fighting inject a soul into the film. Amber and Blondie, the other important patients, add varying perspectives to the situation but do little to better the story.
Baby Doll gathers the four girls to plan their spectacular escape using their imaginations. This amounts to fighting armies of enemies through fantastic worlds to find a single object. If they can survive each of the four worlds and locate the tools they need, their freedom is guaranteed. In their dream world each character gains a new fetish outfit that seems more suited for eye candy than for battle. They perform over the top stunts that are only possible in our wildest imaginations, but are sometimes pushed to a point of such ridiculousness that it can be humorous. The story doesn't reach its potential till the very end, but the conclusion justifies the first hour of emotionless visual delights.
Zack Snyder films are well known for there heart stopping action and mind blowing visuals. "Sucker Punch" pushes his abilities to the limit and delights all the senses. His signature slow motion scenes feel better planned and technically enhanced. Each world is well thought out and has a unique visual feel. The over arching story is a delight for the mind and will keep you thinking even after the screen goes black. But it also disappoints by having nothing to keep you interested in the individual moments. Zack Snyder proves he can create innovative visuals, but without source material to work with he lacks the skills to create an equally strong story.
The sound track is great and suits the intensity of the film, but often gets lost in the explosions and gunfire. Luckily, very little dialogue is used during the battles so the story isn't lost along with the music. The script can be just as intense, but with Baby Doll’s emotionless performance you have to rely on her teammates to drive the story. The other four patients pull at your heartstrings but don't get the screen time they rightly deserve. This doesn't ruin the film but keeps it from becoming truly brilliant.
"Sucker Punch" is a spectacle to behold and has a story that comes together in the end, but the weak beginning makes it a hard journey to care about. Without a compelling main character, as a fellow filmgoer said, ‘it’s “fan service” the movie, and I'm okay with that.’
I give it 3 deadly hotties out of 5.
Written by Chris
Edited by Aaron
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