The story of Sucker Punch is either terribly complicated or deceptively simple, and I have yet to decide which. Set in the 1950's, it opens with an incredible sequence that is void of dialog and driven by compelling visuals and a great song, but expertly introduces us to our protagonist "Babydoll" (Emily Browning) and her tragic back-story. She is betrayed and wrongly committed to an insane asylum. Shortly after arriving, she slips into a delusional state. Whether it's due to improper medication/treatment or simply a defense mechanism of her mind is not made clear, but she imagines the asylum as a cabaret show in a brothel. Her fellow inmates are dancers as well, and she perceives therapy sessions as practicing her dancing. However, the first time she dances, the truly amazing part of the movie begins. Her delusional state deepens, and she finds her conscious self in the courtyard of a snowy Japanese castle. She enters and finds a mysterious sage (Scott Glenn) who grants her two weapons, an elegant Katana and an engraved Colt 1911 pistol. He tells Babydoll that she will need five items for escape to be possible. A Map, A Fire, A Knife, A Key and a mysterious Fifth Item. Almost immediately she is attacked by three Giant Samurai Golems, and the real fun begins. As the film progresses, Babydoll recruits other girls to help carry out her plan to escape.
The fight scenes in this movie are simply jaw-dropping, to the point I just sat agape every time Babydoll started dancing and a new action sequence began. While some will no doubt be annoyed by anachronistic issues, such as modern assault rifles being used by the girls, these scenes all take place in a delusional state, and Babydoll would no doubt imagine futuristic weapons for her friends. While some key fights are won by Babydoll and her Katana, the majority of the action is gun-play and vehicle combat. The varied action sequences include Steam Punk WWI Trench Warfare, a Fantasy Castle under siege by Orc Like beasts.and the always classic bomb on a runaway train full of robots. They have to be seen to be believed.
And while the story is interesting, the action and visuals incredible, mention must be made of the soundtrack. Any fan of song covers, like Brian Ibbot for example, will doubtless be impressed by the array of songs in this film. As a rule, the movie is light on dialog, and many of the scenes are completely driven by the songs and the action.
Overall, the film is well acted for the most part. I was especially fond of Rocket, played by Jena Malone, who also played Gretchen in Donnie Darko (Applause!). Emily Browning as Babydoll is very impressive, and it is always a great treat to see Scott Glenn. I only really had a few things that bothered me, the ending for example and some slightly contradictory scenes. I almost guarantee that director Zack Snyder will produce a Director's Cut of this film when it is released on Blu Ray, and hopefully that will clear up some of the things that I felt didn't make sense. When it comes right down to it tho, I have to say that I thuroughly enjoyed this film, and will probably go see it again in the theater, for the action and ambiance if nothing else.
8 Bunny Faced Mechs out of 10
Yes, there is a Bunny Faced Mech in this film.
Sucker Punch was quite a Nerdgasm; hot babes with guns, katanas, and mechs kicking ass through a steampowered nazi-filled, orc-infested, dragon-inhabited wasteland. All set alongside a great soundtrack and well done special effects.
ReplyDeleteI feel that if David Carradine was still alive, he would have been the wise old man. Also, trying not to spoil anything, why couldn't it have been Blondie instead of Rocket? Baaawwwwww!