Review of Sucker Punch (2011) by Brenton M — 31 Jan 2013

Okay, I had heard this movie was terrible. But my friend watched it and he really liked it. So I thought I'd give it a shot. I enjoyed Snyder's 300, so I thought this could also be something interesting and have an awesome visual style. As it turned out, yes it definitely is.

Now, before people start yelling, let me say this: I watched the extended cut on the Blu-ray release. In other words: NOT the version that was terribly reviewed on this site. Of course, that could very well mean that the theatrical version IS indeed terrible. And I'm not saying it isn't, I don't know. But this review is of the extended cut.

I did my research and found out which scenes they cut. And I can see why everyone was so hateful towards it. Those scenes, 17 minutes in fact, actually explain a lot. Without them, I could see it being a confusing mess. I was wondering why the studio decided to cut this movie down. And I think they were trying to make an originally R-rated movie be available to a broader audience. Unfortunately, this resulted in a compromised vision, terrible reviews, and a box office flop. This is an obvious cash grab, and the studio payed for it.

Thankfully, Snyder's original vision is available, and I honestly feel that it helped me see the movie as more than just a bunch of hot chicks fighting. Sure, that part of it is awesome when it's there. But I wasn't just aimlessly gawking at it, and there actually IS a point to it.

The story's basic premise is that Babydoll is sent to an asylum, and she and some other girls must figure out a way to break out. Now, the supporting characters might not be developed much. But Babydoll is shown to be an innocent girl who must learn to fight for her own cause. The whole movie is a huge parallel of itself. What is actually a dark mental asylum, Babydoll envisions as a brothel. I hope that clears up some confusion.

Snyder's scenes of how they metaphorically go after each object they need to escape is where the movie shines. But once again, I was not just gawking at the visual scope. I seriously thought Snyder had some cool ideas with those scenes. (For example, they need a lighter, and in Babydoll's vision, they must get flame by killing a dragon.) The transitions between reality and her fantasies are supposed to be Babydoll's way of repressing what is she is already envisioning. She is "dancing" (stripping) for the prison staff while the other girls retrieve what they need, and the action scenes are huge parallels of that.

So, to clear up ANY last bits of confusion:

Through the extended cut, it can be understood that the setting is, in reality, an asylum. She envisions it as a brothel, but then further envisions fantastical scenes, which are parallels to them escaping from the asylum. Basically fantasy within fantasy (no Inception reference) at that point. But yes, they ARE actually trying to escape.

I hope I can make myself understood when I say that this film has some layers to it, despite what most have said. The extended cut is something Snyder's fans (or anyone) should check out if they were disappointed with the theatrical release. Not an absolute amazing masterpiece of a movie. But horrible? I don't think so. I enjoyed this movie just as much as 300 and feel that it is underrated. 4 out of 5.