Review of Sucker Punch (2011) by Harry W — 07 Jul 2014

With a talented cast lined up and Zack Snyder as director, Sucker Punch sounded like a good action film.

For better or for worse, that's exactly what it was because Sucker Punch delivered the action at the expense of many other important aspects of storytelling. Sucker Punch is a huge contrast to Zack Snyder's previous effort as the director of 300 which was a historically themed action film largely dominated by masculine sexualised male stereotypes because Sucker Punch is fictional action film with a cast of sexually provocative female characters as the heroes of the story. Sucker Punch does not live up to 300 though, yet it borrows the elements of storytelling from Watchmen. Unfortunately, that particular aspect is not one that helps Sucker Punch.

I am referring to the plot structure of the film. It took me two viewings to realise that the issue of Sucker Punch was the way that it was structured. The film begins with protagonist Babydoll being sent to a mental institution before going through a sudden series of random images and ending with her getting a lobotomy. It then suddenly drifts into a world where the mental institution is the front for a burlesque theatre and brothel. Wikipedia defines this as being Babydoll drifting off into a fantasy world, but in actual fact that completely disrupts the internal logic of the rest of the film. Unless Zack Snyder was desperately attempting to craft a David Lynch fare out of the film then the only sensible thing to say is that the plot structure of the film is poor and it could have been saved if the scenes between Babydoll entering the institution and the scenes where she meets Sweet Pea were omitted. Then the plot would be slightly more sensible. But even then, the plot would remain as poor as it is now. The other issue in terms of plotting is the way that it puts significant build up into breaking five women out of a Mental Institution only to have an ending which is depressing and full of some of the most obviously cliche elements available. I might as well explain the ending. The film is all about trying to get five women out of a mental instutition. Three of them are killed in the process and one of them sacrifices herself to get the fifth out. This is awfully anticlimactic and really makes viewers wonder what the point of the whole story was when all it did was come to a poor conclusion. In terms of storytelling, Sucker Punch is nothing but poor form and the script of the film is packed with dialogue that proves to be nothing but generic writing from every fantasy film circa 1980's.

What you have to look at Sucker Punch for being is what it truly is: a shallow action fantasy which serves as a pubescent male's wet dream. It is a film entirely built on women dressed up in skimpy outfits, put into a position where they are being objectified and constantly risking death so that they can escape the clutches of an unfair rule. It is essentially a companion piece to Zack Snyder's 300 although it does not come close in terms of quality. All the value comes from surface appeal, and that is what you have to go in looking for. Luckily enough, under the direction of Zack Snyder Sucker Punch is able to be one of his most visually spectacular pieces.

Everything in Sucker Punch feels legitimate because the production design and scenery of the film is terrific, and it is captured with cinematography that is both stylish and atmospheric. It gives the film a grim feel, and it plays out against the backdrop of an intense and dark soundtrack, particularly use of Emily Browning's cover of "Sweet Dreams". Everything in Sucker Punch is atmospheric, and when it drifts off into the fantasy world it becomes truly magnificent.

Sucker Punch shows off unforgettable action scenes when it begins its action scenes. Using groundbreaking visual effects which are amazing down to the last detail, Sucker Punch captures some amazing and versatile action scenes which range from Emily Browning engaging in fights with giant samurai to a full on battle against an army of nazi zombies. The action is spectacular because of the visual effects, and so as a front for the new level of visual effects in cinema, Sucker Punch ends up being unforgettable. The action scenes are also extended to good length and end up being enough to transcend many of the central flaws in the story.

And all in all, although the script of the film is poor, the cast make a decent effort.

Although Emily Browning's role only really demands her to make a blank face and look attractive, she manages to fit the part pretty well. She puts up a great fight during the action scenes by showing off her ability to handle a weapon well, and her flexibility. Emily Browning puts a certain level of innocence into the role which is reminiscent of an Alice in Wonderland type figure. She isn't the most powerful member of the cast, but considering the thin nature of the character that was written for her, she does the job well enough.

Jena Malone gives it a decent effort in the role of Sweet Pea because she puts a lot of charismatic energy into the role and establishes a certain sense of hope for the story. Her supportive spirit lightens the melodramatic nature of the film and her charm is captivating enough. She shares a nice chemistry with Emily Browning as well.

Vanessa Hudgens is a great casting decision for Sucker Punch because it is such a powerful contrast to her earlier roles as a Disney girl and the star of children themed films. In this film, she fearlessly flaunts her sexuality around without going excessive and she gives a performance where it looks like she has a lot of fun. The dramatic nature of her line delivery has a lot of emotional power in some scenes, and when she brandishes a gun she does it with firm dedication which makes it easily believable. Vanessa Hudgens is the strongest action figure in Sucker Punch and she gives a good performance as an action hero and in terms of handling the drama of the film.

Abbie Cornish and Jamie Chung provide decent supporting efforts as well, and Carla Gugino makes a good presence.

Lastly, Oscar Isaac manages to make a good antagonist as Blue Jones because he holds all the darkness of his part within the subtle elements of his performance. He remains on a monotonous emotion the entire time and is very manipulative with how he words things, rendering him an ideal fit for the dark nature of the story. Oscar Isaac shares a tense chemistry with Emily Browning, and he proves early on in his career just how easily talented he is.

So Sucker Punch is senselessly plotted and scripted weakly so it may require two viewings for audiences to really understand it, but the quality of the action scenes are just truly amazing and prove to be unforgettable.