Review: Sucker Punch

Zack Snyder is known for pushing the limit on his films, and "Sucker Punch" is no exception.

While this film is not the most brilliant science-fiction/fantasy film ever made, it is not terrible. It is clear Snyder worked on the plot of the film for many years. While it was originally planned to be filmed and released prior to "Watchmen," the extra years probably did the story good. To be honest, it might have needed just a few more months to sit before fully moving forward with the project.

Snyder has said in interviews that he had argeuments with WB on whether or not women can hold a film. Snyder argued that there are not enough strong female leads like this out there. While this idea is good to start a basis of a film, when glancing at the surface of the film, it can be seen as a contradiction. Snyder names his characters things such as "Babydoll" or "Sweet Pea." Not to mention the first perception in a brothel. While the intention is there, there is concern as to whether the execution was right. However, Snyder's early career as a comic artist and writer, as seen in his adaption of his graphic novel "300" helped him balance the exoticism of women. By presenting the scenes in the film in views of a comic lens, he places before the audience the obvious extremism of the film, forcing the audience to think past what they see.

Emily Browning was not the original choice for the lead role, but was certainly the better. Compared to the first choice, Amanda Seyfried, she plays on her short stature and delicateness to its full potential when seducing the men to distract them from her plans of escape. While in the second layer of perception, the steampunk fantasy world, she proves just because she is little, it doesn't mean she cannot pack a punch.

While the acting was a little flat, and the Madame Gronski (Carla Gugino, also in "Watchmen") narration near the end grew a tad old, the overall execution of the film, I found was enjoyable. The story focuses on Babydoll losing everything she has known and loved, and being sent to an Institution. The film takes place in the year 1955, which is just on the edge before the Institution reforms. The main set of girls she works to escape with, Rocket, Sweet Pea, Blondie, and Amber, are all sent in for reasons that, after the reform, would not be considered grounds for institution. Babydoll has five days to escape before the "high-roller" comes in for her. Essentially, her father bribes the main orderly, Blue, to send Babydoll for a lobotomy.

Snyder also effortlessly creates remakes of popular songs such as "Where is my Mind" by The Pixies, and "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane, to fit the film. These songs weave in and out of the plot to assist the storytelling, rather than inhibit it; offering another perspective of Babydoll's mentality in this destructive world. I would definitely suggest this film if you're a female in the mood for some action and "girl power." However, if you are expecting brilliant Snyder science fiction, you will not find it here. Entertainment and visually appealing classic steampunk fantasy would be all you would receive.

While I have already posted the trailer in my last piece on the subgenres of science fiction, I will simply leave you with the remake of The Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows."