I want to tap into Zack Snyder’s brain and figure out what the true vision for Sucker Punch really was. The man has been on the verge of something perfect and revolutionary ever since he broke in the director’s chair. Sucker Punch has flashes of brilliance, beauty, and awe-inspiring style that demonstrates why a trip to the big screen is still worth it. However, if your trip to theater requires more motivation than to see the latest special effects spectacular, you may be better served testing out your home theater with a Sucker Punch rental down the road.
After the initial voice-over, the introduction to Sucker Punch sets up the main character, Baby Doll played by Emily Browning (Lemony Snicket’s), and her trip to the insane asylum with absolutely no dialog. A haunting remake of “Sweet Dreams” kicks off the consistently strong soundtrack while Baby Doll’s hopeless journey unfolds before our eager eyes. Snyder’s knack for visual flare is on full display even when setting up a much more reality based scene than his recent films. I found the tragic setup to be the strongest piece of storytelling in the entire film, and a fantastically subtle delivery of his constant camera movement and dramatic angles. Unfortunately, the strong start begins to crumble when the character’s start opening their mouths to speak.
While the overall plot and multiple layers of imagination that the film explores within the girls’ minds, is incredibly interesting from a 50 ft view, Sucker Punch is dragged into mediocrity by the details. Dialog and delivery is constantly flat. The multiple forced moments of instructional inspiration by the misused Scott Glenn were almost grating to the ears. However, with every painful misstep and snooze inducing slow motion scene, I still find myself constantly impressed by the animated canvas in front of me.
The balance of vulnerability vs power on display by our heroines is the most striking attribute of Sucker Punch. I found some of the more anime inspired upskirt shots off-putting, but for the most part the girls come across as ass-kickers when it counts. In particular, the first war scene with the entire group has a strong rhythm in swinging back and forth between each girl acting as a damsel to dominating as a full-spectrum warrior. Seeing my girl, Jena Malone (Saved!), comfortably flash some thigh highs as she tactically guns down a squad of steam-powered zombie Nazis was a new definition of sexy for me.
Even when Zack Snyder tries and trips, I still find his movies refreshing. I’d rather watch a hundred of his action scenes than a majority of the other soulless special effects flops and way-too-many-animated children’s movies that flood our theaters. It’s not that Sucker Punch lacks depth or character or an engrossing story, it’s just those pieces failed to completely connect with the action. Leaving the audience without anything or anyone to cheer for and a lack of a climax to any one scene. You are numbed by each shot topping the previous one, which is about as thrilling as flipping through a slideshow of a talented artist’s portfolio without any context.
You get the feeling that we are on the verge of a creative vision and story coming together in one Snyder’s future films. I do applaud Zack for creating his own story this time around and look forward to his next original creation. However, somewhere inbetween 300 and Watchmen, he has strayed from being able to pull his audience into the complete experience of his films. We feel like witnesses to Sucker Punch, rather than participants. The geek side of me ate up all of the effects/atmosphere bait the film could dish out, but that’s not enough for me to endorse it for everyone. That being said, I’m going to love this film when I have a mute button, a scene skipping remote, and the soundtrack on repeat in my home.
Final Verdict: 3.5 steam-powered zombies out of 5
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The Sexy Armpit
