“Sucker Punch”
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A young woman who loses her mother and accidentally kills her sister while trying to defend her from an abusive step-father is put in a mental institution. Once there, she copes by imagining herself in fantasy world, while she and 4 other patients work to collect the items needed for their escape.
Holy crap, there’s a lot going on in this film! I’ve got to admit, I didn’t know what this was about when I decided to watch it, but from the beginning I couldn’t look away. Though I can’t say that I was surprised by the ending, I did feel it was well executed and the events of the story resolved logically.
Written and directed by Zach Snyder (300 and Watchmen), the film was visually stunning, the characters rich and well developed. A story about what it takes to be a hero, it was complex, multi layered and not what you expect. The dialogue was decent though in some places it sounded almost video game cliche. Baby Doll’s “dances” were a surprise that I quite enjoyed. What an incredibly imaginative interpretation of how dancing is supposed to tell a story. Each one a unique adventure into her elaborate fantasy showing how her relationship with Rocket, Sweet Pea, Blondie and Amber evolves. The sound track was particularly good as well, with Emily Browning, who played Baby Doll, providing vocals for several of the songs.
The supporting cast had great chemistry. Carla Gugino as the doctor, seemingly as trapped as the patients, as well as their teacher and guardian; Oscar Isaac as the evil, sleazy orderly who has enough charisma to make everyone believe he is in charge; and Scott Glenn as the Wise Man.
I gave this film 4 1/2 mixed drinks. I know I will be revisiting this movie.
1/2
