Sucker Punch Review

Sucker Punch Review

Cast: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Jena Malone, Carla Gugino, Scott Glenn, Oscar Isaac
Director: Zack Snyder
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Rated: M
Running Time: 109 minutes

Synopsis: Close your eyes. Open your mind. You will be unprepared. "Sucker Punch" is an epic action fantasy that takes us into the vivid imagination of a young girl whose dream world provides the ultimate escape from her darker reality.

Unrestrained by the boundaries of time and place, she is free to go where her mind takes her, and her incredible adventures blur the lines between what's real and what is imaginary. She has been locked away against her will, but Babydoll (Emily Browning) has not lost her will to survive. Determined to fight for her freedom, she urges four other young girls-the outspoken Rocket (Jena Malone), the street-smart Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens), the fiercely loyal Amber (Jamie Chung) and the reluctant Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish)-to band together and try to escape their terrible fate at the hands of their captors, Blue (Oscar Isaac), Madam Gorski (Carla Gugino) and the High Roller (Jon Hamm).

Led by Babydoll, the girls engage in fantastical warfare against everything from samurais to serpents, with a virtual arsenal at their disposal. Together, they must decide what they are willing to sacrifice in order to stay alive. But with the help of a Wise Man (Scott Glenn), their unbelievable journey-if they succeed-will set them free.

Verdict: From the director of 300 and Watchmen, Sucker Punch brings to the screen another stunning film, with amazing cinematography and CGI. It has a collaboration of elements from other films such as Charlie's Angels, Inception and even Kill Bill. The 'girl power' attitude resinates from Charlie's Angel's whereas the fantasy and setting change has a similar feel to Inception.

Sucker Punch follows the character of baby doll (played by Australia's own Emily Browning). After she is institutionalised by her abusive stepfather, she is scheduled to have a lobotomy in five days. Her world blurs to fantasy as she fights for her survival and for those who she befriends in the mental hospital: Sweet Pea, Rocket, Blondie and Amber.

There are three layers to the film: the first is the mental hospital, the second is a burlesque brothel and the third is a supernatural world where the girls must fight anything from a dragon to a zombie soldier to achieve the next step to their freedom.

The film is action packed and the fight scenes are great to watch. They are edgy and draw influence from videogames and anime.

Sucker Punch is all about hot chicks kicking ass, although it has its other layers, meanings and themes. Unfortunately, the acting isn't great, and considering the cast I would have expected more, and I also found the supernatural elements to feel very disjointed. There are other minor flaws in the film, but if you're in the mood for some action, Sucker Punch delivers.
Rating: ***

Alicia Taylor

Release Date: 7th of April, 2011