I don’t watch too many mainstream films, mainly because they follow the overused storyline for a particular genre. But when I saw the trailer for Sucker Punch, I couldn’t resist to at least watch it once. I don’t know whether it was the mostly female ensemble cast, or the stunning visual effects, but I said to myself, “I have to watch this.”
Sucker Punch is a story about freedom and standing for what you believe in. Director Zack Snyder has blended action, video games, and girls into something rather tasteful. (Note: I have not seen any his previous work (300, Watchmen))
The first ten minutes of this film resembles a short prequel to set the scene and tone of the story. I found it strange that the only dialogue was of a cover of the Eurythmics’ ‘Sweet Dreams’, accompanying vision of Baby Doll’s stepfather raging throughout the house; akin to a combination of the prologue and the opening titles of a James Bond film. Following this we reach the main plot, ‘Find the five items to set you free!’
Did I not mention that this film was a visual feast? Apart from the amazingly graphic battles against the machines, steampunk soldiers, dragons and the humanoids, the moving between the dreamworld and reality becomes a bit ordinary after the second time. Nevertheless, there is an urge to keep watching and thinking ‘What will they do next?’ The film takes on a twist eventually, and the two worlds merge into one.
In many ways, you could argue that Sucker Punch is almost like a storyline from a video game. With a few prominent film adaptions of popular games released in the last few years, you wouldn’t be the only one thinking the same.
So, should you watch it? I think you should. With any film, whether you like it depends on what you make of it. See it for the visuals, the soundtrack but not so much for the story.
I give this 3.5 out of 5. What do you think?
