“Close your eyes. Open your mind. You will be unprepared.”
Between the ab–tastic action of 300 and the gritty alternate reality of Watchmen, director Zack Snyder seemed to have thrown every cinematic trick a graphic novel could never have dreamed of. His latest visual thrill–ride, Sucker Punch, continues in that same vein — but multiple realities, visual candy and a soundtrack to rival the images cannot hide a stunningly uncreative plot.
Sucker Punch recounts the story of Babydoll (Browning), an orphan who is condemned to a mental facility from which she tries to escape. In her deluded mind, the hospital becomes a brothel, and Babydoll is part of a dance troupe that quickly becomes the rest of her escape team: Sweet Pea (Cornish), Rocket (Jena Malone), Blondie (Hudgens) and Amber (Chung).
The movie quickly becomes a brisk–paced, multiple–reality version of The Great Escape. Babydoll is told that after acquiring five items she and her friends can run free. While the gathering of these items might only include commonplace distraction, they are constructed as violently rampant video game levels, complete with tasks given by David Carradine–inspired sensei.
Even though Snyder tries to visually propel the film, the age–old “captive–turned–escaper” plot gives no inventive twists or unexpected dialogue to hold the audience. It may be the case that unlike 300 and Watchmen, Sucker Punch is an original creation, but Snyder is simply a better visual artist than a screenwriter.
Still, Sucker Punch is a fun, gritty, visceral thrill ride that pushes the limits of light saturation and CGI animation. Sit down expecting explosive visuals and an incredible soundtrack, and as Snyder hints, “You will be unprepared.”
2.5/5 Stars Directed by: Zack Snyder Starring: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Vanessa Hugdens, Jamie Chung Rated PG–13, 109 min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrIiYSdEe4E
