"Sucker Punch" review

2.7/5.0 Stars

The idea of escaping from reality is the driving force behind Zach Snyder’s (300, Watchmen) latest film "Sucker Punch." The film follows "Babydoll" (Emily Browning) as she uses elaborate fantasies to escape her harsh life in which she has been forced into a mental institution by her abusive step-father. These fantasies are key as they allow her to try to find strength in her helpless situation, and lead four of her fellow inmates towards escape.

The theme of departing from reality saturates the movie, not only for the characters, but for the audience as well. The movie provides some of the most thrilling escapist joys in recent cinema and the special effects sequences (taking place in Babydoll’s imagination) are striking. The film is a buffet of visual delights, and is filled with the sort of imaginary lands and adventures that twelve-year-old boys might come up with when their minds drift off in class, complete with gunplay, samurai swords, dragons, zombies, and no shortage of scantily clad women.

While it is a revelation for the eyes, where the film falters is in story and character development. By the time the credits roll, viewers haven’t gotten to know a single character, the connection between the reality of the film and the fantasies was never communicated effectively, and the film (despite some narration book-ending the film) never really finds a solid voice.

Audiences will probably be taken in by the movie’s splendor and the giddy fun of Zach Snyder’s violent, exhilarating mindscapes. But therein lies both the strength and drawback of escapist fantasy; when the audience returns to reality, they will see that without more substance, these films, including “Sucker Punch,” often don’t measure up.