Running Time: 110 mins
Directed By: Zack Snyder
Starring: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Jena Malone, Carla Gugino
Screenplay: Steve Shibuya, Zack Snyder
UK Release Date: 1st April 2011Quick Plot: After her mother dies, Babydoll is accused of killing her younger sister by her stepfather and taken to a mental home for girls. There the girls are trained and taught how to dance for the pleasure of men and used to make money for their boss, Blue. Babydoll wants to escape and with the help of 4 other girls they all enter the fantasy world of Babydoll's mind to collect 5 items requested by a wise man to help them escape.
Review: When I first watched the trailer for Sucker Punch I got a little excited at the idea of a group of young girls being the tough and violet ones who did all the fighting themselves. Then after that the only real reason I would watch new trailers and look at new images of the film was because of the girls eyelashes (anyone who knows me knows I have a little, tiny, obsession with eyelashes), the action/cgi and the fact Vanessa Hudgens and Emily Browning star. Additionally, it's directed by Zack Snyder who we all know likes to make epic/cgi/action films from Watchmen to 300 to Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole. But I've got to admit this is the first Zack Snyder film I've seen so I have no idea what his previous films are like, but I enjoyed this one.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves here and jump to the conclusion that is it amazing because it isn't anything like that at all. The trailer for Sucker Punch made the whole film look like some epic, summer blockbuster with some incredible storyline, lots of action sequences, good music and lots of ass kicking. But the film lacked a storyline. The narrative never fully explains how they get into the fantasy world and how they get the special items from Babydoll's fantasy world then from the reality world. I read a few reviews before hand that explained that Sucker Punch is just lots of long music videos put together and I have to completely agree. The effects and cgi are stunning and the action scenes are great too. All the fighting, explosions, guns are brilliant and I really did get completely into whatever the storyline was because it had nothing.
The soundtrack. Funnily enough, I won the Sucker Punch soundtrack in an online competition and it arrived yesterday. I hadn't known I won until I received it so I didn't know what to expect so I had a listen and I like it. I had already heard two of the tracks performed by Emily Browning who plays Babydoll so I knew the following tracks were good; The Pixies 'Where Is My Mind' covered by Yoav ft. Emily Browning and 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)' by Emily Browning. Both are beautiful covers and Emily Browning's voice is just perfect in every way. I had no idea she could sing and she doesn't fail to impress. As for the rest of the soundtrack, the song 'Asleep' by Emily Browning is additionally superb with my other favourite tracks are 'Search & Destroy' and 'Army Of Me'. With the film, the soundtrack works brilliantly and I definitely recommend listening to some of the tracks I will post at the end of this review.
Now onto the girls. I could not take my eyes off their eyelashes, I know they are fake and special effects but I WANT their eyes it's not fair. They're all stunning blah blah blah but they all did an ace job at their parts. Especially Jena Malone and Abbie Cornish as Rocket and Sweet Pea. Vanessa Hudgens and Jamie Chung as Blondie and Amber were just as good but I felt like their characters needed to include a little background information as to why they were in the mental home. Emily Browning was flawless and I don't need to elaborate on that because I don't need to justify it, she just was.
All round an entertaining film but with a weak storyline. If Sucker Punch did have a bold storyline this film could have been something incredibly special. I probably won't plan on going out of my way to watch this again, by either buying or renting it on DVD, but it's nothing to turn away. Just don't hope for it all to make any real sense to you. It has the action, fights, explosions, soundtrack so take it for what it is and you will not be let down.
I now bring to you the second official trailer for Sucker Punch. (I'm posting the second trailer because I don't think it will give anything away because there is nothing to give away)
Here are two tracks from the OST I think you should have a little listen too..
yes...I had seen 300 and certainly I knew this couldnt be so great..300 was a manly movie actually but I did like it and Snyder is superb with CGI action adventure!! I didnt knew he made The owls of ga'hoole though I liked it but as always its just good effects and lots of action...My friend is waiting so long for this movie and I bet he'll like it but probably not me..PS. Supposedly this was Snyder's worst movie...not that It wasnt bad...thanks for posting!
ReplyDeletethe sound track was amazing, as soon as i heard Bjorks voice, i was hooked. The opening sweet dreams was a perfect touch for the entire scene. However my favorite scene was the first dance, the click of the tape player and that fantastic beat... then the movie was boring, really awesome, boring, really awesome, boring, really awesome - i think you understand what i am saying.
ReplyDelete@Baseem The opening scene was fantastic! And worked so well with 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) -Emily Browning'
ReplyDeleteYeah definitely, it just lacked a storyline
@D.Caraccioli I can't say whether it was his worst or not I need to watch his previous films. But definitely give it a go! It's not one to turn away
Thanks for both your comments :D