Zack Snyder's SUCKER PUNCH

[lerath666]

Meh, nothing just objectively sucks. Different viewers are looking for different things, and so I can understand some folks liking this movie for what it appears to be. But before this, people were giving Snyder more credit than he was due based on his previous body of work (where he showed himself capable purely on a technical direction/art design level), and for that reason expected him to do more than he previously showed himself capable of. That was unwarranted IMO.

MFW you've clearly never owned a vacuum cleaner.

 

[Darkseed]

Saw it today - what a glorious failure.
In 300 and Watchmen Snyder was working with 2 of the best talents in comics (although Miller's writing isn't nearly on par with Moore's) but with Suckerpunch he shows that he needs to team with a decent writer and/or a producer that can rein him in (which we'll get with Man of Steel, Thank Rao!).

I'm sure that Snyder would say that there's a lot going on beneath the surface of this film but this theatrical cut doesn't really make a lot of sense on any level. The films wants to be every film and genre - Steampunk, WWI, WWII, Lord of the Rings, Moulin Rouge, Inception, Brazil - but fails to deliver except on the visual level. I wouldn't want to intellectualize it too much - although I'm sure that's what Snyder would want - he'd probably say that it could be something different for every viewer - but with no cohesive plot or characterizations there's no real way to take that away.

Spoiler

I think what he probably intends is that there is only one real character - Sweetpea/Babydoll and all the girls are just different aspects of the one character and she had to sacrifice her innocence (Babydoll) in order to escape. But this doesn't really work for the character(s) nor make for a satisfying ending.

But I have to say the art direction was magnificent and I will be following Emily Browning's career with enthusiasm. Also Snyder is an excellent action director - the action scenes were exciting and original.

Wonderful post DD. I just returned from watching the film and share many of the same views. I don't know I agree with glorious failure since I knew nothing about the film beforehand. Otherwise, a spot on review IMO.

 

[karamazov80]

MFW you've clearly never owned a vacuum cleaner.

Well, "nothing" obviously excludes that, black holes, and Paris Hilton.

 

[Darklord Dave]

Considering your opening statement, your ending argument is fallacious. Sucker Punch may be exactly what Snyder intended it to be. To say he was given more credit than he was due is to judge him by the same standard used by people that are stating the movie sucked. Albeit, you did say it was just your opinion.

While all opinions of the film are subjective, if this theatrical cut is exactly what Snyder intended, then he didn't really have a clear direction when he started out. The purpose of any media is to communicate and I think somewhere along the line the message got a bit muddled.

In my opinion, of course.

 

[Timinator]

I guess we'll have to agree to an impasse, Dave, as I thought the intent of the film was clear. I felt like I had as much of an understanding of the characters as Snyder had intended, and at no point was I confused with the storyline. However, I do understand how some people might not feel a connection with the characters or the plot. As I've said before, we all have our tastes, but I don't view the film as a failure on Snyder's part.

 

[nash]

To compare this POS movie to Terminator and Predator makes you look foolish. Those two are great, the others you listed are too silly/geeky for me.

Oh yeah, because predator and terminator has grade A acting and an amazing story right? ok

WHatever, I thought sucker punch was a fun movie. The story was just as shallow as any of the movies I previously mentioned. The acting was just as mediocre, the action was just as fun, and the special effects just as cool (each in its own time). comparable imo.

 

[vareika]

Oh yeah, because predator and terminator has grade A acting and an amazing story right? ok

WHatever, I thought sucker punch was a fun movie. The story was just as shallow as any of the movies I previously mentioned. The acting was just as mediocre, the action was just as fun, and the special effects just as cool (each in its own time). comparable imo.

Honestly, I agree. I think some of the older classics are now cults simply because compared to what was out there at the time, they were "fancy" and in general just "cool". They really did not always have the best acting or story...but yah.

Don't get me wrong, I'd take Predator and Terminator over Sucker Punch. But I think putting things in perspective, there is simply so much more stuff to compare a new movie to nowadays...I mean what storyline, amazing graphics, cool acting, memoriable dialogue is THAT new anymore?

Case in point, ALL of my friends who watched Watchman did not like it, while I enjoyed it a whole lot having known the comic book, while they came into the movie with ZERO knowledge of the storyline and original comic. I guess we appreciate a piece of literature, music, or movie based on many factors - what age were you when you watched it, what else did you see back then, what can you compare it to..etc etc...

 

[nash]

Honestly, I agree. I think some of the older classics are now cults simply because compared to what was out there at the time, they were "fancy" and in general just "cool". They really did not always have the best acting or story...but yah.

Don't get me wrong, I'd take Predator and Terminator over Sucker Punch. But I think putting things in perspective, there is simply so much more stuff to compare a new movie to nowadays...I mean what storyline, amazing graphics, cool acting, memoriable dialogue is THAT new anymore?

Case in point, ALL of my friends who watched Watchman did not like it, while I enjoyed it a whole lot having known the comic book, while they came into the movie with ZERO knowledge of the storyline and original comic. I guess we appreciate a piece of literature, music, or movie based on many factors - what age were you when you watched it, what else did you see back then, what can you compare it to..etc etc...

agree with you 100%

 

[CelticPredator]

While all opinions of the film are subjective, if this theatrical cut is exactly what Snyder intended, then he didn't really have a clear direction when he started out. The purpose of any media is to communicate and I think somewhere along the line the message got a bit muddled.

In my opinion, of course.

It was cut down.

 

[The Josh]

Case in point, ALL of my friends who watched Watchman did not like it, while I enjoyed it a whole lot having known the comic book, while they came into the movie with ZERO knowledge of the storyline and original comic. I guess we appreciate a piece of literature, music, or movie based on many factors - what age were you when you watched it, what else did you see back then, what can you compare it to..etc etc...

I think you nailed something there. I'll use the SW OT and PT as an example of your point. How and when you see something or your feelings about certain issues play a much larger part in how you like things or don't.

One thing for me when it comes to sucker punch. It was what I thought it was honestly. My expectations were higher than say Battle LA but still not super high because I knew what the film was gonna be. A 2 hour ride that would be fun. The ending was the only part for me that was any kind of a let down.

 

[hunnipot85]

Looking forward to these, so I guess this confirms Browning didn't have a solo dance:

Still, expect to see the full dance numbers on the eventual Sucker Punch DVD/Blu-ray release — including Jamie Chung’s French maid tango, a belly dance number by Vanessa Hudgens, and a show-stopper best described by Jena Malone herself: “I got to play sort of this sci-fi zombie-ish nurse… and I had to do a pole dance down a giant syringe. I start inside of the syringe and pole dance my way down the needle.”

 

[Darklord Dave]

I guess we'll have to agree to an impasse, Dave, as I thought the intent of the film was clear. I felt like I had as much of an understanding of the characters as Snyder had intended, and at no point was I confused with the storyline. However, I do understand how some people might not feel a connection with the characters or the plot. As I've said before, we all have our tastes, but I don't view the film as a failure on Snyder's part.

I feel like I understood it quite well - and the top level plot is quite clear. But if there is a presumption of a deeper psychological meaning - I think he failed. If there ISN'T the presumption of a deeper psychological meaning, then the entire film works even less well because such other levels are heavily implied.

However the fact that he's made me actually think about it, does make it more worthwhile endeavor than most eye-candy popcorn movies.

 

[jinxx]

There was a dance number during the credits!? Dang, missed it! I had to pee so bad! Anyhoo, it was ok. Forgettable, yes.

 

[hunnipot85]

It was a song performed by Carla Gugino and the guy who played Blue. It had little clips of Blondie as a bellydancer, Amber as a french maid, Rocket as a nurse and Sweet Pea on a cross.

 

[devilof76]

Jesus f___. I haven't walked out of a movie in that condition since Passion of the Christ. The only difference was that Sucker Punch found its moment of redemption, where as the former did not. Atleast someone was saved at the end of this hell.

It's going to take me the better part of a month to process what I just saw. I have zero comprehension of how anyone could think it was shallow, trite, empty or otherwise brainless. If art is supposed to elicit a visceral reaction, then I got it, and I'm not particularly concerned if others did not. I just had my world rocked, and it wasn't on account of tits, ass and epic action sequences. I thought the action was great, and I thought the girls were hot without being the least bit slutty, but eye candy is the last thing I'd call any of it---I have too much respect for the character who dreamt it.

I need a drink.

 

[CelticPredator]

So...you liked it?

 

[devilof76]

No, I hated it.

And I'm pretty sure I was supposed to. Anyone who liked it wasn't paying attention. I want to kick Zack Snyder in the teeth for making me see that happen to that beautiful creature, which is why it was anything but a failure. There was no message. It was a tragedy, plain and simple. I wanted it to be anything but, and I got a rusty knife in the gut for it.

Damn fine work.

 

[tcollector]

Back from the movie, The wife and I were two of fourteen people in the theater. Went in with the lowest of expectations and that's what it lived up to. Both of us had the whole storyline figured out within the first fifteen minutes. Pretty to look at at times, strong action sequences but weak dialogue and development of the characters. My wife is a big sci-fi / horror movie fan (even the bad, direct to video type. ) Even she walked out with a wtf did I just watch expression on her face which is difficult cause she'll watch some real cr@p. I honestly could only give this an overall movie rating of a 4.5/10.

 

[CelticPredator]

Ehhhhh......

 

[MarfMaster]

However the fact that he's made me actually think about it, does make it more worthwhile endeavor than most eye-candy popcorn movies.

In the same way he tried to make you think about all the nonsensical philosophical bull____ that came out of the "mentor's" mouth all through the movie Meaningless dialogue attempting the give the movie some depth