SUCKER PUNCH

I

Zack Snyder stupefied everybody with his post-modern epic movie 300. Frank Miller had shown that kind of visual concept on his graphic novel, but we have never seen it on the big screen. And it was unique. Then it came Watchmen, another excellent adaptation of the same genre with maybe less impact on the box-office than its predecessor but with the same quality.

So when I first heard about Sucker Punch, I did nothing but to rise my expectations of what I thought, It would be the-next-Kill-bill. A female version of 300 in therms of power and strength.

The trailer was also appealing and I felt fortunate to have a double pass to the opening night. And then I watched the movie. 

II

From the very beginning it has the format of a high-definition musical video. And the soundtrack, I must say, it's good, an anthology of hit songs in renewed versions. The effects are good and the action sequences may be impressed in the world of  the video-games audience. Oscar Isaac is someone to watch, as well as in Agora, his character has shades and are well performed. 

The rest of it, its an authentic waste of money -not only to the spectator but to the producers-. It is a shame that the manufacture of the movie feels expensive, well-trained, but the screenplay was conspicuous by its absence. The main character, played by Emily Browning, feels so artificial and overacted, and so are the supporting ones including Abby Cornish, Jena Malone, and Vanessa Hudgens. Even Carla Gugino, who was very convincing in Watchmen, here feels like a cartoon. At least it should be appealing to lolita-style lovers. 

The leading lady lives little in the real world, then she goes to a second world when we can never enjoy anything and finally, she defends herself in the third world. Some kind of cheap copy of Inception without the good acting and good script. 

The whole movie easily falls for cliché. Submerged in visual allegories of the sub-worlds created by the heroin, whose best quality lies on hypnotizing clients with a dance so outstanding we never get to see. But as I said, accompanied with nice songs.

In the end, I felt absolutely cheated. 

To me, Snyder is a director with great potential, and with a strong personal style (a rare talent); but unfortunately, a weak screenwriter. I rather watch him working on projects like -his previous job on animation- Ga'Hoole, than in another movie with such a graphic power but a lack of content.

I told you: If it sucks, I will tell you… And I did!


__________________

I like this review: Reel views on Sucker Punch

Spanish version: Si lees español, quizá quieras ver lo que escribí en: Séptimo Sentido