REVIEW: ‘Punch’ is more of a mind-twist
I have been excited for “Sucker Punch” since I saw the first trailer. It looked like it would be an exciting action adventure story about escaping reality through the mind, and it certainly delivered.
In the beginning, a double curtain lifts, as if the movie is a story within a story. A mother dies and is buried. Her husband reads the last will and testament and discovers that she had left everything to her daughters, his stepdaughters.
In a greedy and drunken rage, he goes to kill the girls. The older daughter (Emily Browning) gets trapped in her room while the stepfather goes after the younger with a knife. The police later get called and the older daughter gets taken to an insane asylum on false charges.
Once inside the institution, she is quickly nicknamed “Baby Doll.” As she is shown around the asylum, it becomes apparent that the asylum is a front for all sorts of illegal activities, including gambling, drugs and weapons.
Early on, Baby Doll overhears the owner of the establishment, Blue (Oscar Isaac), say she has five days until she will receive a lobotomy, which would result in a loss of brain function. With few options and little time, she decides to escape the facility. That’s when the real adventure begins.
One of the reasons I like “Sucker Punch” is that it is a completely unique movie. I’ve never seen anything like it before.
“Sucker Punch” is a thinking movie, and I liked it for that aspect. There was plenty of philosophy that made the movie great. The deep psychological layers upon layers added an unexpected but enjoyable complexity to the movie.
The entire movie is full of visual effects and amazing camera shots. I was impressed with the way writer/director Zack Snyder told his imaginative story.
Using fantasy versions of feudal Japan, World War II, a medieval castle and a mechanized planet as the various settings for the mind sequences provided for growth in the journey of the characters. Snyder made a point of showing that the battles of the mind are the most important battles we fight, and we are the most powerful in our mind.
Although advertised as a heavy action movie, “Sucker Punch” wasn’t that way. The action sequences were shorter than I would have liked, but remembering that it was a representation of everything Baby Doll was thinking rectified the situation. That said, the action was exciting and well choreographed.
Most of the movie was about the escape plan and the challenges the women endured while at the asylum. The resolution was different than I wanted, and that took some of my enthusiasm away.
“Sucker Punch” has thematic sexual material without being overtly sexual. The language was relatively minimal for a PG-13 movie. I was surprised at Zack Snyder’s efforts to tone his movie down from an R rating, and he did it effectively.
Browning, best known for playing Violet in “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” does a great job at portraying all aspects of Baby Doll’s character – the hurt, the leadership and the ferocity. She’s an up-and-coming actress, so be prepared to see more from her in the future.
Abbie Cornish previously worked with Snyder in “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole.” In “Sucker Punch” she plays Sweet Pea and is the leader of the group of girls at the asylum. In Baby Doll’s mind retreats, Sweet Pea carries a sword, but unfortunately never uses it, choosing instead to stick to her guns.
Jena Malone plays Sweet Pea’s little sister Rocket. She and Baby Doll bond quickly, and they help protect each other. Malone has played minor supportive roles in the past, most notably in the 2005 version of “Pride and Prejudice,” and I expect her to move up in the ranks in future years.
Vanessa Hudgens doesn’t do any singing and dancing in “Sucker Punch.” Rather, she wields two tomahawks and heavy supportive artillery in Baby Dolls’ mind. She surprised me as an action character. My bet is that she’ll become a force to reckon with in the movie industry.
Carla Gugino, who worked with Snyder in “Watchmen,” plays Dr. Vera Gorski, an instructor and psychologist at the asylum who teaches the girls how to do their job well while remaining free in their minds.
Scott Glenn is fantastic as Wise Man, the strong and caring guide in Baby Doll’s mind that helps her figure out exactly what she needs to do and how she needs to do it. Although he’s not in most of the movie, his advice stays with you throughout.
“Sucker Punch” gives its title term a whole new meaning.
– Spencer Palmer is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in math. He enjoys watching new movies, old movies and the movies in between. His reviews come out every other week. E-mail him at spencer.palmer@aggiemail.usu.edu.