Sucker Punch

One of the things I've wanted to do with this blog is write reviews for movies I see. I'm so glad to be able to have this first review be of a film by one of my favorite filmmakers, Zack Snyder. This film of his is called SUCKER PUNCH.

Short version, Sucker Punch is about a group of girls within an insane asylum looking for a way out. They cope with things by entering their collective imaginations, empowering themselves into ass-kicking heroes to deal with their lives.
This is a film that has numerous levels, depending on whom is seeing it. One of the coolest things going for this movie is that it's definitely a love note of sorts by Snyder to his fellow fanboy/geek culture community. A smart move too, considering it's now the largest, most money earning demographic out there. Hollywood exists because Geeks say so, and this film is a prime example of that. It touches on and blends numerous genres that geek culture embraces, including sci-fi, fantasy, anime, steampunk, kung fu, war films and good ol' girls-with-guns flicks.
Having said all that, there is something built in deeper with this story as well. At first glance, it would look like something pandering to guys, what with the school girl outfits and lolita-like swordplay. But it soon becomes apparent there is much more going on here.
When it comes right down to it, this film is actually about female empowerment. These girls, who are forced to struggle though a meek and horrid life, work to find ways to rise above it all.
Is it a perfect film? No. But it's certainly a great one. I would rate Sucker Punch as second only to Watchmen in terms of films Snyder has done. It makes me far more confident in the new Superman that he is making it. My only concern is that perhaps Sucker Punch a film not meant for everyone to see, and that some will always fail to see beyond just the eye candy towards the symbolic meaning beneath.
In the end though it was an awesome ride, and something I will remember for some time.