SYNOPSIS: Sucker Punch is an epic action fantasy that takes us into the vivid imagination of a young girl whose dream world provides the ultimate escape from her darker reality. Unrestrained by the boundaries of time and place, she is free to go where her mind takes her, and her incredible adventures blur the lines between what’s real and what is imaginary.

She has been locked away against her will, but Babydoll (Emily Browning) has not lost her will to survive. Determined to fight for her freedom, she urges four other young girls—the outspoken Rocket (Jena Malone), the street-smart Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens), the fiercely loyal Amber (Jamie Chung) and the reluctant Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish)—to band together and try to escape their terrible fate at the hands of their captors, Blue (Oscar Isaac), Madam Gorski (Carla Gugino) and the High Roller (Jon Hamm). 

Led by Babydoll, the girls engage in fantastical warfare against everything from samurais to serpents, with a virtual arsenal at their disposal. Together, they must decide what they are willing to sacrifice in order to stay alive. But with the help of a Wise Man (Scott Glenn), their unbelievable journey—if they succeed—will set them free.

REVIEW: What a fantasy! What a dream! What imagination! What eye candy! In the end, that’s what this film is mostly about, eye candy. It comes in the form of incredible visuals and mind bending ideas. As the movie poster and TV commercials claim, you will be unprepared, and it’s true, or at least visually. First and foremost, you need to keep in mind that this movie was made and directed by the same folks that did 300 and Watchmen. Having that in mind you will be a little better than unprepared to see this movie. You can expect a similar look and feel. The cinematography is sharp, the action sequences are mesmerizing, and the exaggeration is abundant of course. There is a lot going on most of the time so you won’t be bored, but again, it is mostly visual stimulation. Believe it or not there is a story in the midst of all this and it’s not a bad one. But the focus is on the visual. Did I mention that the movie is visually stunning? And yes, I am a guy and I have to mention that all the girls were just as stunning. Starting from the sensual Carla Gugino (one of my favorites) to the star of the show, Emily Browning, and everybody in between, the girls all look really good. I hadn’t seen Emily since A Series of Unfortunate Events and I thought back then that she was going to grow up to be a beautiful woman. Yeap! Each of the girls that make up the rest of the team is just as beautiful as the next. We have Jena Malone, Jamie Chung, Vanessa Hudgens, and the Charlize Theron look-a-like Abbie Cornish. It doesn’t hurt that the costumes used in the movie are very sexy and flattering. The movie as a whole is extremely sexy and yet not overly sexual. I liked the fact that the movie is a PG-13 that doesn’t push the envelope and it doesn’t need to. Everything that would push toward an R rating is implied but barely seen, including any sexuality, profanity, and gory violence. For example, the movie does have plenty of violence but it’s toned down to where there is very little gore. It keeps the fantasy aspect intact. Even without the gore, the gun play and sword play is excellent. Gamers would really enjoy this movie.

The actors’ performances are generally shadowed by the rest of what’s going on in the movie. There are a few that do stand out a bit. Carla Gugino always turns in a good performance especially in these unorthodox kind of movies, such as in Sin City and Watchmen. Oscar Isaac was cold and disturbing. At some moments you might think that he belongs there as a patient and not an orderly. Of the girls, Abbie Cornish gives the most moving performance but as far as characters are concerned, Emily’s character, being the main character, is really the only one you attach to. The remaining characters are not well developed. The special effects, however, are well developed and thrilling, not the best ever but good enough. Did I mention that this movie is visually amazing? The music used throughout the movie really adds to the intensity of each scene and sets the right mood. There are some downsides to this movie like the weak character development. The cohesiveness of the story is not that strong either. I think it is so appropriate that one of the production companies involved with this film is called Cruel and Unusual Films. Perfect. Zack Snyder, who directed and co-wrote the screenplay, is on a role and has a niche in this particular look for movies that I for one enjoy. I say keep ‘em comin.