Sterile

Rating: 5/10 (24 October 2011)

Basically "Sucker Punch" is an $80+ Million laser light show; projected laser beams set to music (in this case nicely produced by Marius De Vries and Tyler Bates). This type of entertainment was quite popular in the theaters during the 1970's (see "Freaks and Geeks") as a psychedelic entertainment (Pink Floyd, ELO, Blue Oyster Cult). Laser light was useful in entertainment because the coherent nature of laser light allows a narrow beam to be produced, so optical scanning can draw patterns and images on walls, ceilings or other surfaces. Reflected beams can be bounced to targeted positions with mirrors to create laser sculptures. Focused minds are held spellbound by the focused and concentrated light rays. With the advent of computer generated special effects, recreational drugs like ecstasy, and polysubstance use (kitty flipping anyone?); the light show has evolved into a feature film form. "Sucker Punch" being one of the most ambitious. One segment of the audience connects with this experience and another one does not, then both get on the internet and express disbelief that others are showing so much hate (or love) toward the film. Few find a middle ground as illustrated by the paucity of middle tier votes.
In the case of "Sucker Punch", far more were disappointed than were impressed. Much the same reaction occurred with Tim Burton's 2010 laser light show titled "Alice In Wonderland". So if you hated that film you would be wise to avoid "Sucker Punch". Although liking Burton's film is no guarantee that you will like "Sucker Punch", as Burton is a skilled acting for the camera director and there was simply no indication that such a skill set was present during the production phase of "Sucker Punch".
At about the 25 minute mark of "Sucker Punch" I was beginning to believe that it was something special. In just 25 minutes the film had taken its main character (nicely underplayed by Emily Browning) through three stages of madness. I was expecting this progression (or descent) into madness to continue in the manner of a high budget and surreal homage to Polanski's "Repulsion" (1965). That is as a hellbound train that never looks back; with it's heroine's point of view fracturing in a steady progression of more bizarre realities. Unfortunately, "Sucker Punch's" train spent itself in those early minutes and spends the remainder of the film disappointingly vacillating between the 2nd and 3rd stages of madness, before mercifully bookending itself with a return to the 1st stage.
The problem is that by its nature a laser light show lacks or struggles with certain cinematic elements; like audience to character identification, sensuality, suspense, and challenge to the imagination (there is nothing to imagine when the fundamental construct is one of visual illustration). Which is fine if you connect with what it brings (in place of these missing elements) to its audience; like off-kilter production design, dazzling special effects, eye-popping action. But it is important for a viewer to be aware of the nature and limitations of this type of entertainment if they are to avoid frustration and disappointment.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.