Idiosyncratic, atmospheric and engaging fantasy

Rating: 8/10 (5 July 2020)

With its rustic-futuristic visuals, synergic use of classic rock music, overt sexuality, and dreamlike action sequences, "Sucker Punch" feels like a live action homage to 1981's "Heavy Metal" with a heaping helping of "Matrix" folded in for good measure. Excellent, quirky performances from a bevy of skilled young actresses serve to enhance the idiosyncratic nature of this film.
From its atmospheric use of color to its smallest detail (think a snowflake melting on an eyelash), "Sucker Punch" is a visual feast. The movie sounds great, too. Contemporary versions of songs like "White Rabbit," "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," and "Love is the Drug," to name a few, harmonize well with both the imagery and the unique, fantasy-within-a-dream storyline.
Like many, I'm scraping the bottom of the Netflix quarantine barrel and wasn't expecting much more than a forgettable distraction from this movie. I couldn't possibly have been more pleasantly surprised. "Sucker Punch" grabbed me from its third-wall-busting opening shot and held my attention right to the eyebrow-raising ending. I'll be watching again. Soon.
8½ stars.