Sucker Punches the Imagination.

Rating: 9/10 (25 May 2015)

Sucker Punch (2011): Dir: Zack Snyder / Cast: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung: Video game action film about survival. It stars Emily Browning as Baby Doll whose mother passed at a young age. She is sent to an institution when her stepfather murders her sister and frames her. She meets Rocket and her bold sister Sweet Pea as well as a slew of others. The place is run like a brothel for wealthy males for whom they dance for. Baby Doll mesmerizes them with her performance but she is really escaping through her mind where she is given instructions to her freedom. She is told that she needs particular items before freedom is met. The other girls decide to assist her in order to obtain the opportunity for freedom as well. Stylishly directed by Zack Snyder who previously made the underrated Watchmen as well as 300. Browning is dazzling. We never see her dance but her imagination is aflame with giants, dragons, and war zombies. It is unfortunate that the stepfather situation that landed her there is never solved but she remains strong. Abbie Cornish plays Sweet Pea who is reluctant to help Baby Doll but she ends up being to strongest willed of them all. Jena Malone as Rocket is Sweet Pea's younger sister. She is saved by Baby Doll when the cook attempts to rape her. She will understand later what sacrifice is all about. Vanessa Hudgens as Blondie becomes a snitch but her handling is too abrupt. Finally there is Jamie Chung as Amber who performs her own dance for the mayor when his lighter needs lifted. Our imagination aids us and sucker punches viewers with exquisite visual mind screw. Score: 9 / 10