There is no middle ground here....

Rating: 9/10 (25 March 2011)

You are either going to love this film or hate it. There will be no middle ground with it. I absolutely loved it.
The story is simple; a young girl, Babydoll, is sent to a sanitarium by her uncle to keep her locked away. See, Babydoll and her sister were to inherit their mother's estate. But their uncle ceases control after Babydoll tragically kills her sister trying to defend them from her uncle. Baby doll creates a world within the sanitarium, a bordello, which she and the other girls live. Within that world she has another place she can go, a world for fighting. Each time she goes to the world, the backdrop is different; ancient China, WWII, Medieval and other worldly. Through these worlds, Babydoll and Co. fight their way to freedom.
Warning right up front, the film is chocked full of symbolism. The more you catch, the further into the film you will be. The imagery is absolutely fantastic. Another thing to get out of the way right off, yes, the girls are great looking. But all honesty, you get over that within a few minutes. There is so much going on, you get sucked into the story and their plight so hard, you forget about how they are dressed. For those critics who have spent time admonishing the seeming fetish fantasy overload, totally missed the point. I will let you experience the film and figure out for yourself what the outfits symbolize.
Scott Glenn enters the story at the beginning of each fight. He is there to instruct the girls and impart wisdom. Again, his presence is there for a reason, it is up to you to figure out the intent of his presence. Glenn is fantastic and is far more important to the film than I thought he would be. The continual symbolism makes this film fun because each person can bring something away that others might not have. Snyder obviously has his intentions, but ultimately he gives you just enough so that you can create the world a long with Babydoll.
All of the cast is great, not one person can you say doesn't bring their A-game to the proceedings. Emily Browning shoulders the lion share of time on screen and she is up to the task. Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, and Carla Gugino are wonderful. It is a shame many will dismiss their characters because of the clothes and setting. I can't for the life of me understand the criticism I have read from reviewers who say the film lacks soul. These ladies, to each one, bring you into the story and make you care beyond the guns and mayhem.
There is a lot of music that accompanies each scene. A mix of score and soundtrack music really sets the scenes. Snyder does an excellent job picking songs which have lyrical content in step with the scene, many times serving as the narrator.
I can't say enough good things about this film. It was right in my wheel house. It hit all the right beats and surpassed my expectations, which were raised through the trailers. It will not be for everyone, it will be a film that divides friends. That is the best kind of film that can create reactions on both sides. The worse thing that can be said about a film that it elicits no kind of reaction, this is not that kind of film.