This Riot Girl Film Lives To Its' Name with Pride

Rating: 9/10 (25 March 2011)

Where the hell do you go when you've made a remake of a classic zombie film, two graphic novel adaptations (the former about heroic Spartan warriors; the latter dysfunctional superheroes during the Cold War) and an animated take on valiant owls based on a kids' book? You get to take on Supermanbut, first, you direct an "everything but the kitchen sink" fantasy opus. That's what "Sucker Punch" is, the fifth film by Zack Snyder, and both are unabashedly madcap.
Set in 1960s Vermont, reality is hell for pre-teen Babydoll (doe-eyed Emily Browning of "A Series of Unfortunate Events"). After her mom dies, her stepdad nearly molesting her and her kid sister accidentally killed during a defense, she's committed to an all-girl's asylum, co-managed by dutiful shrink Dr. Gorski, (heavy-Polish voiced Carla Gugino of "Elektra Luxx" and "Sin City") and morally dubious security chief Blue (Oscar Issac of Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood").
The place's no picnic, but Babydoll retreats to her off-beat imagination, where the asylum's a burlesque hall/bordello; Blue and Gorski run the joint and she and the four inmates she's close to-siblings Sweetpea (mature Abbie Cornish of "Bright Star" and "Legend of the Guardians") and Rocket (Joan Cusack-like Jena Malone of "Donnie Darko"); Amber (Jamie Chung of "Sorority Row") and Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens of the High School Musicals films) are "the talent".
The four are also Babydoll's comrades in her fantasies as she dances off-screen; the quintet are gun-toting, sword-wielding bad ass girls, assigned by the mysterious sage Wiseman (Scott Glenn of "Training Day", "The Right Stuff" and a good bud of Mr. Snyder's) to retrieve five items that can liberate them. Giant stone samurais, German army zombies, ogre knights, robots, a fire-breathing dragon and Blue are in the way. Girl Power Go!
"Punch", at 120 minutes, can be easily dismissed as a fringe pop culture heap, but only if you've never grew up with comic books, Heavy Metal magazine, anime and video games (Go join a bingo club, you old farts!!!). Snyder ("Guardians", "Watchmen","300", the Dawn of the Dead remake) and co-scribe/school chum Steve Shibuya (a vet production hand who worked on the cult film, "Killer Klowns From Outer Space") have, and they're not ashamed. Why should they, having typed a passion project that's trippy and layered? There are also the elements of hypocrisy, individualism, sexual objectification, pedophilia (borderlined to get a PG-13 rating) and fetishism. At the helm, Snyder's a kid in a candy store with his trademark slow-motion action and intricate shots (courtesy of d.p. Larry Fong). Imagine Sam Peckinpah as a fanboy, and you got Zack Snyder.
Human dramatics are simple but powerful here, thanks to the cast; ladies Browning, Cornish and Malone stand out from the five. Mr. Issac's creepy misogynistic as a security capo (reality) and a mustachioed, Dean Martin-like pimp. Ms. Gugino (also of "Watchmen") is durable as a mother hen to the girls. The appearance of Jon Hamm ("Mad Men", "The Town") as a lobotomist is strange but story vital. Mr. Glenn nicely echoes the late David Carradine while sharing the same costume sense as Sam Jackson in "The Spirit". Look out for Zack's cub, Eli, and win a prize! Most of Zack's production posse's here, including wardrobe guru Mike Wilkinson and music man Tyler Bates (helped by Marcus DeVries).
Even if they don't see the plot's twist, gamers and riot girls will swoon after "Sucker Punch" hits them. They won't mind the ice pack against their cheek.