MOVIE REVIEW - Sucker Punch

The latest motion picture based on a graphic novel is in theaters this week. This time it's Sucker Punch.

What the heck is this thing anyway? This horribly conceived, mess of a movie is proof positive that some things that roll around in some dude's brain is better off staying there. I would try to explain this movie to you here, but to be honest it really can't be done effectively. Here or on the screen. This is what you can chew on to give you an idea what Sucker Punch is all about.

It's about a bunch of hot young women, that are sentenced to an insane asylum back in the day. Then because they can, the writers and director make these five women who are being used as prostitutes in prison some form of superhero's. They then spend scene after scene wearing virtually no clothes and high heels fighting serpents, zombies of sorts, dragons, in the trenches of WWI, and various other moments in time. All done is huge special effects scenes that go on and on...and on. They do this trying to escape and find their freedom.

There are plenty of shots of these women jumping around like the Matrix, blowing things up, shooting, stabbing, killing anything in their way, and generally doing it in the most suggestive way that you can probably get away with. Most of the time wearing thigh high stockings, leotards, and short skirts. Does any of this really make any sense? No, not really. This is just some dudes fantasy come to life. And while no one likes to quash anyone's creativity, and we all have different opinions about what is worth seeing at the movies, this just doesn't work.

Sucker Punch looks, feels, sounds and has all the trappings of a video game. And maybe a darn good one. But these graphic novels are starting to become a force at the movies, Sucker Punch is one too many, too fast. 300, and Watchmen (same makers) each have good moments and really set the stage for the new genre of movie making. But you've got to be into comic books, video games and that kind of setting to really enjoy this kind of flick.

The long line of movies targeted at 20 year old boys continues to be the rule at the movies, and they will run to this one. There are worse things than watching good looking women at the movies. Sucker Punch for some will be visually stunning at times, but for many overall, will be silly and exploiting.