Sucker Punch

I took a mental health day and went to see Sucker Punch. I've been excited about this film since I heard about it, I have a weak spot for ass-kicking chicks. However as most people know it's been getting horrible reviews. This terrified me, I was so worried that I'd go into this movie and it would disappoint me. I tried to keep my expectations low, going to see it just for the stunning visually that Zack Synder always delivers. What I got was so much more. To use the over used play on the tagline, I was unprepared.

Shortly after the movie started I realized it was not going to be what I was expecting and while I did see a lot of the plot coming it didn't annoy me. I found it comforting, in a film where so much is happening that is abnormal it was nice to not have an overly complicated plot to untangle. It took me a while to adjust to the different levels of reality, but once that happened I was enjoying it.

The biggest complaint that people have been having with the film is that it's anti-feminist and not empowering to woman at all. I completely disagree. I found it to be very empowering, not just to females but to everyone. [SPOILER] One of the main themes of the film is guardian angels and how they can take different forms to guide and save you, however this theme is not heavy in religion. By the end of the film the message is clear that each person in the audience has the weapons they need to survive. What I don't understand was how someone could say that isn't empowering? I walked out of the theaters feeling like I could take on the world.

As a regard to it being anti-feminist, the critics are using the argument about their skimpy costumes and sexy dance moves. Being a feminist does not mean that women need to become more masculine, not at all. Part of bring a woman is feeling comfortable as a woman, the film really presses this point. The girls use the fact that they are woman to get what they want from men, yes that is very true. But is that anti-feminist? No. There is nothing wrong with knowing how to get something from someone else, whether that person is male or female. Part of surviving is doing what needs to be done, I think the film was very clear that surviving was the point. These girls did nothing wrong by dancing for the men to achieve their goal, plus that part of the film was set in a brothel.

Overall, I gave the film ***** stars.
I thought it was creative and empowering. Very empowering.