Opinion on the Sucker Punch controversy.

[rogueslayer452]

I highly recommend reading this person's views and debunking of the arguments against the film which are perfectly articulated, however I do have some additional commentary and opinions of my own.

Everyone interprets things differently, have different perceptions and we're not always going to agree about everything. Some will like or possibly love a film, others won't. That's totally fine, to each their own and all of that jazz. But the amount of critical accusations against Sucker Punch are getting rather ridiculous, particularly the claims about it being "misogynistic" and "anti-feminist" and "exploitative of women." Throughout the film I never saw anything suggesting that, in fact I saw the exact opposite. While there are darker themes it's a fantastical world which deals with the coping mechanisms of those trapped in an ugly reality, and handling it with the power of their minds. That's it. While there may be some flaws here and there, overall there's nothing anti-women about it from where I stand.

Oh, and I also don't appreciate being accused of "supporting sexism against women" because I enjoyed the film or because don't agree with your stances. If I was entertained or felt empowered by such things, then that is my right. Don't say I'm wrong just because I don't agree with your viewpoints, and don't tell me how to feel because I am a woman and should feel "ashamed" for liking something that you disagree with.

Don't fucking speak for me, or for any other woman out there as a matter of fact.

Sucker Punch is no Black Swan or Inception by any means, but there is a story being told and a message that is being conveyed. At the end of the day, it's a fun action-packed fantastical world where girls are kicking ass. And what's wrong with that? Furthermore, what's wrong with a little campy fun in films without it getting mobbed by critics? Why does everything have to be either extraordinary or godawful to the point where everyone is bashing it all to hell? I don't get it. Why can't we have a happy medium, where something is kickass, visually stunning and fun at the same time?

Bottom line: Don't listen to critics who don't know shit, and don't follow the line of bitter reviewers. Just watch and judge for yourself and make your own opinions based on what you go into the movie for and what you yourself take out from it.

Comments

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I feel like this has more to do with the way they look sexualized maybe? In which case, um, HAVE YOU PEOPLE SEEN ACTION MOVIES? We do that to our men too. And I enjoy that.

I definitely think that is a huge factor in this, yes. Of course this makes me wonder about other action-fantasy films that have women in such scantily clad outfits and in similar situations, and whether these so-called feminists have the same immediate reaction...or is it different because Sucker Punch is all female-based and, how dare they try to claim this to be empowering! These girls are in fantasy-type clothing that sexualizes them! The nerve of this male director! *rolls eyes*

Re: the objectifying thing, I think many feminists feel that men in similar situations are different because they don't care, since men aren't oppressed in that way, whereas women have a history of being viewed as sexual objects therefore using such imagery (sexy schoolgirl uniforms, scantily dressed inside of a brothel, etc) is notorious of women being both objectified and victimized for the male gaze. However, in the film that may be what one sees on the surface, but the entire time it is the girls who are taking control and the power, using it to their advantage and taking back what their male oppressors are taking away from them and fighting for their freedom. So really, I can see where people can have issues with it, but the story itself doesn't revolve around the men, it revolves around the girls.

Honestly, it's ridiculous and I feel horrible for the backlash it has been receiving, because I really loved the film and I felt it's something people really need to step back and stop being so heavily critical about. It's pure escapism, it's not a politically correct kind of movie. It's about the girls and their stories, which yes is kind of dark and bittersweet underneath the fantastical layers but really, I would have been disappointed if there hadn't been considering how everything was an allegory in the first place.

Judging from the interviews with the actresses, they all felt empowered and revved up from filming. I felt empowered and wanting to be all kickass actiony once I left the theater. Isn't that what the entire point was about? idgi....

[forwardish]

Yeah, that's something people bring up in classes I've taken with gender studies issues, because men aren't oppressed. I think it depends on context. Like, terminatrix's BOOBS growing in T3 was kind of unnecessary and crass to me, but also kind of hilarious? IDK.

It bothers me when people complain about the sexualization of women taking control of things and being BAMFs because as a woman, I think that is in fact SEXY and empowering, and so there's nothing wrong with expressing that in leather and stillettos... not practical, but action sequences and scenes never are.

Hey, I actually liked catwoman's outfit though.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

It bothers me when people complain about the sexualization of women taking control of things and being BAMFs because as a woman, I think that is in fact SEXY and empowering, and so there's nothing wrong with expressing that in leather and stillettos... not practical, but action sequences and scenes never are.

Word, to all of this.

Watching the film where women are kicking ass and taking control, and wearing bamf!outfits in the process? That's a total win for me. I feel empowered seeing women being badass and taking back that control, and using such devices to manipulate and defeat their male oppressors, which is precisely what the girls in this film were doing. I think these people who end up complaining are overanalyzing far too much.