Yet another Sucker Punch post.

[rogueslayer452]

I want to share this interview because within it, Jena Malone and Emily Browning discuss the very topic about how certain people are viewing Sucker Punch, which is for the boys more than the women, and they give an excellent response which mirrors my own opinion and view on the film as a whole in such a calm, polite and concise manner than how I could have placed it. I suggest everyone, especially those skeptical or hesitant about the movie due the negative reviews, to watch and see their response because I think they are spot-on what I have been feeling but couldn't articulate properly without getting into a particular rant about something or other. In fact, the majority of the interviews with the cast, Emily in particular, have them articulate so well about their views on the story of the film itself that I feel they understand it way more than anyone else does. Emily gives the best description about the meaning behind the film in this interview.

In light of that, here are some amazingly well-written counter-arguments regarding the film and the cynicism it's been receiving. I highly suggest taking a look, because they are all thought-provoking and worth the read (caution: some contain heavy spoilers for the film):


Sucker Punch Part 1: The Story That One One Is Talking About and Part 2: Women, Weapons and Self-Sacrifice

"A few more words on Sucker Punch" via yoonikim @ Tumblr

This is an excellent write-up response made by thecannibalcollective, which includes examples of other classic superheroes such as Catwoman and Wonder Woman who also dress in a provocative sense, however aren't deemed to be over-sexualized like many naysayers are saying is happening with the Sucker Punch ladies.

An excellent post breaking down the arguments and debunking them posted by shadrad

Feminism and Sucker Punch by revertigo, short but to the point.

"I like kicking ass in high heels. That doesn't mean I'm a bad feminist." by leupagus I highly recommend reading this one in particular because it's very well articulated on the fact that this film can, in fact, be viewed as a feminist film, just not a comfortable one. And I have to agree with certain points because following the story it is about the girls, just the outcome isn't what you expect it to be but it still is about them and their journey for survival and it pays off in the end.

Another post discussing what people are missing, with a Buffy quote to emphasis their point written by impertinence

Sucker Punch and mainstream feminism also written by impertinence, however with a personal anecdote attached which really shows just how mainstream feminism shouldn't be speaking for everyone and anyone, women especially, who have found something they liked, even empowering, about the movie that they deem to be sexist and anti-feminist. This is something I hugely agree with what this person is saying because it's the main problem I have with many mainstream feminists who consider themselves the voices of all women. Like I mentioned in my previous post, don't belittle my right to feel empowered just because you aren't.

"In conclusion, I stand by my 'it's Inception but a lot less dull and about misogyny' assessment." written by sohotrightnow giving the acknowledgment on what the film touches on, and turns it on its head that it's a good thing.

The problem isn't Zack Snyder. The problem is you. This article gives valid points about why certain people are jumping on the bandwagon of criticizing the film, why it's ridiculous and why they shouldn't. I don't necessarily agree with everything being said in the article, but it's an interesting read nonetheless.

In Defense of Sucker Punch: Uncovering the Method Behind Zack Snyder's Madness, which is a greatly detailed article and analysis.


When reading these articles and posts, I stumbled across the realization about why the knee-jerk reaction of criticism occurs, which is mainly due to the triggering themes and subject matter. However this reaction is often misdirected which leads to blaming the film and calling it sexist instead of focusing on the bigger picture of what the story was actually representing. One doesn't have to like the film by any means, but there's a difference between that and blaming the film/director in its entirety.

Comments

[kalikahuntress.livejournal.com]

Kind of nodding a long here, I got spoiled for the ending and my only real beef with the film is I find those kind of endings unsatisfying. I have issues with Zach Snyder but I don't feel the sexism allegations towards this film makes sense. What is sexist is Hollywood's inability to give women leading roles; look at 95% of movies. Women and POC are still supporting characters or love interest, and a women is pretty much only a lead if she is a love interest or if it's a chick flick. Now that concerns me, not hot chicks kicking ass. Kudos to Sucker Punch having a lead cast of women thank you very much who do more than cry and moon over a man.
Which is why I am more invested in TV as a media for entertainment; they at least have started to have women who do more than cry, cling or stand in the back while the men get to do cool shit.
Thanks for the links; even the second last one is hilariously bad. The poor man.

[aubade-saudade.livejournal.com]

i just came from watching the film and i didn't find the ending unsatisfying at all. in fact, it was bizarrely uplifting which i didn't think would happen from what i had been told of the ending by a friend.

[kalikahuntress.livejournal.com]

I am still going to watch despite knowing the ending, but I will wait for DVD whereas before I wanted to see it in theaters.

[aubade-saudade.livejournal.com]

hmm, not the same, bb, with this type of film it's a crime not to see it in all its cinematic glory, but i understand the fear. totally.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Considering that they cut so much from the movie anyway, including the one that Emily Browning was enraged at the MPAA for forcing it to be taken away, along with the extended ending which would have given more sense to what was happening (and possibly a little less unsatisfactory), that's understandable.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Gah, I'm sorry that you got spoiled! D: Should've thought about that when placing the links up.

And I completely agree with you, rarely do we see an entire female ensemble cast that have absolutely nothing to do with dwelling over a guy or comedic chick flick romances, and even very rarely do we see women in such roles for action-fantasy kind of films. So something like this should be celebrated, I think, in terms of having the guts to bring to the screen not just having an all-girl cast kicking ass but also presenting a heavy issue that has stirred up all this controversy, i.e. the sexism and objectification that occurs within the film and what the girls are fighting against. It blends the fantastical realm the film goes into with a disturbing reality and I think overall, this film is something else entirely that shouldn't be shunned by critics but looked at more closely.

[kalikahuntress.livejournal.com]

No worries, I spoiled myself early on since Hollywood has been a huge downer lately, I wanted to know what I was getting into. Maybe we will get that extended ending with the DVD/Blu-Ray release?

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping so, otherwise Emily (along with me, and everyone else) is going to be even more enraged.