Movie Review: Sucker Punch a month later
Topic: Movies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw Sucker Punch about a month ago. Seems late to do a review of it now, but sometimes your initial impression of a movie changes over time. Maybe more movie reviews should be done weeks later.

I feel Sucker Punch didn't quite get the credit it deserves.  In fact, I might do a whole series of reviews of under-appreciated movies. (expect discussions on the movies Jumper, Blade 3, and the Star Wars prequels, yeah you  heard me)

There has been criticism that the story was weak, or the premise was ridiculous. These are from people who don't get it. Sucker Punch has insane asylum strippers taking on 50 foot tall samurai, zombie WWI soldiers, ogres and robots. Its like Zack Snyder read my mind. Like "Snakes on a Plane", Sucker Punch wins just by showing up. There were times I was laughing out loud at the sheer level of awesome.  Would have liked more of these scenes, but I can't hold that against the movie.

These were dream sequences inside of dream sequences. I had to ask myself though, would it have been better if it was just 45min of the action scenes strung together instead of a full movie with the outside story of the girls trying to escape. The answer is no. A certain level of emotional impact was added by this. Events in the outside world were reflected in the dream world. Also, there was a feeling of tradegy after seeing the girls as all powerful warriors who can do anything in one reality being mistreatred in the other realities by jerky guys abusing their position of power.

There was a strong amine influence, not just visually (note the mecha bunny) but the story itself would have made for great anime. I wouldn't be surprised if Snyder saw the anime movie Millennium Actress, a beautiful, touching movie that I also highly recommend. In it reality is constanly changing but the core character searching for her true love stays the same. I'm convinced if it was done with real actors today it would be considered for best picture. Look it up.

Back to Sucker Punch: It was hightly entertaining and in the same genre as Dinosaurs Robots Cheerleaders. In fact it could have been called "Dragons Robots Strippers".  It deserves a second look. The one good thing about the less than stellar reviews it received is that it will be out on DVD quicker. Can't wait to rewatch at home.

 

DH

Panel 4

Right now I've completed the pencils for chapter one (7 pages), currently inking page two.

Below are two versions of the 4th panel on page 5. 

here's the setup: Despite the warning from a certain cheerleader, some dude is about to make the mistake of thinking the coast is clear and walk out into the open and stare into the gaping maw of a T Rex, with partially chewed up human parts still visible between its teeth. Meanwhile you may notice a robot flying overhead. Version One:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and version Two:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm leaning towards version two. Better, more exciting view of our cheerleader heroine. A little more ambitious maybe than I can actually pull off, but I'm trying to go with the feeling that whenever the action kicks in (which should be almost always) it looks like the "camera man" is off balance and doesn't quite get everything in the shot. Any thoughts, let me know.

 

Also this week I bring you another version of my rough pencils (lets face it, all my pencils are pretty rough) for the new cover image. Bigger and more details filled in. I improved the dinosaur in the foreground a little. Enjoy.

 

 

 

 

FIRST!

First Entry:

Welcome to Dinosaurs!Robots!Cheerleaders! A web comic about samurai robots, super powered cheerleaders and dinosaurs from outer space!

The first chapter will be released the 4th of July weekend. In the meantime, I will be providing weekly blog updates discussing my progress, my thoughts, and whatever else I feel is actually worth reading. I promise no entries like: "I'm feeling tired, see you next week".

For example, here is what will become the new cover page image. I wanted something that was more interesting than what I currently have on the main page. Something like this, showing chaotic dinosoaur on robot on cheerleader action. At this point its the rough pencils; I still need to work on some of the details on the robot and the girls in the foreground. Once I'm satisfied, I'll ink it in and scan it for computer coloring.  Enjoy.