Tordmor comments on January 2012 Media Thread - Less Wrong

5 [deleted] 01 January 2012 05:24PM

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Comment author: [deleted] 01 January 2012 10:39:16PM 2 points [-]

I thought Sucker Punch was a great idea that has been completely ruined. It had the potential of being the new Matrix but they botched it.

  • The characters were too one-dimensional
  • The link between the layers has not been presented well, e.g. theres only one mention in the asylum of the girl starting a fire. Granted they didn't want to give it away too early, but there really should have been some visual link, even if it had been just a scorched room.
  • You never see the girl actually dance, which given the premise of the film is a mature omission
  • The end with the bus driver/guide seems too forced.

This being said, the soundtrack is great and the visuals are good.

Comment author: wedrifid 01 January 2012 11:41:47PM 1 point [-]

You never see the girl actually dance, which given the premise of the film is a mature omission

I'd say the reverse. :)

As for the movie... the idea of watching a movie which ends with the protagonist being lobotomized is abhorrent to me. It would be more distressing than simple death.

Comment author: [deleted] 01 January 2012 11:51:30PM *  2 points [-]

Surely you except Brazil.

Comment author: buybuydandavis 25 May 2014 10:47:01AM 0 points [-]

The story wasn't actually about Baby Doll, it was about Sweat Pea.

But in the Baby Doll story, she won.The world is an imperfect place, sometimes the protagonist doesn't survive, but she did win, both in her story, and in taking Sweet Pea beyond her story, and getting her home.

Comment author: Dr_Manhattan 02 January 2012 11:05:44PM *  0 points [-]

the idea of watching a movie which ends with the protagonist being lobotomized is abhorrent to me. It would be more distressing than simple death.

Which rules out the only other movie with this type of ending that I know of - One Flew Over Cukoo's Nest - which was actually great. Suckerpunch sucked for me, I expected Zach Snyder to do much better based on Watchmen. Hopefully better next time.

Comment author: taelor 03 January 2012 03:15:39AM 3 points [-]

Shutter Island also ends with a labotomy. Speaking of which, I found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable film. The plot was a bit weak (an astute viewer should be able to see most of th twists well in advance), but the acting, direction and general mise-en-scène more than make up for this.

Comment author: buybuydandavis 01 January 2012 11:21:59PM *  0 points [-]

I'm glad it didn't become the New Matrix, which started with some decent ideas, but devolved into standard scifi/fantasy with All Powerful Hero.

On your points.

I don't have a problem with the one-dimensional characters, because I see them as serving functional roles in a symbolic narrative - the point is to fulfill the effect.

I thought the link between layers was fine, but more importantly, the link to us was very well done.

Not seeing her dance was a practical necessity. What would she have actually been able to do that would have warranted the reactions she received?

I also disliked the bus driver bit, because it seemed to subvert the entire point for me. The voice over of Sweet Pea says early on that our angels "aren't here to fight our battles, but to whisper from our hearts, reminding that it's us, it’s every one of us who holds power over the world we create." Yet there is the bus driver, saving her bacon at the end.

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