Zack Snyder Finally Speaks Out on His Controversial Bombshell, 12 Years On
Zack Snyder opens up about his highly criticized film, Sucker Punch, after 12 years, expressing his disappointment with the negative reception
Summary
Director Zack Snyder reflects on the negative response to Sucker Punch, stating that the main criticism was that it was too exploitative.
Snyder's defense of the film emphasizes that the action sequences were intended to evoke a sense of lyricism and bliss instead of tension and danger. However, critics argued that Sucker Punch focused too much on style and neglected to properly portray female characters, resulting in the film's failure at the box office.
Sucker Punch director Zack Snyder recently discussed the negative reactions to his film, released 12 years ago. The 2011 movie marked Snyder's first venture into an original concept, where he co-wrote the screenplay with Steve Shibuya. Starring Emily Browning as the lead character Babydoll, the film follows her journey through different fantasy worlds where she and her companions possess extraordinary combat skills.
In a recent interview with Letterboxd focusing on Sucker Punch, Snyder reflects on the mixed response to the movie. He shares his original intentions for certain aspects of the film that faced criticism and defends it against accusations of being "exploitative". Read Snyder's full statement below:
The primary critique of the film, in my opinion, was its perceived exploitative nature. Many viewers mistakenly focused solely on the girls' fights and other elements, overlooking the deeper meaning. I found this somewhat disheartening...
The reason being that the action in the movie always served as a metaphor for dance. Therefore, the tension experienced in a typical heist film may not be present, but the film can still be interpreted as a heist movie in some ways. The girls have to gather all the necessary objects, which is a vital part of this genre. Their mission involves collecting these talismans, and when combined, these talismans serve as their means of escape.
"When working on the action sequences with Damon Caro, I always strived for a more blissful and lyrical tone, rather than intense. My focus was not primarily on the danger, but rather on the empowering and blissful feeling that Babydoll experiences in those moments. The dance embodies her power, encompassing her sexuality, athleticism, and overall essence.
Every movement she makes is empowered, seductive, and capable of destroying worlds. I wanted her to be invincible during the action sequences, even though it somewhat contradicts the concept of action. The only time she shows vulnerability is in the final action sequence when Jenna gets stabbed. However, even then, she manages to regain control, partly through the combination of music."
Why The Sucker Punch Reviews Were So Negative
The concept of music, movement, and spectacle as an irresistible drug captivated me. The 'Love is the Drug' scene, featuring the delightful dance number of Oscar Isaac and Carla Gugino, epitomizes the sheer enjoyment in the movie. This sequence portrays a typical day in the character's lives, effectively portraying the social dynamics of the place. It was a delightful approach to illustrate what is witnessed during Baby Doll's normal dance routines.
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The Rotten Tomatoes score for Sucker Punch is currently the lowest in Snyder's entire career, standing at a mere 22%. Although the audience score of 47% is slightly better, it still remains as the filmmaker's lowest rating. While negative reviews do not always reflect the box office performance, in this instance they do, as Sucker Punch earned a disappointing $89.8 million with an $82 million budget.
Sucker Punch's portrayal of female characters and its style over substance were major criticisms raised by reviewers. Variety described the film as "fantasy fodder for 13-year-old guys," The Hollywood Reporter called it "largely grim and unpleasant," and IndieWire dismissed it as "all cool bullsh-t, no real meaning." While not all reviews were as negative, the overall sentiment toward the film was clearly unfavorable. Snyder's intentions, as explained in his comment, may offer some insight, but ultimately, execution is what matters to audiences. In recent years, there has been some reevaluation of the film, and Snyder's planned director's cut of Sucker Punch may address the common complaints and clarify his intentions further.
Source: Letterboxd
