Sucker Punch reviewed by Mark Kermode

The Good Doctor takes a look at Zack Snyder's fantasy thriller about young girls in a mental institute.

[@Candystripedshredder]

I love how you can usually tell how much Mark hates a film by how blurry his hands are in the thumbnail.

[@krokelhead232]

I almost forgot to watch this today.

[@pacmansays]

'burlesque is stripping with A levels' fantastic line

[@asubjectiveopinion]

I haven't seen Sucker Punch but my 13 year-old son informs me that he found it "empty headed and immature" and, having seen some of the films he enjoys watching, that is truly damning.

[@Grigoris_]

I'm now interested in your son's take on Justice League.

[@BingoNamo-gb8pz]

@@Grigoris_has anyone actually watched that movie all the way through? I think I hit the 1 hr 20 mark, but I have no recollection of what was happening other than DareDevil recruiting people for some type of revolution I assume.

[@knifeofdunwall]

The most hilarious thing about this video is that this is how Zack Snyder actually sounds lol

[@antona.1327]

Eh, never saw anyone actually do a decent impression of Snyder. Kermode at least has the excuse of not trying to make a real impression, but all those YT clowns like ralphthemoviemaker and that corny guy from Channel Cringe can't do it even when trying. Which only shows how unfunny and bad they are at what they're doing, because Snyder has a very distinct intonation and speech patterns, as well as the use of gesticulation, to be a good subject for impersonation.

[@James_Lo]

@@thewitcherking937 it kinda is...

[@ah4866]

@@antona.1327 Zack Snyder is really bad with interviews and explaining himself in my opinion. He keeps stumbling over words and has as much coherence as his movies.

[@JMUDoc]

"The abusive father is... abusive..." Dr Mark Kermode, 2011 :D

[@RichLN]

I accidentally bought this in Tesco on my way home from the pub. I plan to hunt down Zack Snyder and punch him relentlessly in the face until he refunds me three of our British pounds.

[@summerscoming123]

The correct thing to do of course

[@backedup39]

Personally I just want to punch Zack Snyder. I don't need a reason.

[@TheManInTheLongBlackCoat]

Three pounds? You got robbed, old son!

[@EugeniuGaidim21021992]

You should watch it again, and if you don't get it, then I don't know what to say my friend. Search it on Google.

[@drdarkeny]

@@thewitcherking937 - you need to get out of your Mom's basement and meet some REAL women, rather than the pneumatic fantasy figures you're defending a Misogynistic Homophobic PoS like Zack Snyder for.

[@xindioka9489]

I love Kermode's reviews

[@flyingsquirrel111]

The more I watch Mark's reviews, the more I realize how terrible a director Snyder is.

[@crappymcdick]

Nah this is an embarrassing review that completely mischaracterized the movie and Snyder as a whole.

[@flyingsquirrel111]

@@crappymcdick nah, Sucker Punch ran out of gas by the end of the first act. The more I go back and watch his other movies, the less I like them.

[@michaelhawkins7389]

@@flyingsquirrel111 it comes down to personal opinion... not FACT. I loved this film I thought it was amazing and very emotional

[@sultanoftippoo3857]

The more I watch Marks reviews, the more I realise what a terrible critic this 1950’s throwback, privately educated, champagne socialist really is. A whole life devoted to talking about other peoples work.

[@weplayatnight3913]

You realize how bad a filmmaker someone is by listening to someone who isn't a filmmaker?

[@commieRob]

Kermode's impression is actually a more likable version of Snyder.

[@guyvizard549]

Watching this after having recently seen The Snyder Cut (I have to do the voice, now.) Nothing's really changed in his directing, as far as storytelling. Still dull. He KIND of does sound like that, if you consider Kermode's impression an exaggerated caricature. But the best part is the last line: "...do the pop video. At least it'll only be three minutes long." vs FOUR HOURS!!!

[@HotDogMarchant]

Why are some people criticizing (and outright insulting) Mark so much for his opinion on the film? You like the film, great, there's nothing wrong with that, but why do you think that because someone doesn't like a film you like it means that they "don't get it"? That argument works for 10 year olds who fall asleep halfway through The Godfather, but Mark's a smart guy, who clearly has a vast knowledge of films, he's not "not getting" anything, he just doesn't like the film. Opinions, they exist.

[@raknasemcensura]

I like when people say that we don't like the film because we didn't understand. When one of the things we don't like is that the obvious symbolism is explained in a loud voice And the whole film is already in the trailer. The man had the power to make a film with warrior fetish girls, giant samurais, dragons, nazi zombies powered by steam, BORING. A thing I tough would be impossible.

[@jankom.7783]

Baby Doll accidentally killed her sister in the beginning of the movie, and the rest of the movie is about her coping with it, and what she has to do to reach peace. Is that what you understood? Because it doesn't look like it by your description. That, and that you have all the power to decide your own fate. It took me like three days to get everything, what was going on. Awesome movie.

[@XhoowieX]

@@jankom.7783 You did a good job of proving the point of the comment you replied to.

[@jankom.7783]

@@XhoowieX And you seem like someone, who didn't understood the movie, but think he did.

[@XhoowieX]

@@jankom.7783 I haven't seen it mate.

[@jankom.7783]

@@XhoowieX So you don't even know, what you talk about, but somehow you feel confident to made that comment. That is what being dumb means.

[@aquapendulum]

This is a great movie when you're drunk, and I don't drink.

[@sweeperboy]

Now look here, Mark Kermode: if you're going to be a film reviewer, you need to get down off your damned fence when considering a film! Tell us what you really feel!!

[@madeoutofcake8444]

I feel unfiltered emotion in this review tho

[@Bagrah10]

The only character I cared about in this film was the dragon who had her baby killed and was then murdered herself. No one else engaged my sympathy.

[@Crowley9]

I shall forever more call him ZACH SNAIDAH! because of this.

[@blokey8]

Recently saw a poster carrying the legend "from the visionary director of Sucker Punch and 300". Err, I'll let del Toro get away with that, maybe Nolan as well. Not Snyder.

[@BeasleyOnFilm]

Kermode's Zack Snyder is probably my favourite one of his impressions. It's even better than Danny Dyer.

[@MattCipolla]

Seriously, Mr. Kermode is amazing. Needless to say that his Zack Snyder impression is fantastic.

[@DialB4Barber]

One can assign as much metaphorical, symbolic & thematic meaning as one likes to a picture such as this. Any efforts, though, to turn this utter travesty into anything remotely cerebral, will fail. This is a Zack Snyder picture. A man with a proven track record of making prosaic, adolescent and superficial movies.

[@Vindicator18]

I would really love a video of just Mark saying "Zack Snyder" over and over again for 1 hour. That could be a new sanity test.

[@YourSecuritySucks]

people keep over-blowing Nolan's involvement so, so much. The producer credit is little more than just for the posters and trailers, and both that and the 'writing' probably comprised of a few weeks of meetings and suggestions on the story. People seriously think Nolan's not-so-involved involvement is a stamp of "sheer and utter brilliant quality" when they're just being silly.

[@ixat00]

I loved how the girl was trying to keep from bursting in laughter around the 8:55 mark...

[@brennenspice6098]

I never found 300 the graphic novel to be that profound.

[@SebastianHalm]

When Mark reads the press release you know it is gonna be savage

[@sonofliberty1]

I was very much looking forward to Sucker Punch and thought that the visual style (Steam-Punk Burlesque) looked amazing in the trailers but I was so disappointed. I agree with Mark that this film is a pure bore with no substance. I am not a Snyder-hater either though. Yes, I generally agree with Dr. K but I think that Watchmen was a great adaptation (and yes, I was a fan of the Graphic Novel first ) and I think that Legend of the Guardians was very good too. Kermode's spot on here though.

[@ParkerStanfieldFilm]

Zack Snyder sounds like a frat boy. But Mark's impression isn't far off.

[@forizzer69]

I love it when Simon Mayo gets a bit snotty. Too, too, too funny when he completely owns a movie with his casual demeanor. "...and it wasn't going to be a proper film. That's what my assumption was" Haha, too good.

[@sarah7755]

The irony is he's saying Zack Snyder can't see anything beyond costumes and yet this guy missed the entire point of the movie and saw nothing but the costumes.

[@sarah7755]

@@plaidchuck some ppl learn a new phrase and then think it works anywhere.

[@sirmoanalot3779]

An abusive father who she has to “finish off” 😬

[@sjthjsdreadfather4867]

"An abusive step father who is after the inheritance after their mother dies. Who kills the main characters sister and commits her to an asylum to be lobotomised in order to claim the inheritance for himself"

[@1HalfASSreViewer]

Same pretty much goes for Synder's other films. Some people like to dispute that in the case of Watchmen, but it would've been much better had it been directed by Paul Greengrass or Terry Gilliam.

[@Rasectos]

Sucker Punch was atrociously horrible. It doesn't even warrant being called a "movie", it was just a random assortment of clips that you could find in video games or music videos. Ridiculous...

[@Joeysmith2]

@OptimusNice No he was saying that Zack Synder saw Watchmen as exclusively costumes, and completely misunderstood the political points to the graphic novel, and made the film about costumes. Plus he's not being literal he's making a point that the film Watchmen didn't work, which it didn't.

[@maniak1768]

ZACK SNYDER films are one of those things where 'guilty pleasure' stops being an acceptable excuse. I knew people who called him their favorite director, which is to me like saying that your favorite food are Twinkys

[@davidmorris993]

I don't mind SP, more could have been done to explore the reasons for the imprisonment and lobotimisation of the lead [this procedure is circa 1960-70] but the point is that is IS a fantasy of escape and not a real set of events. The need to find certain objects and form a group who can put a plan into practice is all in Baby Doll's mind as she faces a procedure that will mean her loss of identity and permanent institutalinism. To paraphrase "the thought of being lobotomised in the morning focusses a mind wonderfully". The male protagonist helps Baby Doll in her fantasy quest, but it is only that, a fantasy and if the dancing sequences are seen as that and not a reality and are her way of escaping from what will happen to her. Reading any more than that into the film misses the point entirely.

[@MichaelLeroi]

@edobriensgrin agree a billion percent. Right at the beginning Mark is complaining about how Snyder can't see beyond surface. No film in his catalogue encompasses that more than Yawn of the Dead

[@hihellothere100]

zack snyder: everybody i want to see everything in slow motion in my movies, because everybody thinks slow motion action scenes are cool. i'm zack snyder.

[@ThierryLoa]

After seeing Sucker Punch, I fear for the Superman Reboot which might end up being just another silly expensive movie about a man wearing spandex and a cap, flying and running around, showing muscle, and living in a videogame-like whimsical CGI environment. Why don't the exec. producers get another director to reboot Superman?

[@Dirkschneider]

7:45-8:03 I recognised this description from my own reaction to the action scenes in Batman VS Superman. That being said I enjoyed Watchmen and I thought 300 was visually impressive when it came out. I thought Batman VS Superman would be a decent movie, which it wasn't.

[@MrGlanex]

But did he like it or not? Im confused

[@nocreativename]

He didn’t like it. He’s saying it’s basically more focused on costumes with hardly any narrative.

[@Tymbus]

LOL "Jack Snyder is one of the worst story tellers in the world", "it's unbelievably dull" "I actually fell asleep" "Crushingly dull"

[@bordarboy]

@asbolus1 But Kermode isn't saying it's sexist, he's saying that its too dull and shallow to even be worthy of being sexist.

[@Shmulvey]

It is one of the most boring movies I've ever seen. Plus any movie that has at least 5 attempted rapes makes me worry about either the writer or director.

[@TarpeianRock]

300 and Sucker Punch : if you watch these and turn off your brain and just let the visuals float upon your retinas they’re quite good. Really. Were they ever meant to be taken seriously ??

[@a.z.p.]

The best part is that before this video started there was about ten minutes of "Zack Snyder! Zack SNYDER! ZACK Snyder!"

[@sengira]

Are you sure you didn't just see a different film? Because common consensus on this film is that it's pretty much *exactly* like the film Mark describes.

[@JackFou]

@markthor99 now the thing is, as I experienced the film, there actually is NOT plenty more to say about it. The idea behind SuckerPunch could have resulted in one of the best action movies in a long time. But it didn't! The movie is way to shallow in every respect. So I totally agree with the 'no characters - just costumes' bit of Mark. The girls in the film have no personality, I didn't care about what's going to happen to them, not the tiniest bit.

[@owaffs]

You're absolutely right. The only thing Sucker Punch has going for it is its visuals. I think Mark's analysis of Snyder is pretty much spot on. All he seems to care about (or be good at) is getting the costumes and visuals done right.

[@Maximillionaire666]

I really like Zack Snyder's movies (except Sucker Punch) but even still, I can always watch Mark's reviews. Great review.

[@law44uk]

It says "Unrendered" at 9:10 before you all ask.

[@sonofmerowing]

I do think they see things differently: Mark thinks the movie is misogynist, as far as I can tell, Bob says that's a misreading. "In order to get to the incredibly dubious sexual politics of it ... which are just unspeakably stupid ... " at about minute 6. I think he means to say that the movie is misogynist, but one could probably read that differently.

[@chubunakki]

Bob said that people missed the message because of all of the flash and imagery. Mark said that the flash and imagery was stupid and boring despite a potentially clever premise... I kind of agree with both of those things :). Plus didn't Bob mention some of the problems Mark raised as well?

[@solsdadio]

Watched it.........and never, ever again.

[@AndRiseUp]

I wasn't surprised Mark didn't get it, mainly because despite what Snyder appeared to be trying to do, it often just didn't work.

[@Hedge_witch]

He didn't get it, because there was nothing to get. You can't find depth or meaning in something with no depth or meaning. That's his whole point.

[@shrisiva4016]

​@@Hedge_witchThat's not true, there's obviously messages and themes in this movie about sexism

[@TheThing88]

@6000mphx Erm, nobody makes a film with the "intention" of being chauvinistic, that's absolute rubbish. A chauvinistic film is one that presents women as sex objects to be leered at by its audience - the thought behind it is "let's titillate our audience, they're not gonna empathise with a woman so let's put them all in sex costumes otherwise there's no point in them being there" not "hey, let's make this film chauvinistic because we hate women and all we want to do is insult them!"

[@ixat00]

Yeah. Watchmen disappointed me down to my ball hairs - the source material is great, but the direction was botched completely. I said as much on IMDb, and now they hate me.

[@primate924]

There's another way to interpret this film that actually gives it some value. Movie Bob made a great video about it. Give it a chance

[@lew.parker]

lol, Mark was definitely familiar with Zack's voice

[@jacktreble7356]

Watch his neck veins over the course of the review

[@checkoutgirl]

@ehmazin When I saw it in the cinema (on opening night) I thought I was going to need an arse transplant. It went on forever and included the most uncomfortable sex scene I have ever seen. When I came out of the cinema a bloke came over to me and asked what I thought. I said it was rubbish. "Was it like the comic" he persisted. I pointed him to the odd looking misfits a few yards away. Not my bag at all.

[@ManavKaushal]

after watching this, everyone says-'zack snyder' in a high pitched voice

[@V100BB]

300 was a mess.

[@berer.]

Usually I totally agree with Mark's assessment of movies but this time I think he missed some things that were going on in the film. It's more like she has psychotic breaks because of her abusive background at the most inopportune moments,like just before shes lobotomized and could fight back. So during the dream sequences that kind of show the kind of imagination she has and what they are about to take away, you're worried for her back in reality. Admittedly it's been a while since I saw it maybe I'm adding colour to memory.

[@gc3k]

@WilliamBurner i read that article a few weeks ago. it doesn't redeem the movie (it's still a snyder movie) but it's a very well-written counter-argument for everyone who misunderstood the theme and concept

[@fuckem187]

i really dont rate chris nolans writing ability - its very one dimensional and bland and basic add that to zacks directing and superman is looking bad but ill still see it.

[@edobriensgrin]

@Jcolinsol I'm sure you are not alone in your hatred but don't worry, no one is ever going to think the likes of Kubrik, Scorsese or Coppola 'look bad' because of Zack Snyder's inability to direct.

[@tubemoog]

best rant ever !!! "zack snyder, zack snyder"

[@265blade]

as a surving enemy, so for clarity no the asylum woasn't some kind of brothel she didn't really have a gun and katana it was just the way she invisioned it. (if you have questions please ask)

[@Goochbot]

The first 10 minutes of Dawn of the dead remake are still the only good thing he's ever really done. 300 is ok, in a trashy sort of way. I'm hoping he pulls himself together for Man of Steel

[@jayrockwell33]

right-o although i haven't seen the original for ages, you obviously rate it highly, my only point really is that ZS's remake was a genre-tight piece of work IMO

[@Digginjim]

Totally agree. I liked DotD, but of course not as good as the original. 300 is fun but misses the point of the graphic novel. Watchmen is a mess but looks nice... I daren't watch Sucker Punch....

[@HotDogMarchant]

@Terramax I'm saying that a ten year old who falls asleep halfway through The Godfather can be accused of not getting it, but a knowledgeable film critic most probably gets Sucker Punch, but doesn't like it. Basically I'm saying you can get a film and still not like it.

[@MWeistra]

I love SHOCK CORRIDOR (and most of Sam Fuller's films). Sucker Punch was boring as hell...

[@RhodesidesReviews]

300 is okay, watchmen sucks, the only reason his superman will be half decent is because Nolan has some influence on it

[@MrZakCuerden]

so he liked the film right??

[@edobriensgrin]

@QuatermassMan Romero's Dawn of the Dead is a classic satire on consumerism. Zack Snyder's remake completely misses the point. If you like it then cool, each to their own, but I honestly don't think Kermode would rate it much - and he's probably already seen it. Peace :)

[@sonofmerowing]

Check out "You are wrong about Sucker Punch" on the Escapist

[@Leatherbubba]

I expect to hear the Zack Snyder impression in his review of The Man of Steel.

[@nikolasgoodland5085]

I loved it, watched it in the IMAX, shoot me.

[@TxxT33]

No one cares

[@SandBarAndYou]

@outerlimits007 I hate zack snyder too. Why ppl think 300 was good is inexplicable.

[@MrSkinnynerd03]

@AdamPPrice nah, it's a problem with Final cut Pro...just unrendered, some small footage.

[@dennismason3740]

@kermodeandmayo - Zak's teenage daughter, Autumn, liked to help people. Then she killed herself and the whiplash from the Cynic's head created shock waves throughout the kindom. True Story.

[@ThierryLoa]

@DodgerRiley Putting aside the Visual FX and CGI which are decent, one of the reasons Sucker Punch fails as a movie is due to its poor and incoherent screenplay. It doesn't take a genius to write a better screenplay than Snyder's Sucker Punch. Japanese anime and video games have way better storyline, they have proper writers on the team.

[@JamesMC04]

I am watching this with Rebel Moon 1 & 2 in mind.

[@edhero4515]

I am a big fan of Mark's reviews! For that very reason, I would strongly recommend taking another look at the film. In my opinion, it is the most underrated and misunderstood film of the millennium. Perhaps two notes on this: 1: Try to watch the film without putting the person or the rest of the director's films so much in context with it! 2: Pay attention to the different versions that have been released! Finally, a bold thesis: could the general reaction to this film, in which Snyder's clearly recognisable ambitions went so unnoticed, be the reason why he did not make any comparable effort from then on?

[@andrewpage6029]

I fell asleep too.

[@PatrickBatemanV]

Don't tell the good Doctor to stop, it just encourages him.

[@gooshie3]

So, a good film, then?

[@Retrostar619]

No.

[@CBright7831]

I wish that it was an advert for vodka. It would've been better.

[@aModernDandy]

It was interesting, thank you for the recommendation!

[@Aalborg42]

Got it as a present at one time. I just thought "That director is a perv". Stopped it after 40 minutes. Never finished it.

[@SuperAdamMan64]

@J0Nramirez I think he does it to annoy Simon Mayo more than anything else. A worthy endeavour in my view.

[@dayglowjoe]

zack snyder is unbearable

[@Luvie1980]

The dialogue sounds absolutely horrible!

[@KaiserSaucy]

Say what you mean though Mark, stop sitting on the fence...

[@FullMetalElectroma]

Zach Snyder sounds like Jay Leno

[@gc3k]

ZACKSNYDER!

[@christianmills7728]

This is the only film I have ever walked out half way through!!! 😂😂😂😂 This review really makes sense to me!!! I never thought I would walk out of a hot chick flick but this film is truly terrible!!! Ps, Watchmen is awesome!!! I like it!!

[@ThierryLoa]

@asbolus1 Your comment on my brain is comical. Are you Jack Snyder by any chance? Maybe you are, or a relative? because no one is here critising you but Snyder's movie, and yet, you are taking offence and reacting like a... dork. Like I said, it's not your fault if the movie fails. Take your frustration else where, pick up a book on film theory.

[@MichaelLeroi]

did anyone else see "unrendered" at the end of this video?