Zack Snyder's Most Misunderstood Movie

[@brittanyyoung6501]

I was in high school or college the first time I saw this movie and the story really resonated with me as a young woman. When I saw it on sale at Walmart I immediately bought it. I never understood the hate it got, because to me the deeper meaning of the story was so real to me. The dark grittiness of abuse and the destruction it causes, but also the strength and power in fighting not to let it over take you and turn you into a shell. Fighting back and coming out on the other side not quite whole but no longer a victim, but a survivor.

[@BetterWithBob]

I know a trauma counsellor who gives some perspective advice to "imagine this is your superhero origin story" and that's exactly what the girls in the movie do :)

[@elaz925]

I've been binge watching your videos after your Underworld video and I'm so glad you also covered Suckerpunch. The amount of people that apparently watched this while taking every scene as literal and real and being confused by that astounded me when I looked up reviews after watching this years after its release on some streaming site.

[@cleverscreenname5698]

I liked Suckerpunch when it first came out and was disappointed it didn’t really seem to catch on in the mainstream. For my friend group of 4 teen girls, we all enjoyed and understood it. Also, the soundtrack was fire and we listened to it quite a bit. Thank you for this thoughtful analysis.

[@VillainIsLemony]

The more I deep dive into your videos, the more I adore and appreciate your views and sharing them. I've often felt so alone in genuinely enjoying this movie. And that cover of Sweet Dreams is hauntingly, perfectly beautiful.

[@BetterWithBob]

Thank you so much :) This really made my day :)

[@VillainIsLemony]

@@BetterWithBob I'm very glad it did! You're the kind of person I think I could sit and talk for hours with about movies/shows/etc.

[@SerenSehota-tq8pw]

I can’t remember where, but I read somewhere that Baby Doll IS Sweet Pea, or rather Sweet Pea’s imagined angel to contextualize the loss of her sister. Note how Sweet Pea’s introduction has her wearing Baby Doll’s wig, the loss of the younger sister with both, and Scott Glenn’s appearance at the end symbolizing she found freedom within her mind as a result of the lobotomy. She doesn’t escape into the real world, but rather deeper into her mind. I don’t know if this is vetted by Zack Snyder, but that’s always my interpretation on rewatching, that there are 4 layers instead of just 3.

[@BetterWithBob]

I like that interpretation 🙂

[@schlockangelentertainment7991]

I'll be honest seen this once near 10 years ago. Forgot how stylized the film looks and didn't realize how many layers there is in the story and how complex it was. Definitely one I must rewatch and give it another chance and pay closer attention to. You always have a great way of constructing your videos in how you structure them and you always are entertaining in your voice and delivery of the narration. Also wow forgot how great the cinematography in this flick and the composition of the shots are.

[@BetterWithBob]

When you're down in my area, bring your BluRay player and we'll watch the Director's Cut ;)

[@schlockangelentertainment7991]

@@BetterWithBob Lol sounds good or even you must stay in my place sometime and binge a load of films! 📺🍿

[@acousticmonkey2209]

I've always loved this movie. It's weird, it's got a great sound track, it has hirls kicking ass, it's got literal, figurative, and metaphorical levels. I've heard people complain "But you don't get to see her dance!" Do you not get this was a stand-in for sexual assault? It was a movie based on a graphic novel. What did you think you would see? I loved that they used fighting as the thing we see, and it wasn’t a showcase of just trauma. For all the run of the mill stuff that Zach Snyder does that makes his fans wet themselves, I much prefer his darker, more misunderstood work. It means you see more depth in his comic hero work.

[@BetterWithBob]

A friend of mine who's been through trauma counselling (although doesn't like the movie) says one way to overcome it is "imagine it as your superhero origin story", and that's exactly what's portrayed here. The girls go from imagining themselves as victims to seeing themselves as powerful heroes

[@acousticmonkey2209]

@@BetterWithBob That is great advice to me.

[@nope5657]

I find it funny that we've become so weird about sex and sexuality we have turned to condemning any depiction of attractive women in media as "objectification." The word "objectification" itself has been abused so much it lost all meaning. The simple of act depicting beauty or attractiveness or flesh is instantly deemed "objectification." The "male gaze" is a bullshit term made by bullshit people to shame straight male sexuality. And to that I dare say: "Ok, but why is objectification inherently bad?" Why is it simply assumed that if a piece of media depicts a beautiful woman being beautiful, we (and by we I mean men because lets face it nobody calls sexy dudes in media objectification) must then take the extra step of reducing them to a piece of meat, an object without agency? It's such a deranged take. I can think a woman is hot, and enjoy seeing her being hot in a movie and STILL understand she's like, a real person? Why is straight male sexuality instantly framed as inherently wrong? And I love how this discourse almost always ignores the fact that queer people exist. Not only straight dudes are attracted to women, lol. Look, i won't pretend that media in general has a long, warped history of how it portrays the human body for mass consumption. But I find it rather disappointing and pathetic we ignore how people have taken power over that to find strength or meaning it. There IS a positive side to this shit too, it's not all insecurity insecurities and unfair body type expectations. And I'm still waiting for people to seriously discuss how media has negatively impacted male body image. Nary a peep on that. And when there is a peep, it's mostly just brushed aside. We have a whole generation (now 2 really) of internet users who will gladly decry female objectification out one side of their mouth and then in the next post unironically slobber and "objectify" the new hot boy celeb. No accounting to consistency I guess. Funny that over a decade later, Sucker Punch has become something of cult film with a big female fanbase who find empowerment in it. Most of the "this movie is good, actually" takes I've found have come from women.

[@BetterWithBob]

The Male Gaze is such a flawed theory and it was never meant to actually be taken as one. Most of the second wave feminists were mentally ill, and their writing was affected by their warped viewpoint. Whenever someone tries to use it for discussion, I like to remind them that it was written back when homosexuality was considered a mental illness, and intersectionality shoots it to hell with how it teaches that you can't make one group a monolith because everyone's experiences and preferences are different And yep, male objectification has become a huge problem in media. Whenever male actors try to speak out about the ridiculous diets they have to do for all these shirtless scenes and the gross attention they get from pervy women who feel ownership over them, they get put in their place with responses of "wOmEn hAvE iT wORSE!!!!" I had to roll my eyes at the amount of times Fate: the Winx Saga threw in a gratuitous shirtless scene for the guys while the girls were practically covered up like Puritans - Sky shirtless during a sexy makeout with Bloom while she's in a baggy sweater? Riven and Dane shirtless in a threesome with Beatrix only giving the tiniest glimpse of bra? When Bloom wore a slit dress that showed a little bit of sideboob I actually said "oh good, so the girls are capable of showing skin in this universe" The latter is a side effect of advertising standards shifting. They used to target the 18-24 male demographic but now they go for the wives and mothers who are more likely to control every purchasing decision in the house - hence all the shirtlessness and women being covered up

[@anthonyalles1833]

This is a great analysis. I think the key to understanding Sucker Punch is to realize that it's actually a horror film, and when you watch it with that perspective, it's both sickeningly horrifying and absolutely infuriating - you just yearn to see these (male) monsters receive their comeuppance. Unfortunately, for the most part they don't, just as in the real world, and the female victims can only escape their trauma through fantasy - or death. One point in that regard - please don't describe these women as 'whores': they may have been prostituted by pimps, but they are truly slaves, nothing they do is of their own volition. Just like Jennifer's Body, this film was completely let down by its marketing, which made it seem like just another escapist scifi video game adaptation. Regardless of what Zach Snyder himself actually intended to say with Sucker Punch, it has an extremely powerful story to tell and deserves to be rediscovered and appreciated.

[@BetterWithBob]

I think at that point in time three years ago I tended to lisp a lot when saying 'prostitute' so using 'whore' to refer to the profession was an easier word to say lol. Problem overcome these days now ha

[@larafranke1802]

I am a survivor of sexual abuse (more specific I was abused 2 years by a family member) and I loved the movie so much cause I felt represented somehow but couldn't find the words. I deeply wanted to comment on the things you mentioned on clothing like Rose McGowan. People who aren't aware enough about sexual violence think that all victims want to cover themselves up with beggy clothes and never want to have sex again but in reality many woman (and men(I know at least one who coped with his early childhood trauma by having lots of meaningless sex)) do the exact the opposite. I started to show way too much of my boobs when I was 13 most likely because subconsiously I was trying to gain attention what someone had done to my body and after I had a short but healthy relationship for a while I started to endure to have sex with diffrent multiple men. I am struggling to this day to have a healthy sex life which has less to do with the people I sleep with but more with how I treat myself, how I value my feelings, boundaries and needs.. Anyway having the main characters of Sucker Punch wear these outfits in the dream Sequences made me resonate with them even more. Thanks to you now I fully understand why ❤❤❤❤ I am still listening to the soundtracks and have written down the quotes of Swee pea (sorry for misspelling) from the begining and end of the movie cause I found them so inspiring. Btw this video got in my Playlist of favourite Videos (there aren't that many in there) and it made me subscribe and I love your Charmed content ♥️♥️

[@blub_655]

This comment is so beautiful, thank you, it's really not talked about enough how hypersexuality is a symptom of trauma. Im 22 and have so much of the journey left to brave. Its still a form of self harming behaviour for me.

[@larafranke1802]

@@blub_655 thank you for your comment ♥️♥️♥️ It takes so much time and energy to heal and it is so hard to know that some wounds might never really heal, but I learnd that appreciating little steps helps. Others might not understand why some stuff is so difficult for you but you have your reasons and I am proud of what you accomplished (how small it even might be) and I give you a virtual hug (only with consent) for everything you are still struggling with 🫂🫂🫂 I wish you the very best on your path to heal ☮️

[@writethepath8354]

One of my top all time movies, there are never not more layers Edit: ahhhh that Cuaron Little Princess! The sole reason I adore that movie is the camera move when Sara yells at the matron " didn't your father ever tell you you were a princess? Didn't he? " it telegraphs shifting power dynamics and I can't not love it

[@luneluna307]

I really enjoyed the movie as a woman, the action scenes not so much but I loved the idea of the movie. I think most of us women have a problem with objectification when a female character has a dumb kinda empty personality with the focus solely on her sexuality . I’m sensitive about this issue myself but I didn’t see this happening in the movie, if anything it was the women overpowering the men, babydoll hypnotizing them with her dance and winning in the end in a very unexpected way. Especially in the end when the high roller tells her he can have her body, but he won’t really have the real her, and when blue doesn’t like how she’s not really “there” in the end because what’s the point? The movie explores will and consent in a very interesting way. I mean a woman can be a badass and be very attractive at the same time. People have got serious issues regarding sexuality.

[@blub_655]

I really want a zack snyder sucker punch final cut, he said he had it all ready to go on day 1 of release and i think in 2024, we're finally ready for it!

[@BetterWithBob]

The director's cut is available to buy on here. I highly recommend

[@KH-we8eb]

Thanks for this! I loved this movie from the first time I saw it - and loved it more with the Extended version. I could never understand the criticism of it as a shallow, exploitative action flick, because it was so obviously not that. The movie resonated a lot with me and stuck with me for years. It's a relief to find others who recognize its value, too. And now I need to watch it again! (The Extended version's ending with the lobotomist's reaction to the last look in her eyes really should have been in the final cut, too.)

[@BetterWithBob]

Do you mean the scene of her making love with the High Roller?

[@KH-we8eb]

@@BetterWithBob I actually meant the bit with him asking if anyone saw the way she looked at him right after he's performed the lobotomy. But it all ties together, so really, the whole Extended cut should have been the theatrical release. I hope we get to see the Snyder Cut one day, too.

[@camillaolsen6602]

I like your storytelling 😃 i learn some New things to day

[@BetterWithBob]

Why thank you :)

[@evildoesnotsleep-x2b]

Thank you Bob! Not only your analysis is in depth, but crucially, you didn't hesitate to touch on WHY the movie didn't do great that had nothing to do with its quality and everything to do with sexism and wrong advertising. It's truly one of my favourite movies and one that I watch and discover new things every time. I hereby am your subscriber!

[@ninaxwings]

I don’t know where to start. So glad this film is getting some validation. So glad you tied in Rose and Metoo

[@seanalexandermedia]

I actually really had enjoyed this movie. I know I did not agree with a lot of people who might’ve seen it, but I loved it.😊

[@valeriapalyanauskayte1184]

That's such a great video! It's almost like you put in words everything I struggle to when trying to explain to smn that the film is worth watching or re-watching😅 and the whole discussion on male gaze and women objectification here and pocahontas video is amazing as well😍 it's almost feel like a lot of people just dont bother to try to take context in the consideration and brush any sexual/erotic element in representation of a female character and so often the reason to deem smth as objectification and sexualisation or empowerment is just simply gender of the director/writer I took some theatre modules at uni and of course we had a lot of discussions on objectification in male writers work and how they write female characters. so in one of these plays the description of female character was extremely minimal, it wasnt describing her physically almost at all, it mostly focused on her clothes, which was also quite general and on modest side to my suprise the students that was delivering a presentation about this play claimed that also form of objectification somehow since the character was deemed to not deserve proper description by the male author😂 all your content is amazing, so wish you all the best with your channel!❤

[@BetterWithBob]

Thank you for your comment. It was such a great read I needed to take a day to properly absorb everything. In the two years since it went up, I've learned even more about the flaws in gaze theory and how outdated it is (I mention this in a more recent video on Tarantino's Death Proof), making those particular criticisms of the movie seem even more misguided in hindsight.

[@andrewmcneillactor]

Excellent analysis mate. Never seen the film but you've made me want to give it a watch.

[@BetterWithBob]

Perhaps you'd enjoy the WW1 scenes ;)

[@JeffreyDeCristofaro]

I remember one critic's review about this movie: "not without its points of interest, in much the same way that a sheep with five legs in a sideshow is interesting. In fact, Zack Snyder’s latest is kind of a sideshow in its own right-fascinating, appalling and tedious, depending on where you look. It’s as if Snyder simply dragged in everything from the attic of his mind and threw it up on the screen. It’s like an art-house jumble sale filtered through the sensibility of an adolescent video game junkie with a taste for lingerie catalogs. And its title is a misnomer. Bitch-Slapped would be nearer the mark, since, as Mr. Zappa said, the torture never stops." Personally, seeing it during its last run in theaters, I didn't know what to make of it at the end anymore than I did at the beginning.

[@evesapo]

This film became one of my favorites after the first viewing. In addition to the depth of the story told in it, it`s beautiful in everything: actors, surroundings, atmosphere, costumes and, of course, amazing soundtracks, each of which I have listened to the pieces over many years. I'm actually not surprised that such quality work has remained misunderstood and underappreciated. In truth, not everything reaches the mass consumer. And often highly rated popular films provide no value. Sucker Punch is simply further proof of this. Well, that doesn’t stop me from quietly enjoying this film, like many others on my list of favorite but unpopular ones)

[@starlady98]

I saw this movie when it came out, and I got it immediately. It reminded me of writing stories, poetry, or songs when I was a teen as an escape from trauma and depression. Writing a character who is stunning and powerful as your escape? I know plenty of young women writers who do it.

[@wayneigoe6722]

This movie doesn't get NEARLY enough respect or people remembering it... Is it insanity? Yes. Is it difficult to watch a second time? Yes. Is it a wild ride? Totally. And its worth every second.

[@siddiqsmouse5004]

I also love that Blondie and Amber have opposite personalities and opposite reactions when under pressure

[@BetterWithBob]

Oh yes, that's something I saw too

[@thepokemafia1083]

Where is Me too on Palestinians being sexually assaulted

[@vsb101]

I'd prefer level 1 to be more realistic and less "it's a music video with heavy filter atop". And without that makeup on the heroine. I bet it would get better reviews

[@01talima]

ok , i think: nothing is real world, theres only one person in the film and thats sweatpea , the asylum is one of her own making trauma, damage . was the cause , the girls are other female characteristics, BD is hope it is when she turns up things start to ahppen, and also pain, the whole lobotomy is sweatpea giving up her pain so she can go free. blue and the staff are ego id etc at the end shes in white washed clean , not fixed but ready to go on , she still sees the same boy in the trenches getting on the bus but its not fear now, wisdom is driving the bus and then the monologue spells it out. everyone who holds you back traps you hurts you, everyone who sets you free is all you. its all Sweat pea

[@angelaholmes8888]

I did enjoy sucker punch it's definitely underrated film 😃 that doesn't get the love it deserves

[@Belzediel]

S'funny how people who yell 'misogyny' always turn out to be bizarre morons. If there's misogyny is S/P then it's that of the f*&king villains. It's not especially titilating, where it really could be, plus, just so we're clear. at no point does any of the five wear less than any of the men wear in the entirety of 300 but that film isn't misandry? If you deny bad motivations to even the villains, you have nothing left. Nothing at all. S/P, for me, is tremendous fun, often bittersweet, and is one of few films that tries to do something a bit different than the standard model.

[@Thagomizer]

This movie sucks. Stop trying to defend it. It's one of the least credible perspectives on feminine interiority in cinematic history.

[@teletranoats7491]

poorly edited...too noisy !!! upgrade yourself boy!!