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Pithy Review

Sucker Punch
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Anyone who's seen the trailers? That's pretty much the movie, in terms of action. The creators chose not to tell you that there was another dark, depressing, less visual facet to their film. Nor did they bother to inform you that it is this other facet which propels all the action. Without the part you didn't know about, the rest falls apart.

As a whole, the movie is ultimately tragic; a Romeo & Juliet without a Romeo. You know how it's going to end in the first 8 minutes. They tell you. So don't be surprised or ticked off when it happens. But it's this knowledge that keeps you rooting for Baby Doll. You want her to win. You want her to escape her fate, but with the final rap of a small hammer it's done.

Sucker Punch succeeds very well in this respect; the investment you make in wishing her well. Another plus in Sucker Punch's favor is the music-- forget the art and color, you already knew that was in there. But the music! Specifically, White Rabbit (originally of Jefferson Airplane fame) by Emiliana Torrini.

She totally owns this tune. Before Emiliana all we had was Jefferson Airplanes cheap two-and-a-half minute, albeit great tune. Truly great. But Miss Torrini's version, clocking in at just under 5 minutes 10 seconds... modern, embellished, loud and explosive, is worth the .99 cents I spent to download at Amazon. Jefferson Airplane ends White Rabbit abruptly with little fanfare, leaving you wanting more. It's a shame it took 40 years for someone to explore the lengths to which Jefferson Airplane could have taken this iconic tune.

You may have heard Sucker Punch described as 'eye-candy'. Well, it is. The whole thing, not just the hookerishly-clad chickies. Even the depressing parts. And that's about as negative I can be. Would I buy this on DVD? I haven't decided yet.

But I am pleased with my music download.

6 Comments:

  1. Eric said...
    I know the song's roots; drug use and suicide by pharma. I can't say I like the subject matter any more than I like the objectifying of women as "hoors to be had", but Jefferson Airplane cleverly constructed their masterpiece in terms gleaned from the famously supposedly drug en-stupered, Mr. Lewis Carroll, and it's this imagery that makes the song.

    The line I love the most?

    "When logic and proportion
    Have fallen sloppy dead..."


    That describes a good many things not considered the least bit good. And even tragedy can appear to be worthy of applause. Romeo & Juliet, anyone?
    Eric said...
    "When logic and proportion
    Have fallen sloppy dead..."


    To see a fine example of such one need only look to Washington.
    Marshal Art said...
    I always dug Slick's vocals on that tune (as well as "Don't You Want Somebody To Love"---if that's the title). Now I have to check out Eiliana Torrini (who the hell...?)
    Mark said...
    I still like Gracie's version better.
    Eric said...
    Hey! I love Grace Slick's original too! But just like premature ejaculation, it's over far too soon.
    Eric said...
    I like a little meat on my tunes...

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