Rated PG-13 (Some graphic and mature material)
Summary: The story evolves around Baby Doll, a young woman who accidentally murders her younger sister, in an attempt to prevent her cruel and demented step-father from sexually abusing the little girl. Dragged to the insane asylum, the step-father pays an orderly to have Baby Doll committed, and lobotomized, sealing her innocence forever.
Disclaimer: It should be noted that I’m not a huge fan of Zach Snyder. Though I loved “Legend of the Guardians; The Owls of Ga’Hoole”, I hated “300" and I HATED “Watchmen". For the most part, I cannot handle that style of cinema, specially paired with dark subject matter.
My Review: Even though I’m not a fan of Snyder and his style of directing, I had big hopes for this film. I really, really, wanted to love it.
But, for the most part the movie was exactly what you thought it would be. Fruitless, plotless, and full of hot chicks in cool outfits, kicking major ass. So you have to go in with that mentality, knowing you can’t think and you can’t try and figure out what’s going on. But! That’s where I think Snyder missed out. In the beginning, the film follows Baby Doll from the time of her mother’s death, up to the moment that she is wrongly committed to an insane asylum, and unfortunately awaits her fate; a lobotomy in five days. Essentially, this part was actually not that bad, as dark and crude as it was.
Then, the film almost starts over and now we are in a whore house/theatre and Baby Doll has been dropped off by a deceitful priest as an orphan, with the arrangement that she will be sold to a “high roller” in five days.
Then once again, in this world, she is able to head off into a third “dream-like” state when she dances; the other world allowing her to fight, control her enemies and plot her escape.
It is here that the movie fails. There is just too much “dream-like” state going on where essentially, there is only ass kicking happening. Though I have no problem with that Japanese Anime style of fighting, I felt like I was watching a video game... That lasted almost two hours!
To me, the movie just got boring... and I began to hate the special effects, because ultimately, I just wanted the freaking story to move along.
Stylistically, the movie was cool though. That, I will give it. And the acting was actually not that bad, either. It’s true monumental flaw was that it really lacked any real plot or story. It felt like two hours of CGI.
So, if you love Zach Snyder and you love movies like Sin City, 300 or Watchmen, then you’ll want to check this out in theatres. But, if you can’t handle bad-ass women with tons of make-up and short skirts, fighting for two hours; catch it on DVD.
Since I don’t have half stars to give it a 2 1/2, I’m leaning toward the 2 mark. Sorry, this one is a fail for me.
Cast and Credit:
Directed by Zack SnyderEmily Browning-Baby Doll
Abbie Cornish-Sweet Pea
Jena Malone-Rocket
Vanessa Hudgens-Blondie
Jamie Chung-Amber
Carla Gugino-Dr. Vera Gorski
Oscar Isaac-Blue Jones
2 comments:
Apparently SM pictured Emily Browning as Bella but she didn't audition as she wasn't interested in being involved in a franchise. ( WTF?!) Seeing she's a: Australian & b: she turned down Twilight, I wanted this movie to be awesome too. Shame. X
I saw that Entertainment Weekly gave it a D. I so wanted it to be good. An action film with woman as the leads. Oh well, maybe next time. Thanks for your review. For sure I will see at some point but not in a theater.
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