I was very thrilled to learn that in English class we would be creating a blog on the movie Sucker Punch, as I have viewed the trailer on numerous occasions. Although the movie was just released yesterday, like many of you, I have not had an opportunity to view it yet. As we now know archetypes are present in nearly every aspect of society, subsequently the movie trailer for Sucker Punch is rich with archetypes. The movie trailer for Sucker Punch includes many character, symbolic and journey archetypes.
To summarize the trailer:
In the movie trailer Sucker Punch the main character and female protagonist, Baby Doll looses her mother and father at a very young age. With the loss of her parents she is placed under the care of a cruel, abusive man who is assumed to be her step father. Under his brutal regime Baby Doll rebels and is driven into the deep pit of depression where she seemingly looses sanity. Baby Doll is deemed mentally ill and forcefully placed in an asylum where she meets other girls longing to escape the misery of the asylum. Baby Doll and her companions are constantly searching for a method of escape. Finally, they devise a plan and embark on a challenging journey in a dangerous parallel universe which appears to be only in their minds. At the beginning of the journey an unnamed mentor gives them a task to find five items that will grant them freedom; a map, a knife, fire, a key and a fifth item which is a mystery.
Character Archetypes:
The Hero: The main character in the movie Sucker Punch can be categorized as a warrior hero. Baby Doll is a teenage girl who is embarking on the quest to escape from the asylum. She is very inexperienced, naïve and longing for the privilege of freedom.
The Mentor: In the trailer a mentor-like figure is evident. Baby Doll and her companions receive valuable information from him in regards to escaping the asylum, he tells them of the objects that must be found in order to reach freedom.
Loyal Retainers: Baby Dolls companions serve as her loyal retainers. The girls devoutly protect Baby Doll and work with her to free the girls from the asylum.
Journey archetypes:
Journey:
The heroine, Baby Doll, is on a journey to spare her and fellow companions from the fate of a wrongful lobotomy. In the trailer for Sucker Punch the type of archetypal journey was “the warrior’s journey” but this may be different in the entire movie.
Characteristics of hero’s journey:
Meets Monsters:
In the movie trailer for Sucker Punch, Baby Doll encounters a variety of magical and monstrous beings. To survive in the imaginary world she must battle against these creatures whether they are dragons, snakes, robots or men.
Has a Mentor and Guide:
Baby Doll has a guide/mentor who informs her of the five items she must find in the imaginary world. Furthermore the mentor/guide leads or instructs her in the imaginary world he also provides her with motivational phrases.
Has an Un-healable Wound:
Baby Doll is constantly feeling the pain of her un-healable wound, the death of her parents and the subsequent abuse she suffered from the man perceived as her step father.
Struggles for Something Important:
The heroine is constantly struggling for the most important component of life: freedom. In the asylum she had her freedom stolen away. She longs to be free and free her fellow companions. Baby Doll will gain freedom once she finds the five objects.
Symbolic Archetypes:
The movie trailer for Sucker Punch incorporates numerous symbolic archetypes that enhance the meaning of the film.
Light vs. Darkness:
When Baby Doll is bawling and evidently depressed the scenery is dark and dismal suggestive of her depressed feelings. The lightning gives the viewer an overwhelming feeling of despair. The asylum is only shown in a dark light indicating that it is an unjust evil place. When she learns of an escape means the scenery lightens and her feelings of hope are portrayed.
Fire:
When Baby Doll enters into the new world the element of fire is ever present. As she receives instruction from her mentor the room is filled with candles that represent knowledge, regeneration and the rebirth of a hopeful future.
Rain:
It is raining as the protagonist is feeling overwhelmed with despair, fear and the feeling of hopelessness. The rain is representative of spiritual growth, as Baby Doll has realized her dire situations. Spiritually she is reborn, as her naivety lessens and her motivation to escape while surviving emerges. She is no longer a sad, innocent girl. She has become strong willed, motivated and ready to change her life for the better.
The trailer of the movie Sucker Punch is only a fragment of the movie, it will be interesting to learn what other situational, character and journey archetypes are evident. I predict that Baby Doll will successfully escape the asylum and emerge as a different person, educated, motivated and appreciative of freedom.
What other archetypes are present in the trailer? What archetypes do you think the entire movies will incorporate? How will they enhance the film? What do you predict the plot to be?
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