Searching for a weekend watch? Sucker Punch and Beastly have just landed on DVD and Blu-ray, and this guide explains what each title offers so viewers can choose with confidence.
FAST PLOT:
BEASTLY presents a contemporary take on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale, starring Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens. Kyle is a self-absorbed teen who cares only about appearances. A spell cast by the school witch, Kendra, makes his outer look reflect his inner nature. The cure requires someone to love the beast inside him, a role Hudgens’ character ultimately fulfills.
SUCKER PUNCH unfolds in the 1960s and follows a young woman named Babydoll, played by Emily Browning. After a cruel act by her stepfather leads to confinement in a psychiatric facility, she retreats into a vivid, controllable fantasy world. Joined by four fellow patients, the group schemes an escape as the boundaries between dream and reality blur.
PROS AND CONS:
BEASTLY
Pros: The film sends a message about judging people by more than looks, and it marks Mary-Kate Olsen’s return to the screen after a hiatus. Neil Patrick Harris appears as the eccentric blind tutor, adding a playful touch. Cons: The romance melodrama can feel sentimental and predictable, and the movie sometimes struggles to balance its fairy-tale cues with modern sensibilities.
SUCKER PUNCH
Pros: The movie dazzles with striking visuals and strong CGI, delivering a bold cinematic experience that appeals to a broad audience. It presents a unique, high-energy premise that blends action and fantasy. Cons: The narrative can lean on spectacle over substance, and some viewers may find the emotional payoff uneven compared with the more straightforward romance arc in Beastly.
BLU-RAY EXTRAS?
BEASTLY:
– Music video Be Mine by Kristina and the Dolls
– Featurette A Classic Tale Retold: The Story of BEASTLY
– Alternate Ending and Deleted Scenes
– Featurette Creating the Perfect Beast
SUCKER PUNCH:
– Both Extended and Theatrical Cuts of the film
– SUCKER PUNCH: Behind the Soundtrack
– Maximum Movie Mode – Exploring the Fantasy World
– Storyboards and Galleries, and SUCKER PUNCH Animated Shorts
– 12 Walk-ons with director Zack Snyder
Readers are encouraged to share impressions after watching either title and how the films land for different audiences.