{"id":2118,"date":"2012-05-31T23:13:17","date_gmt":"2012-05-31T23:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/?p=2118"},"modified":"2012-05-31T23:13:18","modified_gmt":"2012-05-31T23:13:18","slug":"snow-white-and-the-huntsman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/action\/snow-white-and-the-huntsman\/","title":{"rendered":"Snow White and The Huntsman ***"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>This long-anticipated version of Snow White couldn\u2019t be more different from the humourless and bland Mirror Mirror<\/em> with a smug Julia Roberts. Bathed in Gothic shadows and sinister trickery it stars Twilight<\/em>\u2019s very own vamp princess\u00a0Kristen Stewart<\/a> as the snow-white skinned maiden doing battle with her evil stepmother, Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron<\/a>). But much as debut director Rupert Sanders<\/a> may have thought some of the Twilight<\/em> magic may rub off by casting Stewart, the most successful performances come from Theron and the \u2018famous\u2019 faces of the dwarves.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a shame that Stewart seems to have little else in her acting arsenal than to continually act like she’s permanent in oral pain. In fact, any empathy we might feel for her Snow White is probably more a throwback response to her equally awkward and gurning Bella character, making us seriously question whether she is literally a one trick pony. Still, with her army of loyal fans, both Sanders and her know their target audience for this film, and she plays the same hand.<\/p>\n

In all fairness, this Snow White has a lot to be miffed about, having been locked in a tower all her developing years, alongside other young maidens that evil and bewitching Ravenna uses to suck the soul out of like a stunning, flaxen-haired Dementor, simply as an alternative to Botox to rid her of her wrinkles. As Snow White escapes, the Queen soon learns that one suck on stepdaughter would have rid her of old age for eternity, and so recruits the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth<\/a>), a drunken, grieving widower to track her and bring her live \u2018beauty treatment\u2019 back. But to everyone\u2019s surprise, including his, the Huntsman falls for Snow White, and hence decides to help her reclaim her rightful throne, with the help of a small army of supporters.<\/p>\n

Colleen Atwood\u2019s stunning design is worth witnessing alone on the big screen, opening up Sanders’ fairy tale to a wider fantasy league, such as those who enjoy LOTR<\/em>, for example. It even comes complete with an exhilarating horseback charge of attack at the end that is reminiscent of The Return of the King<\/em> in energy and panoramic glory. Ravenna\u2019s mirror on the wall also oozes lethal golden beauty but is mesmerising too.<\/p>\n

Sanders makes sure there is a seductive dichotomy of beauty and brutality throughout, with Theron encompassing this. She plays the role straight laced, being an expert in portraying thorny and unhinged beauty in a number of films. With Stewart cast as her nemesis in the looks stakes, it\u2019s a tad hard to believe Ravenna has anything much to be jealous of. Nevertheless, both actresses are match for match in the final confrontation scene, which showers us with some of the best special effects this film as to offer, but feels short lived.<\/p>\n

Hemsworth, still in Thor mode, plays rugged \u2018brute\u2019 naturally in his sleep, no doubt, with little else to challenge him in this. There is a nice \u2018will they, won\u2019t they\u2019 love triangle going on between Snow White, Huntsman and Snow White\u2019s childhood sweetheart William (Sam Claflin<\/a>) \u2013 echoing the Twilight<\/em> love saga perhaps? It\u2019s disappointing that the introduction of the fun celebrity dwarves \u2013 played by Bob Hoskins<\/a>, Ray Winstone<\/a>, Ian McShane<\/a>, Eddie Marsan<\/a>, Nick Frost<\/a>, Toby Jones<\/a>,\u00a0Brian Gleeson<\/a> and\u00a0Johnny Harris<\/a> \u2013\u00a0is later on in the story, meaning this heady mix of talent has limited screen time, before they are recruited into Snow White\u2019s onslaught on the castle. In fact there are characters for everyone to enjoy in this, as it\u2019s certainly not the narrative that engages the viewer.<\/p>\n

Sanders\u2019 outing is a Gothic technical triumph in many ways \u2013 minus the Tim Burton quirkiness of yesteryear. His attention to detail is fully commendable as he tries to reinvent the children\u2019s bedtime story into something more substantial and appealing to the grown-up market. His choice of cast is hit and miss, with Stewart actually being the weakest link, regardless of her box office draw. That said there is a lot of visual wonder to bask in and be inspired by, making Sanders\u2019 next project one to watch out for.<\/p>\n

3\/5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n

By @FilmGazer<\/p>\n

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