Snow White and The Hunstsman - Movie Review

Who's in it? 

Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron

What's it About?

In the second reimagining of the Snow White this year, Rupert Sanders brings us a darker, more Grimm like telling of the fairy tale. The basics are the same, having escaped from imprisonment, Snow White is set to be hunted down in the woods by the ruthless Huntsman at the behest of the evil queen. That is until he truly sees her beauty. 

Any Good?

As the many teaser trailers and posters for SWATH promised, the CGI offerings in this movie are visually stunning. Even though we start off a little slow, we're quick to pick up pace and are taken through the motions of this ancient story. The script, unfortunately, lacks a little punch, the fact that Hossein Amini (Drive)(with next to no script) is one of the  screenwriters may offer some clues as to why. It's perfectly workable but I would have liked to have seen some more character development and banter for each player. 

Charlize, front and centre for the duration

Charlize is, quite literally, stunning, in terms of acting, wardrobe, hair and make up. She epitomises the evil queen, albeit a shouty one and forms the back bone of the entire production. I’m afraid I’ll never be a fan of Kristen Stewart; her dour expression transcends every role she’s ever played. I can see the attraction to the SWATH makers of course, Twihards flock in their masses to any movie that stars her sullen kisser but there just isn’t the acting chops to back it up. Sorry, KStew, I tried, I really did. Hemsworth as the depressed widower Huntsman is excellent at what he does, as long as what he does isn't accents. I never understand why stars just can't keep their own but his fight scenes are perfectly played out and his character well utilised. 

The seven dwarves are played by British and Irish heavyweights Bob Hoskins, Ian McShane, Ray Winstone, Brendan Gleason, Nick Frost, Toby Jones and Eddie Marsan. Their hair and make up is faultless and they add a much needed comic element to proceedings, they should have been brought to the forefront though and given more to do, perhaps some of Queen Ravenna's back story could have been forgone for a little more screen time for these chaps. 

Why so surrious, motley crew?

There's a couple of notable and welcome moves away from Disney here, one, that Snow White is at no time a domestic goddess for the dwarves, she's more an unlikey hero, Joan of Arc stylee. Also the poor Prince Charming is seen as little more than an afterthought, his ineffectual kiss scuppered by the rugged 'Scotrishrailian' Huntsman. This adds a depth to the movie that sets it apart from the very many retellings. The CGI is seamless, the scenes in The Dark Woods are a joy to behold and the battle scenes are enough to keep the story moving. (FYI see this in iSense if you can, not only does it kick 3Ds arse but you're only short of reigns on the seat in front as they ride up the beach to storm the castle. Great fun.)

While I was a little dissapointed with the sudden ending of the story, on the whole, Snow White and the Huntsman is my favourite version of the story so far. It's a little dark for the under 12's and not quite dark enough for the overs but that's ok. I'll suspend too my disbelief at KStew ever being fairer than Charlize, this is after all a fairy tale. It's one of the better Summer blockbusters and you could do worse than heigh ho off to see it this long weekend. 

Rating: 

   




Psst: The Winners for the kick ass  SWATH merchandise have also been drawn, they are Donna Von K, Marie Lawless 
and David Tobin! Congrats All, the good folks at Universal
will be in touch toute suite to arrange delivery of your fabulous prizes!