Director: Rupert Sanders
Snow White and the Huntsman is a darker take on the familiar Disney adaptation that we all know. It rivaled fellow fantasy adaptation Mirror Mirror, which was released earlier this year. Because I like Kirsten Stewart more than Lily Collins, and prefer Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron, I decided to go see this one before seeing the former. Based on the pilot, trailer, advertising and the cast, I assumed that this would be the better movie. Unfortunately, I should have gone to this without much expectation as I ended up disappointed. Oh, to be fooled by advertising.
The story is still similar to the tale, with the stepmother taking over the kingdom and wanting Snow White to be killed. However, instead of taking the usual route, it had a twist. Snow White was with the huntsman assigned to kill her, and instead of doing off with her, he turns to have a heart and escapes with her, heading to the Duke’s palace for safety. Of course their plan didn’t go off without a hitch, as the evil stepmother, played beautifully by Charlize Theron had other plans in mind, using all her powers to be able to defeat Snow White.
I like how Ravenna has a rich background story. *SPOILER* She feeds off the beauty of others, without actually killing them, she has been doing the act for years, until she burns every kingdom she lays her hand off to the ground. She has a brother that does all her bidding. The reason that she was doing all of that was to survive the curse her mother has laid on her. *END SPOILER*. There was so much history in her character, a history that explained why she was that way. Charlize Theron was a perfect fit for the role. She portrayed the queen beautifully. She made it believable that such a character existed. She had the best scenes in the movie. She was the best part and the one to watch out for.
Kirsten Stewart certainly stepped out of her Bella Swan shoes and traded them in for Snow White, as this was her first blockbuster film via Twilight fame. Limited facial expressions aside, she showed that she can carry the role, with all the action sequences she had. She hardly played the damsel in distress and has managed to lead a small army into battle.
The writing also attempted to give Chris Hemsworth’s huntsman a back story. While not as rich as the Queen’s, helps mask the facade he is portraying. He’s troubled, he’s relentless and he has nothing to live for, until he met Snow White. While their relationship started as a protector-troubled union, it slowly developed into a love story (that disputes the prince charming’s role in Snow White’s life), then returning to equals. The huntsman’s role was not integral in the tale, but in this adaptation, it placed importance in the slight change of the tale, as well as somewhat doing off with the dwarves’ importance. Maybe it’s just me but the dwarves weren't much of a use, and served as guardians for their safe passage.
The effects of the movie certainly added to the atmosphere, as well as the cinematography. Watching the scenes brought me to place where it felt cold and damp, like the movie’s setting. I like how this telling somewhat deviated from the beauty. The Queen decides to kill Snow White not because she hold the title of fairest, but because she would be the end of her. While it is all not their best works, it’s entertaining enough at some points, but it’s just not great. Plot-wise, it was great. It was different. The events transpiring to the climax was different. The plot certainly was entertaining. To be honest, I felt that the trailer was better, which is why I’m tipping the hat to the marketing and advertising department of the production.
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