Viewed – 29 September 2012  Blu-ray

Extended edition

I missed this during its theatrical run as there were other movies I was wanting to see.  Yet I have since heard very good things about it, so was eager to discover what all the fuss was about.  The casting of Kristen Stewart didn’t entirely excite me due to her involvement in the tiresome Twilight series, but with Thor’s charismatic Chris Hemsworth as the Huntsman and a classic fairy tale back drop, I still had a feeling this was going to be good.

Snow White has been held in a tower for many years by evil Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron) following the fall of her kingdom, and with the Queen beginning to run out of youthful peasants to drain the life force from, turns to Snow White who holds the key to her immortality.  Yet Snow White manages to escape, and befriends a world-weary Huntsman who has been hired to kill her.

A clever twist on a very old fairy tale, inspired by the Brothers Grimm short story and directed with no end of visual flair by relative newcomer Rupert Sanders.  Sort of a cross between Lord Of The Rings and Ridley Scott classic Legend, I was swept up in the good vs evil story with some quality acting, especially from Theron in a creepy, disturbing take on a classic character, and for an attractive but usually bland actress, Stewart suited her role well, and proved a lot fiestier than I thought possible.  Chris Hemsworth of course almost steals the show in a lovable rogue performance that is also different enough from Thor to make him one of the more enjoyable actors around.

As far as the formula goes, this doesn’t really do much we haven’t seen before, and the ending left me wanting – but I suppose that’s what sequels are for.  However, this offers up an intelligent and slick 2hrs with thrills a plenty, gorgeous imagery and impressive effects (check out the black glass soldiers – wow) – making this very much a must-see.

Verdict:  5 /5

Related articles

• The Longest Short Movie Review You’ll Ever Read: SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN (mralphafreak.wordpress.com)
• Movie Review: Snow White and the Huntsman (movieandshowreviews.com)
• Fairy tales, Snow White and the Huntsman, and Mirror, Mirror (melaniemarttila.ca)
• Film Review: Snow White is trying to escape the Evil Queen in “Snow White and the Huntsman” (previouslymyself.wordpress.com)