Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) starring Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Sam Claflin directed by Rupert Sanders Movie Review

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Kristen Stewart in Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Snow White: Princess of Peeved

After Snow White was born her mother The Queen died and her father rescues Ravenna from a Dark Army marries her only to discover on his wedding night that she is a sorceress and the controller of the dark army as she plunges a dagger into his chest. After a failed attempt to escape Snow White is locked up in a tower whilst Ravena rapes the kingdom, sucking the energy out of the young women to maintain her beauty. When Snow White comes of age Ravena discovers she is a threat to her and plans to murder her except she escapes and heads into the woods where Ravena has no power. In order to get her Ravena tricks a huntsman to go in and get her but he learns that he has been tricked and comes to the aid of Snow White as she tries to rid the Kingdom of Ravena's evil reign.

So the old fairytale gets an update for a new generation with lavish looking sets and costumes, big stars, action and lots of special effects. Sounds okay doesn't it as if any fairytale would work for a CGI enhanced adult version it is "Snow White". Except never have I been so bored whilst watching a movie with its laboured approach and one really bad bit of casting when it comes to Kristen Stewart as Snow White. Look I know the tone of the movie is different to the fairytale but having the central character as miserable the entire way with only one dimension does not work for a moment.

Chris Hemsworth in Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

So what does work then when it comes to "Snow White and the Huntsman"? Well whilst I am a traditionalist and enjoy the craft of old cinema I will admit that the computer work in this does give it a sense of scale and whilst not epic is more impressive visually than a lot of movies. On the subject of the look it also scores when it comes to the action, the actual combat which has that sense of being out of this world. And for the most the casting is good with Chris Hemsworth making for a good Huntsman whilst Charlize Theron channels some Michelle Pfieffer in the way she plays Ravena.

But then there is what is seriously wrong with "Snow White and the Huntsman" and whilst at times the slow pace lets it down the biggest issue is Kristen Stewart. I know there are those who think she is great but for most of the movie she delivers one look and that isn't acting it is boring. To me the character of Snow White needs light and shade and not once did that ever come across.

What this all boils down to is that "Snow White and the Huntsman" ends up average at best because the main bit of casting ended up wrong and dragging the movie down. It's a shame as it could have been a fantastic fantasy fairytale but instead ended up a laboured experience which bordered on the depressing.


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