SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN
The enchanting Snow White (Kristen Stewart) joins forces with the fierce Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth), who was recruited by the diabolical Queen (Charlize Theron) to kill the fair beauty, and together they fight to rid their kingdom of evil in this bold new take on the fairy-tale classic from commercial director Rupert Sanders. Obsessed with being the fairest woman in the land, the Queen learns that Snow White will soon surpass her in beauty, and seeks to achieve immortality by consuming the young girl's heart. But the Huntsman is the only one capable of braving the dark forest to seek out Snow White. Threatened with death should he refuse to follow his order, the Huntsman finds Snow White, and begins training her for the arduous battle ahead. Meanwhile, a handsome prince (Sam Claflin) falls hopelessly under Snow White's spell. Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, Eddie Izzard, Bob Hoskins, Toby Jones, Eddie Marsan, and Stephen Graham co-star as the seven dwarfs. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Directed by Rupert Sanders
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Sam Claflin, Ian McShane
Release Date: Jun 01, 2012
Rated: Intense Sequences of Action, Brief Sensuality and Intense Sequences of Violence
Runtime: 2 hr. 7 min.
Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review:
Rupert Sanders showy, visually opulent freshman film is occasionally impressive. Sanders knows how to shoot impressive visuals and does so quite a few times, letting you savor the set design and fabulous costuming at work. Unfortunately, his inexperience shows in various ways. The film lacks any sort of dramatic and thematic flow through leaving you emotionally detached as sequences pass by. Even though you are exposed to a few characters, you never really make any connection to any of them. Kristen Stewart, she of the mopiest face around, is blank barely registering throughout the film’s run time. Her acting is terribly underwhelming and the character is strangely underwritten. Chris Hemsworth gets by, play a Thor-lite character, on general screen presence and charisma. Charlize Theron should have just killed this role but instead is allowed to embellish in the worst kind of over the top performance imaginable. Being a fan of hers, it was tough watch her scream insanely throughout the better part of the film. Subtly is entirely thrown out the window, it’s a massive misstep considering she could have nailed this role had she attacked it with more tact. Some strong character actors are used for the dwarfs even if they appear primarily in the 3rd act. A few well directed, if derivative, round out a film which is watch able but never as impressive as it looks.
C
whoops, I expected a more positive review O_o
ReplyDeleteI'll see it in the next few days, hope I like it more than you :)
I was hoping for a better film as well, just kind of missed the mark, looking foward to see your thoughts!
DeleteOk, I've seen it and I actually hated ti even more than you. My goodness, Stewart is such an incredibly bad actress. She actually 'destroyed' the whole movie.
DeleteI've grown to dislike it more as time passes, such a mess of a film.
DeleteMissed the mark is the only way to describe this film!
ReplyDeleteSWATH was the perfect opportunity for Stewart to brush off the Twilight criticisms and start afresh but my god she failed horribly.
I though Theron was fine until the car journey home as that is when the overacting performance really sunk in!
It should have been a lot better.
K :-(
I agree, really thought it should have been much better. Steward, I've grown to dislike her quite a bit....
DeleteI know some people liked Theron but I was just cringing during some of those early scenes....
she failed horribly indeed, but I guess she'll disappear as fast as Megan Fox did :)
DeleteI can only hope so!
DeleteGood review Daniel. A lot darker and grittier than most fairy tales we see on the big screen, but it worked and gave this film a new edge to it that I think it needed. Story could have had more tension to it though.
ReplyDelete