Starring Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, Ian McShane and Chris Hemsworth. Written by Evan Daugherty et al. Directed by Rupert Sanders.
I have to admit that it was the uncanny presence of Charlize Theron that made me look forward to this film. And I am sure, I am not the only one. Given her track record of performances and choices of films over recent years, one can be rest assured that if she signs a film, it has to have at least average content, and nothing less.
To begin with, the film has a very simplistic plot. Snow White, the last of royal blood left after Ravenna takes over the kingdom by stabbing Snow White's father in his heart, is kept in castle's prison for more than a decade. One day, she escapes the prison in search of her father's original but unmotivated army. In her quest, Snow White enters the dreaded dark forests filled with brain twisting hallucinating gases wherein even the horses shy away to enter. The only person, apparently, brave and capable enough to lead Ravenna's dark army into this forest is the drunkard Huntsman. Promised to resurrect his wife if he finds Snow White, Huntsman takes the challenge. Rest, I shall not reveal. But from this point on, Snow White's quest, somehow, continues.
Now the film isn't all action and epic war. Nor is it an eternal love story. It is simply an avenger's saga. The director doesn't bother to add any weight to the love chemistry, nor does he allow ample screen time for motivational war speeches. Basically in such films, the bigger obstacles the avenger has to overcome, the better the drama becomes. The film succeeds to unfold as time passes and it keeps introducing brand new obstacles to Snow White. However, the story unfolds to such a convenience for our main characters that they hardly seem to be struggling with their supposedly dark times.
Moreover, for some reason, the film seems to be under some stress. One always feels like a bit more could have been added to every scene to take it to the next level. The dark forest could be darker, that colorful forest could be more charming, the army could be bigger, the speech could be better and so forth. It feels as if the adventure is choking in a pressure cooker. And as far as performances are concerned, Charlize and Kristen are good but, dare I say, not great. Chris Hemsworth sounds dolt all throughout. I think Ian McShane's performance would have to be the best of the lot.
Other than this, I really don't have much to write about. I don't see any major lessons, themes or anything of that sort in this film. The fact that the film keeps unfolding and making us wonder as to what will happen in the next scene makes it an average fair (well, Charlize still keeps the promise!). There are redundant and useless subplots and scenes that fail to create intended emotional response, but every frame is so beautifully placed that we are somewhat mesmerized. It's not a bad weekend treat.
*** / *****
I have to admit that it was the uncanny presence of Charlize Theron that made me look forward to this film. And I am sure, I am not the only one. Given her track record of performances and choices of films over recent years, one can be rest assured that if she signs a film, it has to have at least average content, and nothing less.To begin with, the film has a very simplistic plot. Snow White, the last of royal blood left after Ravenna takes over the kingdom by stabbing Snow White's father in his heart, is kept in castle's prison for more than a decade. One day, she escapes the prison in search of her father's original but unmotivated army. In her quest, Snow White enters the dreaded dark forests filled with brain twisting hallucinating gases wherein even the horses shy away to enter. The only person, apparently, brave and capable enough to lead Ravenna's dark army into this forest is the drunkard Huntsman. Promised to resurrect his wife if he finds Snow White, Huntsman takes the challenge. Rest, I shall not reveal. But from this point on, Snow White's quest, somehow, continues.
Now the film isn't all action and epic war. Nor is it an eternal love story. It is simply an avenger's saga. The director doesn't bother to add any weight to the love chemistry, nor does he allow ample screen time for motivational war speeches. Basically in such films, the bigger obstacles the avenger has to overcome, the better the drama becomes. The film succeeds to unfold as time passes and it keeps introducing brand new obstacles to Snow White. However, the story unfolds to such a convenience for our main characters that they hardly seem to be struggling with their supposedly dark times.
Moreover, for some reason, the film seems to be under some stress. One always feels like a bit more could have been added to every scene to take it to the next level. The dark forest could be darker, that colorful forest could be more charming, the army could be bigger, the speech could be better and so forth. It feels as if the adventure is choking in a pressure cooker. And as far as performances are concerned, Charlize and Kristen are good but, dare I say, not great. Chris Hemsworth sounds dolt all throughout. I think Ian McShane's performance would have to be the best of the lot.
Other than this, I really don't have much to write about. I don't see any major lessons, themes or anything of that sort in this film. The fact that the film keeps unfolding and making us wonder as to what will happen in the next scene makes it an average fair (well, Charlize still keeps the promise!). There are redundant and useless subplots and scenes that fail to create intended emotional response, but every frame is so beautifully placed that we are somewhat mesmerized. It's not a bad weekend treat.
*** / *****
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