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Snow White and the Huntsman

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This film belongs to a relatively new genre whose name escapes me right now. It's basically the type of film that attempts to put a more realistic slant to old myths and legends, usually children's fairy tales. Problem is, with this film, the fantasy element wasn't totally eradicated from the storyline. What we have, then, is a plain and simple retelling. That giant white stag (who was probably that realm's equivalent of Aslan the lion) and those fairy imps who look like Gollum, interesting as they may seem, do nothing to enhance the realistic angle brought about by portraying Snow White as a sort of Joan of Arc heroine.

"Why isn't my armor white as snow?"

Seriously, do we need another retelling of Snow White? Isn't the high-pitched Disney version enough for everyone?

Yes, Peter Jackson has shown us that through old school camera wizardry, you can cast a normal-sized person in a dwarf role. That doesn't mean every dwarf role in cinema should be played by normal-sized folk from hereon. Midget actors definitely have their own appeal, and Peter Jackson's re-discovery of forced perspective (a technique as old as cinema itself) shouldn't put an end to their careers.

They're all kneeling down while Hemsworth is standing up.

This film does have some great performances, most notably from the evil queen Ravenna and the huntsman. The Disney version of the evil queen shows her as a shrewd, calculating witch, someone who is totally in control of her faculties. With Charlize Theron's performance, however, we get to see the evil queen for what she really is─a deranged, lunatic psychopath, totally consumed by her own greed and vanity.

Not related to Bong Ravena.

Chris Hemsworth, meanwhile, shows us that he does have some acting chops in him, which will definitely improve over time. He reminds me of a younger Brad Pitt, and I'm pretty sure Hemsworth would much prefer a challenging, out-of-character role over a tried-and-tested pretty boy heartthrob formula.

Next stop: Fight Club reboot.

Wait, did I mention Kristen Stewart? Of course I didn't.

This was probably her finest acting moment in this film─
playing dead.



Snow White and the Huntsman. USA. 2012.



Rating: Five and a half out of ten.

3 comments :

Dan O. said...

Good review Sting. It was stylized in a more dark and gritty way, than we usually see from fairy-tale movies, but I still liked that about it even when the story started to get weaker. Also, just couldn't take my eyes off of Theron.

Thank you, Dan the Man. I am flattered you dropped by.

Baka kay Kiefer Ravena pwede, hehehe!

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