Snow White and the Huntsman 2012 Movie Review

Is it right to tamper with tales we have 

actuallygrown up on? Yes. It's okay to 

experiment with fairy tales as long as 

it's gripping, racy and, if need be, deadly.

 And the level of experimenting could 

range from anything between twists and

 turns in the storyline to making the evil

 Queen lookmuch more conniving... 

much more dangerous... much more 

larger than life. Believe itor not, the evil 

Ravenna here overshadows Snow White 

in every sense of the word. Talk of the

 character and Queen Ravenna comes

 across as the epitome of the woman who

 wants everything - money, fame, kingdom

, beauty forever and immortality - at the

 cost of anything. Talk of the actor and

 Charlize Theron leaves no stone

 unturned when it comes to executing that power, passion and utmost greed.

 She is sometimesseen doing what she ought to do with watery, fiery eyes, 

sometimes with powerful speeches and monologues... and sometimes with 

the help of special effects.

 The very first shot and you know Snow White and  the Huntsman is going

 to be a jolly good visual treat, often brought out through  contrasts.

 There are three stunningly red drops of blood in the white, snow 

covered landscape right in the beginning; the end has the same three drops

 of blood against the backdrop of the stony castle. And in between lies the 

chase through the forbidding Dark Forest full of black shadows, ugly creatures,

 hissing snakes, followed by the seven dwarfs and their magical Fairy Land full 

of colourful butterflies, sparkling streams and birds singing here and there.

 In fact, there are times you are left wondering how this would look in 3D, 

specially when the chase and battles get more gloomy with horses, the Black 

Army, swords and shields.

Finally, it is the sharp contrast to Julia Roberts' recently released Mirror Mirror

 that  works in favour of this one. If that was funny, crazy and not-so-serious,

 this one is dark and vicious. However, it's the length of the movie that seems

 a way too long. But then all is justified when first time director, Rupert Sanders,

 gets back to the tried and tested fairly tale formula (of the happily-ever-

after kiss) right in time.

 And all logic be damned... for  there are two men -

 The Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) and Prince William ( Sam Claflin) -- 

 trying to woo the Princess. Wonder who gets to kiss Ms. White?

For now, over to Snow White, her (fairy) tale, the thumping background

 score, the visual treat, the fact that you know it (the story, we mean) all... 

and of course, Queen Ravenna....

Tip off: Watch it (for you will like it) only if you are ready to undo the spell that

 has been cast on you since time immemorial. Don't ask 'Who's the fairest 

of them all?'. Ask 'Who's the darkest of them all?' Definitely, Snow White

 and the Huntsman.