Blu-ray Review Snow White and the Huntsman
Directed by: Rupert Sanders Cast: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron Running Time: 2 hrs 8 mins (Extended Edition: 2 hrs 12 mins) Rating: PG-13 Due Out: September 11, 2012
PLOT: The evil Queen Ravenna (Theron) sends a huntsman (Hemsworth) into the Dark Forest to recapture the escaped Snow White (Stewart). Ravenna's plan goes awry when the huntsman ends up protecting her instead.
WHO'S IT FOR? There is plenty of gorgeous imagery on display, and Charlize Theron is a lot of fun, but anyone hoping for more will likely be disappointed.
MOVIE:
This year’s two Snow White films are a great example of why trailers cannot always be trusted. I was embarrassed by the Mirror Mirror marketing, yet I ended up being won over by its whimsical charm. On the other hand, I was completely enamored by the gorgeous visuals found in the trailer for Snow White and the Huntsman. Unfortunately, that’s basically all the film is: a collection of pretty images. That can make a mean trailer, but it won’t add up to anything worthwhile if there isn’t a quality script.
Things such as dialogue, pacing, and tone don’t seem to have been given much attention. In a jarring tonal shift we go from a village of scarred women to the lighthearted meeting of the dwarfs. It’s here, however, where the film briefly manages to capture a fairy tale’s sense of wonder. The sanctuary they travel through feels truly magical, something the rest of the film is sorely lacking. Charlize Theron aside, the only other things this has going for it are design elements (particularly Colleen Atwood’s costumes and the visual effects) and the Florence + the Machine track that plays over the end credits.
As I’ve said before, I like Kristen Stewart. That’s why it pains me to say I can’t defend her this time. Snow White is apparently one with the earth, the epitome of life itself, so pure that creatures flock to her and the mere sight of her causes trolls to cease attacking! Stewart embodies none of that. She’s even less convincing when it comes time for her to strap on some armor and lead the charge against the evil Queen. Her chemistry with Chris Hemsworth’s huntsman leaves a lot to be desired as well. Luckily there’s Charlize Theron around to steal the show. She relishes the opportunity to go wide-eyed crazy, and that helps save the film from being completely abysmal. Poor Stewart never had a chance opposite Theron, especially not with her going delightfully campy as she shouts things like “I neeeed her heeaaaarrrrt!”
Director Rupert Sanders has an eye for visuals, consistently filling the screen with beautiful images. Sadly, very few of those images amount to anything – the visually arresting, but ultimately meaningless milk bath fits this perfectly. Snow White’s beauty is more than skin deep. That’s an idea Snow White and the Huntsman should have taken to heart.
MOVIE SCORE: 4/10
EXTRAS
Blu-ray and DVD Bonus Features:
A New Legend Is Born Feature Commentary with director Rupert Sanders, visual effects supervisor Cedric Nicolas-Troyan and co-editor Neil Smith
Bonus Features Exclusive to the Blu-ray
Reinventing the Fairy Tale Citizens of the Kingdom The Magic of Snow White and the Huntsman Around the Kingdom: 360° Set Tour Universal's Second Screen (includes Flick View, Behind the Scenes (Picture in Picture), Around the Kingdom: 360° Set Tour, Virtual Flip books, Cast of Characters) UltraViolet Digital Copy pocket BLU App (includes Advanced Remote Control, Video Timeline, Mobile-to-Go, Browse Titles, Keyboard) BD-LIVE