Snow White and the Huntsman (2012 movie)

Directed by: Rupert Sanders
Released: 2012
Country: United States

Main cast: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Charlize Theron, Bob Hoskins, Sam Spruell

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Drama

Rating: 3 out of 5

Review

We had heard the fairytale ''Snow White''  by Brothers Grimm when we were children. Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937) had been one of the loveliest films ever made.

And this year, two films inspired by the fairytale ''Snow White'' has been made: ''Mirror Mirror'' and ''Snow White and the Huntsman''. I'd previously talked about ''Mirror Mirror'' in this blog. But today I saw ''Snow White and the Huntsman'' directed by Rupert Sanders, and starring Kristen Stewart, whom we all know from the Twilight films.

''Snow White and the Huntsman'' is actually inspired by the fairytale Snow White. Some of the major elements have been taken from ''Snow White'', but there are many elements, many things in this film which you'll not find in the fairytale.

First of all, ''Snow White and the Huntsman'' is not the sweet and lovely fairytale you read as a child. Instead, it is a violent, a dark, a grim film. Don't expect to enjoy the fairytale by seeing this film.

In spite of being violent, ''Snow White and the Huntsman'' somehow possesses a kind of sweetness. It is somehow engrossing and enjoyable.

In the first few scenes, we see Snow White's birth, her childhood, and her mother's death. Following her mother's death, her father marries the beautiful Ravenna (played by Charlize Theron). She kills the King on the night of the wedding, captures Snow White, and keep her imprisoned. Several years later, Snow White is now a young woman, played by Kristen Stewart, kept imprisoned in a dark place in the north tower of the castle. The country has been shattered by the cruel Queen Ravenna.

Queen Ravenna's Magic Mirror informs her that she will be immortal only if she consumes Snow White's heart, otherwise she'll be destroyed by Snow White one day. The Queen orders her brother Finn to bring Snow White, but Snow White escapes and runs to the Forest. The Queen sends a Huntsman (played by Chris Hemsworth) to capture Snow White and bring her, promising him that she would use her magical powers to bring his late wife back.

When the huntsman and the Queen's men find Snow White and the huntsman comes to know that the Queen cannot bring back his wife, he instead fights the Queen's men, and he promises to take her to Duke Hammond's castle (Duke Hammond had been able to escape). Then a number of events and adventures follow.  Eight dwarves find them, they travel to a fairy sanctuary, are attacked by the Queen's men, and William, Duke Hammond's son and Snow White's childhood companions, finds them. Then a number of events follow, including a battle, but I won't be revealing anything anymore.

I hope I haven't given much spoilers above.

So, this ''short'' summary must give you the idea that the story of the film ''Snow White and the Huntsman'' is far from the story of the fairytale. In fact, the forest scenes are very grim, and some of the violence scenes are a bit intense, but I didn't find anything disturbing.

But, however, the film isn't thoroughly grim! The fairy sanctuary scenes are highly beautiful and colorful. The fairies are interesting. There are also a few fairy tale creatures in those scenes.

Acting was generally good. Kristen Stewart is good as Snow White. Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron's performances are highly remarkable. Others such as Bob Hoskins (playing a dwarf) and Sam Spruell (playing Finn), and all others, give wonderful performances.

The film has some very good background music. The scenes are beautifully shot. In spite of being dark, the film is actually enjoyable because of it's presentation, background music, and excellent acting.

''Snow White and the Huntsman'' shouldn't be compared to ''Mirror Mirror''. The two movies, though both inspired by Snow White, are quite different. While ''Snow White and the Huntsman'' is more violent and dark, ''Mirror Mirror'' is a funny, sweet, and romantic movie. But personally, I found ''Snow White and the Huntsman'' much more better than ''Mirror Mirror''.

Another thing to point out: I think this film is definitely not for children under the age of eleven or twelve. It's rated PG-13 ''for intense sequences of violence and action, and brief some brief sensuality''.

Overall, this film just has a few major elements from the fairytale Snow White, but there are twists and changes in the film. This film was worth watching, it was quite good. 

3 out of 5.