Snow White and the Huntsman

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlise Theron, Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Nick Frost.
Director: Rupert Sanders

I must admit, I'm really over the whole Twilight, Kristen Stewart, Rob Pattinson mania. There's nothing special about any of it. Yes, I do like the Twilight movies, and I will see the final one, but unlike the Harry Potter franchise, I am not sad to see it end. Unfortunately, it will be replaced with something else for the hormone fueled masses to go stupidly insane over. Let's hope it's not this.

When this first reared it's head, it came at the same time as another "Snow White" movie called "Mirror Mirror". I haven't seen this supposedly light hearted, comedic take on the classic fairy tale, but I can only imagine that these two movies are worlds apart.

Snow White and the Huntsman is a very dark, medieval telling of the sweet girl who loses everything and becomes the target of her evil step mother due to her being prettier than anyone else in the kingdom. Cue dwarves, cute singing animals helping with the housework, hi ho, hi ho, you know the rest.

This was so well done that I can't even begin to describe it. Charlise Theron is exceptionally well cast as the vain and incredibly nasty Ravenna, who finds her way into the castle of King Magnus and his beautiful daughter, Snow White, who are still grieving for the loss of a wife and mother.

When King Magnus is murdered by his rather vain new wife, Snow White is locked in a tower and almost forgotten until the day that she comes of age and the new Queen can no longer ignore the power of her beauty, inside and out.

Enter 'The Huntsman', played by our very own Chris Hemsworth. Not sure about the vague Scottish accent that he's using, but he was still pretty good. He is employed by the Queens rather freakish albino brother, Finn,  to find Snow White after she escapes the tower and heads for the Black Forest.

The CG here was amazing and on the big screen, a little frightening for younger viewers. This is definately one for the older teens and adults, not younger kids.

Thus Snow Whites adventure with the Huntsman begins when he discovers just who she is and why the Queen wants her. He vows to protect her and lead her to safety.

Along the way we meet the dwarves. Yes, the dwarves are in here, and to me, this was the most impressive make up, CG, casting throughout the whole movie. Name like Ray Winstone, Bob Hoskins, Nick Frost, Ian McShane and Toby Jones are transformed into 8 very gruff and rather dangerous looking dwarves and not a Dopey among them!

The gorgeous forest that the dwarves inhabit was amazing. The CG here was very similar to that of the garden that Alice finds herself in at the beginning of Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland, with blinking mushrooms and cute forest animals everywhere. It was truly magical. The scene where Snow White meets the White Stag is beautifully done.

The music set the scene throughout the movie and the costumes were just spectacular. Oscar winner Colleen Atwood has done a gorgeous job once again. It's no wonder this woman is in high demand, especially for fantasy films like this.

As I type, I have just discovered that they have announced a sequel. Not sure how I feel about it, but they certainly ended it in a way that they could continue the story. Where they would take it I don't know, but I'm willing to go along for the ride if it's as good as this was.

Thoroughly enjoyable, highly recommend for those who love to escape into fantasy for a couple of hours and not take it too seriously.