Rated PG for some fantasy action and mild rude humor.
Starring Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer, and Nathan Lane
Directed by Tarsem Singh (The Cell, Immortals)
Even Julia Roberts can be in a dud.
After a beloved King vanishes, his ruthless wife seizes control of the kingdom and keeps her beautiful 18-year-old stepdaughter, Snow White, hidden away in the palace. But when the princess attracts the attention of a charming and wealthy visiting prince, the jealous Queen banishes the girl to a nearby forest. Taken in by a band of rebellious but kindhearted dwarfs, Snow White blossoms into a brave young woman determined to save her country from the Queen. With the support of her new friends, she roars into action to reclaim her birthright and win back her Prince in this magical adventure comedy that will capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences the world over.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Walt Disney’s first full-length animated film. Released in the UK in March 1938, it became such a revered classic that Hollywood has all but left the story alone. Until now.
Enter Indian film director Tarsem Singh, who made The Cell with Jennifer Lopez in 2000 and last year’s Immortals. Both of these movies illustrated that Singh has an amazing talent to show us things we have never seen. So visually Singh is an amazing director. But his story telling muscles need to be strengthened.
Mirror, Mirror doesn’t have that visual wow factor and the familiar story falls flat as well. Not even Julia Roberts could save this one.
In fact, in many ways she completely overshadows Lily Collins as Snow White. She and Armie Hammer as Prince Alcott are almost incidental to the plot.
Then there are the seven dwarfs. When I first saw the trailer and these slapstick style dwarfs, I could only hope it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. But no, it was worse. There is a scene when they are literally bouncing around on stilts with some of the most annoying costumes ever.
Nathan Lane tries his best as the Queen’s sidekick, but it’s too little too late. This one is worth watching…but “only if it’s free.”
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
This one is rated PG and is suitable for all ages.
Conversation Starter:
- What would you say is one of the over arching themes of the movie? (What’s inside doesn’t match what’s on the outside.)
- Who are some of the characters who’s insides and outsides didn’t match?
- Who are some people that you know who’s insides and outsides don’t match?
- Which one do we often care more about?
- Which one do you think God cares about?
Read 1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
- What are some ways we can live out this verse and see people the way God sees them?
