Snow White and the Huntsman (09/11/2012)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and brief sensuality.

Starring Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, and Charlize Theron

Directed by Rupert Sanders

I don’t care what the Mirror says, Kristen Stewart is not fairest of them all.

In the action-adventure Snow White and the Huntsman, Kristen Stewart (Twilight) plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen (Charlize Theron) out to destroy her. But what the wicked ruler never imagined is that the young woman threatening her reign has been training in the art of war with a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth, Thor) dispatched to kill her. Sam Claflin (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) joins the cast as the prince long enchanted by Snow White’s beauty and power.

Jonathan’s Word: This was an interesting film. Really well shot, a ton of talent…but they couldn’t quite package it all together. The result was a very dark film that was quite boring at times.

Todd’s Word: This was a dark film. The first Snow White adaptation of the year, Mirror Mirror, was a sunnier, kid-friendly movie (see review here) …

Jonathan’s Word: And personally, I thought Mirror, Mirror was far poorer than this film. It was just plain stupid.

Todd’s Word: The two films couldn’t be more different. Snow White and the Huntsman, tries to be a darker, serious action movie for grown-ups, where Mirror, Mirror tries to be more of a fun family film.

Jonathan’s Word: Yeah, but the only fun part of that movie was when the credits rolled and I could leave the theatre.

Todd’s Word: Which movie are we reviewing here?

Jonathan’s Word: Sorry. I couldn’t resist. Back to Snow White and the Huntsman.

Todd’s Word: The story of Snow White is a pretty dark story. Go back and watch the old cartoon. It’s surprisingly dark at times. In this new film, Director, Rupert Sanders tries to tell the familiar story without winking at the audience with a ton of nods to the Disney cartoon.

The film’s star, on the other hand, doesn’t try at all. Let’s be honest, Kristen Stewart, is a terrible actress. But she has made a killing by breathing heavy and looking into her co-stars eyes way too long. Now she is back at it…and involved in another love triangle – more on that later.

Jonathan’s Word: Okay, let’s just get it out here. Neither of us like the Twilight films. I can’t stand the series. I’d rather watch any Ernest Goes to Jail than any Twilight film. But let’s not let that sway our opinion of Kristen Stewart. True, the actress doesn’t have a lot of range. But she’s not terrible. I think Snow White and the Huntsman had script issues.

Todd’s Word: I have to say I enjoyed the first half…mostly because Kristen is not in it (or has a limited role), but once she stumbles through the forest and struggles to make a normal face – it seemed like she just wasn’t sure what emotion she was suppose to be feeling – it all falls apart. But the lowest point was her “battle speech”…ugh it was awful!

Jonathan’s Word: She didn’t distract me that bad. I just think the pacing was way too slow. And a little comic relief could have helped. Any of the Lord of the Rings films would be the perfect example of a good balance between dark, sinister moments and then laugh out loud fun.

Todd’s Word: Then I guess I won’t even talk about the romantic triangle between Snow White, the huntsman (Chris Hemsworth), and a duke’s son (Sam Claflin).

The high point of the movie was Charlize Theron as the evil Ravenna. She is both scary and beautiful…especially standing next to her creepy albino brother, Finn.

Jonathan’s Word: Agreed. But Theron is always good. Talk about an actress with range.

Todd’s Word: Hemsworth also does a decent job as Thor…I mean the huntsman. OK, he‘s not exactly stretching any of his acting muscles either, but at least he’s cool. Except for a few failed attempts of clever banter with Snow White…which I do blame more on her than on him.

Then there is the duke’s son. With little screen time and almost no reason to be in the story at all, he never stood a chance.

I’d have to say the magic mirror – which takes an unexpectedly cool visual form – is probably the coolest part of the whole movie. But the seamless special effects with the dwarfs (Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, and Nick Frost among them) also take an honorable mention.

Jonathan’s Word: And don’t forget Ray Winstone, another amazing actor. I was actually really impressed with the casting of this film. But even this cast couldn’t pull it off. It just goes to show you how important a good script is.

Todd’s Word: There were a few positive elements of Snow White and the Huntsman, but when it’s over — and it’s over a good 15 minutes later than it should be – Kristen Stewart is Snow White and she just can’t carry a movie. So I say “Skip It.”

Jonathan’s Word: Yeah, the film had me looking at my watch throughout. But I’ll at least give it an “Only if it’s Free” score, because the acting and the cinematography was really well done.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex or nudity, but we do see Charlize Theron get into a bath of white liquid (we see her bare back and legs when she drops her robe).

There are a few profane words but the biggest surprise was the amount of violence and gore. We see “epic-looking” battle scenes, Ravenna killing several people and several other disturbing images.

Snow White and the Huntsman isn’t the sweet and colorful fairy tale that’s depicted in other adaptations: This is a very dark, violent, moody story with a lot of death and mature themes.

Conversations Starter:

1. Have you ever heard the quote, “Hurting people hurt people”? What do you think that quote means?


2. In the story, what happened to Ravenna that lead to her hurt?


3. How does she respond to her hurt?


4. How does Snow White respond?


5. Why do you think Snow White responds differently?


6. Read 1 Peter 3:9
   Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.

   How can you be a blessing to those who have hurt you?