Review: Snow White and the Huntsman

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This is one of those movies that had potential but failed to find itself. Is it horror? Is it fantasy? Is it drama? Is it a period piece? It tried to do all those things at once and it didn't come off.

The plot suffers as well. I saw the extended version released with the DVD and have not seen the original so I don't know what was added, but among the items that suffer are Ravenna as a little girl and her relationship with the Mirror. I get the impression that Ravenna as a little girl was added but it didn't really answer that question satisfactorily. Similarly, the mirror plays a very minor role and we are left to wonder if the mirror is really alive or some sort of gateway or if it's just part of Ravenna's insanity; a figment of her imagination. The dwarves, Prince William, the Huntsman, and Snow White's time in prison could all use better treatment.

I have heard the criticism of Kristin Stewart in this role but having never seen a Twilight movie, I can't speak to that. She was okay though I thought the twisted crook of her mouth in various scenes detracts from the notion that she is the fairest one of all. Otherwise, I understand the conflict between blond and brunette used to illustrate the different varieties of "fairest one of all". Ravenna is obviously a foreigner in this context or she just dyes her hair in rebellion against the society around her.

Having said all that, it is certainly worth seeing as a rental or in a "dollar" theater and is a little better than Mirror Mirror overall. That later movie had a better (though not nearly as hot) evil Queen and mirror but dropped off significantly from there. Perhaps I just have higher expectations of my fairy tales. I liked watching it but have much in the way of criticism.

I rate Snow White and the Huntsman 5 out of 10.
Mirror Mirror 4 out of 10.