Mirror Mirror

The classic story of Snow White, done a little differently this time....

We all know the much told and much loved story of Snow White, the evil queen and the Seven Dwarfs, but this year we are treated to a side of the tale, that we have never seen before!

Put together a jealous, yet very comical and incredibly bitchy queen, a tomboy of a Snow White, a prince Charming who may well have been stood behind the door where brains were handed out; AND the Seven dwarfs like you have never seen them before, for the most interesting version of this fairy tale you are ever likely to see.

In so many renditions of this story, you find the Queen to be ultimately evil and Snow White, cute, innocent and naive, while the Dwarfs never really take top billing. Well this film is different, and opens you up to a side of the story you would never really consider. For the first time ever, the dwarfs are the ones who take the majority of the limelight, while the Queen (Julia Roberts), although evil, conceited and vain, is still somewhat of a lovable character, despite her maniacal intentions.

I was not too sure what to expect from this one, but was pleasantly surprised by the way director Tarsem Singh, who follows "The Immortals" with this delightfully dark comedy has grasped the concept and run with it. The film is upbeat, with more funny one liners than you can count and keeps the piece light enough for the kids, while still keeping the adult audience interested.

Hollywood legend Julie Roberts gives a superb performance as the Evil Queen, bringing some much needed lightness to the role which has always been interpreted as one of the darkest in film. Her grasp of the character is great and really makes her a lot more likable than has been the case in this story before. It is sometimes hard to recognize, just how evil she is, but she really ads a whole new dimension to the piece.

UK Born Lily Collins, who reminded me for 2 hours of a very young Audrey Hepburn, takes the role of Snow White, bringing a new independent view to a roll which has traditionally shown her as a victim. She kicks ass and takes names and actually makes the story a lot better. Little known Armie Hammer, continues his good form from "J Edgar", with a rather different view on "Prince Charming", but this interpretation, only ads to the comedic value.

The Dwarfs in this film are superb. Some better known faces than others, with Martin Klebba, taking on a far more enjoyable role as "Butcher", than his last outing, which saw him stuffed in an oven in "Project X". Good showings also come from Danny Woodburn as "Grimm" and the very funny Mark Povinelli, who follows up his leading role in "Water for Elephants", with a fantastic showing as the would be ladies man "Half Pint".

Nathan Lane however is the one who steals the show as the ever creeping "Brighton", personal servant to the Queen. He gives a brilliant performance as a spineless weed and will have audiences rolling in the aisles with his expressive antics. Also, keep an eye out for a rather enjoyable cameo, by British actor, Sean Bean and one of the most random endings to a film I have ever seen.

This is a really enjoyable film for the whole family and will entertain both young and old alike. You will laugh a lot more than you ever have at this classic story, but the final scene will leave you scratching your head.

6/10