Snow White and the Huntsman

An Evil Queen, with a passion for eternal youth, hunts her step daughter in order to obtain immortality.

The classic story of Snow White and the Evil Queen with a few new twists and turns. An evil Queen, takes control over a kingdom, after murdering her husband on their wedding night and taking over his castle with her own army.

Her vanity for beauty makes her destroy the country and demoralize the people, always searching for pretty girls to feed the magic which keeps her young and beautiful. With the aide of her magic mirror the Queen keeps tabs on the "Fairest of them all", erradicating all who would wish to claim that role. When her step daughter, "Snow White" comes of age and threatens to usurp her place as the most beautiful in the land, the Queen, knows that she must kill her and, by doing this, give herself everlasting youth.

When "Snow White" escapes to the dark forest, where the Queen's magic does not work, she sends a huntsman after her, ordered to remove her heart and bring it back to the ruler. In end, "Snow White" is the only one who can save her evil step mother, but also the only one who can end her tyrannous life.

For months we have been bombarded by the impressive previews that were put out about this film, and in a way they delivered. The special effects are some of the best I have ever seen; and the animation was something to behold.

Unfortunately a film, cannot depend wholeheartedly on these factors, the cast needs to hold up their end of the the bargain, and for the most part they did. Sadly, the title role of "Snow White" was given to Kristen Stewart, she of "Twilight" fame and, as much as the casting director would like to believe it; an actress of this caliber cannot hold up the business end of what in effect, was a mini epic. The 21 year old, truly did let herself down in this opportunity for her to shine, showing that she is not quite ready to take on these sorts of roles just yet. Her emotions and facial expressions were minimal and her acting talents, seem to have been put in a cupboard somewhere. Unlike fellow "Twilight" actress Anna Kendrick, this one still has a lot to learn about entertaining a discerning adult audience. Hopefully, with experience will come wisdom, but this performance was painful in places and average at best.

Oscar winner Charlize Theron is sublime as the "Evil Queen Ravenna", giving one of the finest performances of her career as this truly evil and demented character. Her performance made you want to stand up and applaud at times, her mood swings and outbursts, something to be treasured. A lot of the special effects in this film centered around her character, but combined with her acting prowess, made her role the true backbone of this film.

Australian born Chris Hemsworth's career seems to be on fire at the moment, with films literally rolling off the production line. He follows up his decent showings in "Thor" and "The Avengers" with a good outing as "The Huntsman", a grieving  and tortured alcoholic soul, who is tasked with hunting down the heroine and also propping up most of the film. He is not aided at all by the fact that he uses a Scottish accent throughout, which keeps slipping, but does cause for the odd comedic moment. His character is strong and powerful and gives the audience somebody to root for.

The audience is spared the pitiful efforts of Stewart with the introduction of the Seven Dwarfs, in this film, played by some of the best known faces in British cinema, with Hollywood veteran Bob Hoskins giving a truly admirable performance as the sightless "Muir". Ian McShane also weighs in with an impressive showing as "Beith", while other "dwarfs", Ray Winstone, Nick Frost, Eddie Marsdone, Toby Jones, Johnny Harris and the wonderfully lovable Brian Gleeson in the role of "Gus", brighten this film dramatically with their presence. The effects director should be praised highly for making these regular sized gentlemen, just three feet tall.

Sam Spruell does very decently as the downtrodden brother of the Evil Queen, but does struggle to garner any sympathy from the audience, coming across as a vile, demented and somewhat perverted toad. Keep an eye out for a decent cameo from model/actress Lily Cole as the victim, "Gretta", while although we don't his face, Christopher Obi, is rather scary as "The Man in the Mirror", using some amazing special effects.

The script is decent, slow in places, and not helped by Kristen Stewart, but manages to keep itself plodding along. It taught me a few new things, about the well known classic story, with the script writer taking a good few liberties. There is the odd laugh and not too much gratuitous violence, the story flows slowly, but is worth a watch in the end.

My only question goes to the casting director, as to in which fantasy world, is Kristen Stewart, fairer than former model Charlize Theron?

Worth the go and prepare to be astounded by both the special effects, and also Charlize Theron.

5.5/10