Snow White and the Huntsman

Source: http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=70235

Another Snow White adaption that we can add to 2012’s Snow White adaption résumé. 200 years after the original fairytale was written and 75 years after the Disney classic was released the bedtime story has had another fierce makeover. Starring Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth this film is worth seeing. 

Source: http://www.stylenoir.co.uk/snow-white-and-the-huntsman/

To have a strong female lead is no longer a rare feature in contemporary culture however, 200 years ago and even just 75 years ago society’s views on women differed greatly. Kristen Stewart’s Snow White is not the sort to stay at home and cook and clean for seven perfectly capable yet vertically challenged men. Her courage and feistiness leads her into battle against the evil Queen, Ravenna with the rest of the villagers on her side. 

Source: http://collider.com/colleen-atwood-snow-white-huntsman-thin-man-interview/164379/

As for Ravenna, she is unbelievably vindictive however; one cannot help but pity her at times. Yes, she kills her new husband on their wedding night and sucks youth out of people but whilst she commits each evil deed there are tears in her eyes and sometimes they fall down her face. It seems as though she has got in too deep and just does not know when to stop. 

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/snow_white_and_the_huntsman/

There is definitely a great emotional journey that the watcher travels with Snow White on. This is a story of jealously, beauty, revenge and bravery. So, what do the dwarves bring to the table? The comedy of course; it was the same in Mirror, Mirror. Meanwhile the huntsmen and Snow’s childhood friend add a bit of eye candy for the female viewers whilst Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart and Lily Cole showcase their beauty. At least Lily Cole does until Charlize sucks the youth out of her. 

Source: http://www.awardscircuit.com/tag/snow-white-and-the-huntsman/

Charlize does look beautiful playing Ravenna until she starts to age and go a little crazy. However, I think her beauty does evoke more pity for the Queen because it seems as though she strives to be beautiful whereas Snow White is the fairest of them all even though for most of the film she is covered in dirt and engaging in androgynous quests. 

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/jun/02/rupert-sanders-snow-white-huntsman

The film was aesthetically very beautiful and the idea of light and dark was played with a lot and in Snow White’s motivational speech before she leads the village in to battle verbalises this theme. The light, fresh parts are far away from the Queen’s palace and at the Queen’s palace everything is dark and shrivelled up ready to die. The dark forest is another feast for the eyes but not if you are squeamish. Everything starts to contort itself and turn into all sorts of dark insects and grotesque creatures. Contrasting with that is the scene with the white deer, the floral tortoise and the cute little elves. Here there is a burst of bright colour that is so different from the colour scheme so far that it makes the watcher feel quite emotional.

Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/snow-white-huntsman-rupert-sanders-charlize-theron-kristen-stewart-301501

The film maintained a lot of graphic violence which could be found rather disturbing both visually and emotionally. However, that said, the special effects were superb. It was the gore that really made it and helps the audience to form strong emotional bonds with the characters. It was definitely a dark twist on the tale that also explored the madness behind evil. 

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/review-snow-white-is-potentially-untapped/263859-47-78.html

The one thing I was disappointed with was the lack of romance. I do not want to spoil the plot but I will just say that there is a large build up to something romantic happening at the end however, it does not. It ends on a sort of cliff hanger and made me curious like in a celebrity interview when asked about their love life the celebrity does not have an answer or would rather keep it private. Perhaps the lack of romance demonstrates that she does not need a man in her life for her to be the strong, powerful, kick-ass Snow White that she is. 

Source: http://www.impawards.com/2012/snow_white_and_the_huntsman_ver12.html

Another beautiful part of the film is Ravenna’s costumes designed by Academy-Award winning costume designer, Colleen Atwood. Of course, the rest of the kingdom is starving whilst she struts around in lavish gowns but surely that is the whole point of an evil Queen. Either way, the film has made me more grateful for our Queen. The Jubilee weekend is over but the hype has not quite dyed down. Due to the fact that Britain is a developed country and magic does not exist (sob, the illusion is shattered) I doubt we will ever be under the rule of someone as spiteful as Ravenna however, there are places out there that are held under a cruel dictatorship so take a while to think of them and then go and book up to see this film.