Customer Reviews

Snow White and the Huntsman [DVD] [2012]

5 star:		(122)
4 star:		(70)
3 star:		(49)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Throw out your ideas of disney. Come to this with a blank mind.
Brilliant special effects. Kirsten is excellent in the part. This was a role not
Intended for someone who pouts beautifully on camera. It's dirty and gritty
As the character was intended to be someone who had spent about 8 years
In solitary confinement - you would no expect the character to be bubbly and
Gushing. I would say throw away the story book, and see this with fresh eyes.

But the movie is great. The effects - both visual and special - were amazing. Plain and simple. The scenery is fantastic and very well incorporated into the movie. Theron makes a convincing Queen, worthy of our fear. Hemsworth makes a believable drunken huntsman, lost in his own grief and Stewart delivers one of the best portrayals of one of the most recognisable fairytale characters. I was - along with a lot of other people, I'm sure - surprised and almost "shocked" at the uncharacteristic casting choices but after viewing the finished product I understood and agreed.
Some people write these reviews based solely on trying to tarnish the acting of an actor or actress. It's both rude and tacky.
The truth is, the movie is good. It's not Oscar worthy but I don't think I've ever read anything about it being in the running for a statuette. It's not as ground breaking as some apparently thought it would be, but it is fun and entertaining and I will gladly place it into my collection.

A lot of hate for this film in the lower end of the stars spectrum seems to be based entirely on the fact Kristen Stewart is in the film. And as it is super important that nobody is seen to like anything even closely linked to twilight.

I dislike twilight as much as the next adult who doesn't really get the appeal of a hundred+ year old vampire seducing a teenage school girl! But I think it is important to realise that this is not Kristen Stewarts fault and shouldn't be the sole point on which all her future work is judged.
(note, this is not to dismiss every review down in the 1 and 2 stars, some have some really valid points- just the ones that clearly went into the film decided that she is Bella and thus must be slammed)

So the film, I really enjoyed it. The acting is solid for the most, although not sure why Chris Hemworth went with the Scottish accent? He does a fairly good job with it, but it does slip every now and then.
Kristen Stewart is a good snow white, she has a great look for that pure and innocent feel the film needed. She also did a pretty good job with her accent and saved what could have been a fairly forgettable part with a great delivery of a rousing speech towards the back end of the movie.
The stand out performances for me were Charlize Theron and Sam Spruell, who put in excellent turns as the Wicked Queen and her brother.

I do think it was a little long and drawn out in places, with appearances by characters from the tale that felt shoehorned in. But A very enjoyable film, and one that maybe is taking a little more flack than it deserves in my opinion.

Firstly, this movie aims to sweep away the Disney tinsel and tell the grittier, harder story that the tale of Snow White once was. It does this with style, action and the injection of subtle romance and occasional well timed humor.

As a rough guide, if you liked the Princess Bride, the Narnia or LOTR films you will enjoy this one.

Charlize Theron makes a 'good' baddie and in fact Sam Spruel does a fine job of playing her equally troubled and wicked sibling. The dwarves are all well played, by a first rate collection of reliable English character actors and Sam Clafin makes a charming and daring prince, who happens to be very handy with a bow and arrow.

In other reviews some criticism has been laid at the feet of the performances by Chris Hemsworth and Kristen Stewart, with references to 'stoical' as if this term denotes a weakness in their characters. In truth both characters are in many ways as touched by darkness as the characters of the wicked Ravenna and her devious brother Finn. That they have come through their brush with darkness with their integrity either still in tact, as in the case of Snow White, or renewed, as in the case of the Huntsman are elements of their characters which both actors put across well.

In their portrayals of the Huntsman and the Princess there is no downward spiral into the screaming, rages of Ravenna or the smirking, cruelty of her brother. Instead Hemsworth and Stewart portray their characters in a way that does justice to their basic heroism, yet they are not shiny 'perfect creatures' but real people with real feelings who just happen to live in a world of sorcery, fairies and trolls.

They portray the suffering souls of the Huntsman and Princess in such a way that one sees the affinity they share under the surface. Snow White senses that a deep sorrow drives the Huntsman's need to drink and he begins to appreciate that a young girl can have similar feelings of sorrow, loss and disappointment.

Basically, its an excellent movie, with outstanding special effects and good acting all round

I was intrigued by this film, and wondered what kind of take on Snow White this would be. It is very dark, darker than I thought it would be, and cleverly incorporates the recognisable elements of the original fairlytale into it without seeming to overdo it. Kristen Stewart, who I have only seen in Panic Room before this, gives an excellent performance. I don't know why she has been slated by others on here, as for me, she gave a believable and gritty performance.I liked the fact that she is a tough woman, battling another tough woman, and has an army of men in league with her-very refreshing when so many woman in Hollywood are shoved into the tiresome role of 'girlfriend' or 'sex kitten'. The rest of the cast are excellent too-Charlize Theron is really rather scary as the evil Queen! The visuals are beautiful and bleak and the music by John Newton Howard is lovely. I found this moving, well acted and highly enjoyable. Try it without having any preconceptions and you'll love it.

This film really captured my heart and liking: the characters are believable, the story is different enough to the traditional one (but not too different), the actors play their roles extraordinarily well and the craftmanship is excellent (just watching the extras gives you an even better in-depth look of that). I saw it in the cinema and still bought it on blu-ray and keep enjoying the film + there's the digital copies to enjoy mobile-wise too. For me perhaps my favourite film from the last year or so definitely.

Very different from most movies and very interesting, terrific acting by the cast and enjoyable to watch. Entertaining at its best things happening all the time keeps you on your edge, so try and relax with the munchies with your eyes glued to the screen for a wonderful night of entertainment.

Snow White and The Huntsman had the potential to be a fantasy masterpiece; there was a star-studded cast, the action scenes were gripping and the visual effects were simply fantastic. While many of the vital ingredients were there it felt like something was missing. We see the beautiful but twisted Queen (Theron) obsessed with vanity and power as she seeks to destroy the innocent Snow White (Stewart) with the help of the Huntsman (Hemsworth) and rule her kingdom. However the storyline felt disjointed and slightly comedic (albeit unintentionally at times) when the dwarves and magical creatures arrived. Scenes such as the Dark Forest were atmospheric but consequently ruined by awkward acting when the tension should be palpable. Perhaps my expectations were too high from the action-packed trailer but Snow White didn't hit the mark for me. Many of the shots were aesthetically beautiful, such as the Queen rising naked dripping in liquid, but these images rarely added substance to the plot despite being memorable. Unfortunately I felt that the lead roles fell a little flat and lacked the necessary chemistry for this wonderful story. Yes, this film injects some new ideas and good effects into this classic fairytale but it definitely had the potential to be something more.

This film really is worth a look even if only for the aesthetic aspect of it. We all know the story of Snow White, yet this re-telling has Snow as more 'warrior princess' than 'damsel in distress'. It is a role which requires versatility and emotion, both of which Kristen Stewart lacks. Her wooden acting makes Snow White hard to root for, I felt no emotional connection to the character or her plight. Charlize Theron, however, as the wicked Queen is magnificent. Over-acted, some might say, but in my opinion she plays the beauty and youth-obsessed queen perfectly. The white bath scene in particular is one of the film's most memorable scenes. The Huntsman (Hemsworth) is a typical anti-hero, and the part was played very well despite zero chemistry with Stewart.
The plot is fairly basic, Snow needs to get from A to B with the help of the reluctant Huntsman. They are chased by the Queen's brother - a genuinely creepy character - and his men who need to get her back to the queen. A prince is added to the bunch in an entirely unnecessary sub-plot as he ALSO has no chemistry with Stewart. The dwarves are hilarious, and the places they visit are both atmospheric and visual masterpieces.
I really did enjoy this film, but the reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is Kristen Stewart. Her awkward acting and lack of emotional depth made her character frustrating. And whoever cast her as 'the fairest in the land' when she has to go up against the stunning Charlize Theron needs a serious reality check. And, thanks to her 'indiscretion', the rushed and 'let's leave it for the sequel' ending is a let down as this will most likely be a stand-alone film.

First of all, don't expect this film to be like Disney's production in anyway at whole. It is not sugary, it is dark and deep.

Charlize Theron as the wicked Queen gives an excellent performance although she does go a bit over the top at the start of the film. Kristen Stewart plays Snow White and does it admirably.

The film owes more to the tales of the Grimm Brothers in its darkness and evil. The land itself is slowly being poisoned by Ravenna the Queen. Her magic mirror is brilliant piece of CGI, the image inside it, flows out like a river of molten gold to reveal the spirit within it. Having been told by the spirit of the mirror that she is no longer 'the fairest of them all' she has Snow White brought before her with the intention of killing her. She manages to escape but the Queen hires a Hunstman to find her and bring her back.

Meanwhile, Snow White is stuck in a forest of nightmares.......(the special effects here are stunning). She is soon pursued by the Queens brother but once again manages to escape.

She meets up with the dwarves who are nothing like the Disney characters. These are battle hardened warriors. Eventually the Hunstsman believes who she is and promises to help her. So, with the aid of the dwarves and the Huntsman she sets out of avenge her Father and take her rightful place as Queen. However, before this, she takes a bite of the inevitably poisoned apple and to all intents and purposes is dead. The person who kisses her and breaks the spell is not a Prince............

Both my husband and I enjoyed this film tremendoulsy.