Snow White (or any fairytale for that matter) is one of the most loved and cherished stories of all time, so why is it that the 2012 reboot ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ doesn’t quite work? It contains a bevy of some of the best and brightest working actors. It is impeccably styled, including some of the most magnificent costumes ever seen on screen. It also boasts virtually seamless and stunning CGI. But what about the story? Princess? Check. Evil Queen? Check. Dwarves? Check. Oppression, magic, poison apple? Check check and check. So what’s the problem?
It’s so simple, the idea that it could possibly have been overlooked is almost criminal. It’s love. Throughout Snow White’s treacherous journey, perils and hardships, there’s always been the idea that love would, in the end, prevail. But not only that, love represents hope, something for the audience to root for. In ‘Snow White and the Huntsman‘, we see Snow White “girl power” it up and fight for her kingdom, its people even don some amour and chainmail and charge the front line to fight the evil Queen herself. Through it all we know she’s going to succeed because, well... that’s just how it goes - but what we don’t know because we don’t see it, is love.
'SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN' TRAILER
This particular story isn’t shy of possibilities either. In fact there are two... well, three is you include one of the dwarves. Snow has a childhood friend William who makes his way back into her life as an adult, and then there’s the Huntsman - tall, handsome, dangerous and most importantly, he’s damaged goods. Catnip for women everywhere. While these two men are dangled in front of the audiences face as possible love interests, they’re never indulged in as though they were secondary thoughts since Snow doesn’t need a man to save her because she does it herself. Imagine listening to a favourite song without the bass line. It’s good, it’s still your favourite song, but something is missing and you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. The love story is that bass line, because at the end of the day a film, like a song, is the sum of its parts - and in the case of ‘Snow White and The Huntsman’ 2+2=3.
The visuals from the sets and costumes all the way to the film's visual effects are truly something to behold.
Nonetheless, the visuals from the sets and costumes all the way to the film's visual effects are truly something to behold - particularly the dwarves, who are all played by regular-sized actors such as Bob Hoskins, Nick Frost and Ian McShane. Charlize Theron is fabulous as the impossibly beautiful yet highly unhinged Queen Ravenna. Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth both deliver solid performances as well, all while sporting an English and Scottish accent respectively.
This version may be a little wanting, but it does put in a solid effort and is worth a look.