By Alvin Starks, NDG Special Contributor
“Lips red as blood, hair black as night, bring me your heart Snow White,” according to Charlize Theron’s Ravenna in the film Snow White and the Huntsman.
Theron is pit against Kristen Stewart’s Snow White in a gothic world fantastically created by debut director Rupert Sanders. Theron is brilliant in her performance as Ravenna, the evil queen who has staged a coup to overthrow the king and imprisoned Snow White. The grotesque and heinous actions she commits throughout the film will force audiences to cheer for her demise. However, Theron’s portrayal of the wicked queen could garner sympathy from moviegoers on a deeper, psychological level, because no one wants to grow old, sickly and lose their beauty.
Kristen Stewart does an adequate job as Snow White. Her tortured performance as the beautiful princess, who escapes into the Dark Forest out of the reach of the wicked queen, is similar to her performances as Bella in the Twilight movies. It would have been great if she had more lines to display more range within the character. Her transformation from captive princess to fierce warrior was a bit rushed and lacked the evolution necessary to make her role in the final battle believable.
Chris Hemsworth delivers as the drunken huntsman who has lost the only thing in the world that he loves. Hemsworth’s has way with archaic language and action sequences; he was perfect for the role of the huntsman. His onscreen chemistry with Stewart is undeniable and is a joy to watch.
The dwarves are played by a talented group of British actors: Nick Frost, Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, and Toby Jones. The dwarves are portrayed as scavengers, once noble warriors, who have fallen on hard times due to a decayed economy caused by Ravenna’s merciless reign. They offer comic relief at appropriate times during the film to break the tension, which is welcome considering the atmosphere.
During the fall award season, the cinematography of the film may garner Oscar buzz. Wraiths, harpies, ghoulish trees with serpents for branches, and an awe-inspiring troll inhabit the dark forest, which aesthetically is as integral to the story as a cast member. It represents a microcosm of the atmosphere of the film. Two of the most riveting visions in the film are the scenes of Ravenna bathing in white liquid that encases her nude body, and the second scene of Ravenna crawling out of a pool of black oil which displays power and vulnerability.
Snow White and the Huntsman is an epic, action adventure, grounded in a grim world. Sander’s adaption of the classic tale is striking and a delight to beyond. The film is definitely worth seeing despite a few hiccups in the script. In the midst of Hollywood’s run of fairytale remakes, Snow White and the Huntsman is indeed the fairest of them all. The movie is worthy of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
