Review: Snow White and the Huntsman

by Louisa Stark

(source: collider.com)

With each generation comes the reinvention of our most beloved stories; from the gothic illustrations of Arthur Rackham to the iconic animations of Walt Disney, each era has had its own distinctive version of the fairy-tale.

Following the trend started by the shadowy reworking of Little Red Riding Hood in the winter, Snow White and the Huntsman proved to be a far cry from the sweet Disney cartoon.

Having escaped from the tower she has been imprisoned in for most of her life, Snow White (Kirsten Stewart) is fleeing from the axe wielding huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) charged with her recapture.  Trapped in a dark forest of danger and decay, the plans of the evil queen Ravenna to seek immortality by consuming her heart appear to be the least of her worries.  The violent action scenes and powerful imagery of ravens signal that this is no longer the realm of ‘happily ever after’, but the more disturbing world intended by the Brothers Grimm.

Through the stunning use of visual effects and dazzling depiction of the vain villainess by Charlize Theron, this film was rescued from its long and, at times, boring script.  Undoubtedly a fairy-tale for our times, the desperate quest for eternal youth makes this story even more relevant to audiences today than when it was first conceived; the antique tale of Snow White has kept pace with this generation and been brought to our screens with flair and imagination.