I tried to get into the fun spirit this film so obviously wants to create, but had to give up half way through when I realized that no fun was going to be had from this ponderous and pretty terrible revisionist fairy tale.
What is it with studios today that want to reinvent beloved and well-known stories and then remove from them everything that made them charming and endearing in the first place? "Snow White and the Hunstman" is done in the style currently in vogue in Hollywood action movies -- it's all slow motion and over-amplified sound effects, completely lacking in humor or any sense of wonder. I am completely baffled by Kristen Stewart's appeal. She has one expression as an actress -- sullen boredom. She always looks like she'd rather be anywhere but where she actually is, either in a movie or in real life. I thought if nothing else Charlize Theron would be some fun as the wicked queen, but she overplays it to the hilt and is directed to take her role far too seriously. Sure, there are some neat special effects and some good-looking production design, but who cares?
Grade: D
What is it with studios today that want to reinvent beloved and well-known stories and then remove from them everything that made them charming and endearing in the first place? "Snow White and the Hunstman" is done in the style currently in vogue in Hollywood action movies -- it's all slow motion and over-amplified sound effects, completely lacking in humor or any sense of wonder. I am completely baffled by Kristen Stewart's appeal. She has one expression as an actress -- sullen boredom. She always looks like she'd rather be anywhere but where she actually is, either in a movie or in real life. I thought if nothing else Charlize Theron would be some fun as the wicked queen, but she overplays it to the hilt and is directed to take her role far too seriously. Sure, there are some neat special effects and some good-looking production design, but who cares?
Grade: D