Conflict and Losing Themes of Power with Snow White and the Huntsman: A Movie Review (Blu-Ray)

*full disclosure: a Blu-Ray screener of this film was provided by Universal Pictures.

Director: Rupert Sanders.

Writers: Evan Daugherty, John Lee Hancock, and Hossein Amini.

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Sam Claflin, Sam Spruell, Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone, Nick Frost, Eddie Marsan, Toby Jones, and Johnny Harris.

Snow White and the Huntsman was released in theatres June 3rd. This title was created partially by first time filmmaker Rupert Sanders for over $170 million. This title is visually stunning. And, there are themes of feminism, good versus evil and loss; yet, the film is not as evocative as it could be. The film, overall, seems like an exercise in filmmaking where everything comes together, but none of the film elements, such as the story, go the distance to find true excellence.

The story begins with Ravenna (Charlize Theron) using guile to rise to power. She uses her magical beauty to seduce the king. She then uses sexuality to get closer him order to take his life. Then, the king's daughter, Snow White (Kristen Stewart), is imprisoned.

More conflict takes place between Snow White and Ravenna when the queen's beauty fades. Snow White is the key to her immortality, if only she can end Snow White's life. Thus, a huntsman is recruited to capture and kill Snow White who has escaped prison with some guile of her own.

One of the most interesting aspects of Snow White and the Huntsman is this theme involving women, beauty and power. Early in the film, Ravenna reveals a story of how she acquired her magical powers. A spell was cast on her to keep her beautiful forever in order to protect her from men. This spell leads her into the bedchamber of more than one king where she is, at least briefly, an equal to her suitor. She also relates how she is valuable to kings and men of rank only if she is beautiful: "men use us, they ruin us and when they are finished with us they toss us to the dogs like scraps." This is a powerful line and it shows how Ravenna sees herself as valuable so long as she is beautiful. Unfortunately, this theme is dropped by the end of the first act.

There is another theme here of good versus evil. Common to fairy tales, it is important that good triumphs over evil. And, the good and evil elements of the film are laid out visually and unnessecarily for the viewer. The good ride about in white or silver armour while the forces of evil host black armour. Th e "Dark Forest" harbours further evil. Every branch can become a snake becauseevery mushroom can release a hallucinogenic toxin, which can create nightmarish visions. It is overly obvious of who and what is good and evil in this picture.

This theme of good versus evil is so common that many viewers will know how the film will end before it begins. Good will conquer evil. And, the film's purpose is simply propelling good on its journey to face that evil. Thankfully, the evil of Ravenna is given some context. She has become malevolent because of how men have treated her, or more acurately, mistreated her. It is just disheartening to see the final confrontation between these two forces come about with one side learning nothing from the other. Snow White says to Ravenna: "I am nothing like you." But, Snow White's own power comes through her own beauty, which is mentioned throughout the film. She is more like Ravenna than she is not.

Snow White and the Huntsman went through many re-writes and this is reflected in the story. As mentioned, the theme of feminism in relation to power and beauty is dropped early in the film. The theme of good versus evil is consistent, but where are the grays that lie between these forces? As well, the characters are given the barest of sub-plots. The Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth), who makes up half of the film's title, struggles with the loss of his wife. There are no flashbacks to help viewers understand his loss. The only evidence of his grief is seen in his alcohol fueled binges and in a few lines. It is difficult to connect with this character's anguish when this storyline is developed in such a shallow fashion. At the same time, the most important character, the protagonist, shows little emotion despite losing her father to a blood-thirsty woman. Where is the rage or the need for vengeance? This character seems cold and devoid of passion. The writers have also strangely equipped this central character with few lines. Does Snow White really have so little to say while facing so much adversity? Overall, the film's writing seems underprepared to thoughtfully equip the story with suitable themes and characters.

There are some film elements in this title worthy of praise, however. The film is visually stunning. Computer generated images are used often to amplify scenes involving: faeries, trolls and dwarves. This device is over used in the film's middle section, but many scenes remain a pleasure to the eye. Also, costumes and settings are beautifully decorated. Knights in chainmail and plate look brilliant as they storm across the battlefield. The essence of the middle-age is captured and amplified with competence.

The tone of the film is sometimes effectively Gothic. Trees in a swamp appear as figures behind white mist. Castles are dark and foreboding. Many of the exterior shots bring monsters or the queen's henchmen from the brush. But, the film is rarely haunting, nor fear-inducing. Gothic elements should bring more tension than they do here.

Snow White and the Huntsman will release again on DVD and Blu-Ray September 9th through Universal Pictures and only a few cinephiles will want to take notice. While visually stunning, this title does not evoke enough real emotion to make it worthy of a large audience. Themes and characters are underdeveloped, while set pieces and Rupert Sanders' visual style attempt to draw you back in. Overall, Snow White and the Huntsman seems to understand the myth from whence it comes, but the story only goes halfway in modernizing this title for an astute film-watching audience.

Overall: 6.5 out of 10 (visually beautiful, acting is hit and miss, themes are only partially developed, the finale is truly a let down, predictable).

*the Blu-Ray special features are plentiful and interesting. They include: "Reinventing the Fairy Tale," "Citizens of the Kingdom," "The Magic of 'Snow White and the Huntsman,'" and "Around the Kingdom: 360 Degree Set Tour."

**the special feature "Reinventing the Fairy Tale" shows a very intriguing clip that acted as the film's pitch. It is a four minute video that helped finance the feature.

More on the film can be found here:

The Official Website for Snow White and the Huntsman

Another review of this title at the New York Magazine (David Edelstein):

Snow White and the Huntsman Reviewed at the New York Mag'

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