Snow White as you've never seen her before...

I had been looking forward to seeing Snow White and the Huntsman for some time. The trailers grasped my attention and I hoped that we would finally get a good film that re-imagines a classic tale. However, like many I was hesitant, a little worried that it would go where so many had gone before, into a world where great imaginative films go to die with stunning visual effects and no soul. Well I am delighted to say that Snow White and the Huntsman has no place in that dark forsaken place.

The first thing you will notice about this film is that it is in fact visually stunning. The cinematographer for this film is Greig Fraser. I am not familiar with his work but will definitely be keeping an eye out for him. Cinematographers paint with light, and this is evident throughout the film. The use of colour is beautiful with some scenes reminiscent of Ridley Scott's Gladiator, whose cinematographer was John Mathieson. I love the use of deep reds in films that have darker tones. I found myself captivated by the early scene where the soldiers run to battle Ravenna's army. With its moody shadows, bursts of flame and red flags blowing in the wind the frame is nothing less than art. The most beautiful scenes are those with Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron). Her outfits are incredible and the use of these materials on frame are spectacular. I particularly loved her outfits that were designed around the raven.

Now the reason this film doesn't go to that sad place where stunning films go to die is because this film also has a soul. This is an original take on a very well known tale. I have never heard the story of Snow White told in this way, and therefore had no idea what to expect. To be honest my limited knowledge of the tale begins and ends with Disney. This is no disney tale however. Our Snow White may be a prisoner but she's quite capable of rescuing herself.

The premise of the film is that Snow White (Kristen Stewart) is imprisoned by her step mother, Ravenna, who kills Snow White's father and takes over the kingdom. When Snow White comes of age Ravenna is horrified to discover that she is no longer the fairest of them all, Snow White is. I have to add a side note here, the re-imagination of the mirror was incredible. Ravenna finds out however that if she consumes Snow White's heart she will be immortal and forever young. She asks her brother to bring Snow White to him but she manages to escape and runs into an ominous forest. Ravenna then demands that the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) who knows the forest go in after her. She says that if he brings Snow White back she will bring his dead wife back to life.

I think many people were confused when Kristen Stewart was cast to play Snow White. Her films till now have not highlighted any of her acting skills, many claiming that she appears wooden on screen. I wasn't  expecting a great performance from her but was pleasantly surprised to discover that the girl can act. Her American accent is transformed into a more British lilt in this film and she doesn't do any of those annoying hand to hair gestures common in the Twilight films. She breathes a new life into Snow White, who in this tale is not some lost Princess looking for a Prince, rather a strong, pure-hearted young woman looking to heal a land long ravaged by desperation and despair. I read a review where the critic claimed that it was ridiculous for Stewart to be cast opposite the gorgeous Theron, when Snow White is supposed to be more beautiful. Firstly I think it's appalling that this critic went as fair as to mock the state of Stewart's teeth, secondly I like that the film focusses more on inner beauty than outer. I found that Stewart looked lovely on film, but more than that I found the way they portrayed her inner beauty to be refreshing. This is a woman whose heart can heal your wounds, take away your pain. She breathes light into dark and that is where her beauty comes from.

The Huntsman in this tale is not simply the muscles of the mission. In fact we learn early on that there are some tasks Snow White can do better than he can. The Huntsman is in a state of deep grief over the loss of his wife and has chosen to fill the void with alcohol. We see a great and subtle change with the Huntsman throughout the film. The Prince is part of the mission also, and we know from the traditional tale that it is the Prince whose kiss will bring Snow White back to life. But this is not the traditional tale.

I have read reviews where people stated their unhappiness with the ending, with it's vague romance between Snow White and the Huntsman. I didn't have any problem with the ending. I thought it suited the film perfectly. As for the romance aspect, I enjoyed the subtlety of it. I can't really imagine how declarations of undying love or excessive displays of affection would have placed in this film. I have always been a fan of longing looks, slight touches and charged energy on film. It's harder to act and therefore much more affective.

I have to make mention here of the seven dwarves. I liked their portrayal in this film. They were more heroic than comedic, with a back story, some humour, but mostly they provided a different insight into the world this film is based around. There has been some controversy over the use of regular sized actors, as opposed to casting little people. I can understand the frustration of those who feel this encroached upon roles that should be reserved for a people who feel they already have such limited choices. But I also understand why execs wanted to cast well known actors like Bob Hoskins, Ian McShane and Nick Frost. Either way the actors did well and brought a new twist to the seven dwarves.

Snow White and the Huntsman is an imaginative film that unlike other fairy tale films (I'm looking at Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland here) takes time with plot and gives a heart beat to the film. The visuals are superb, the acting genuinely good, and the story intriguing. All in all it's a great "once upon a time" that leads us to a "happily ever after"...or at least hints at it.