I know I said that I was going to continue my series looking at the Greek gods this week, but I didn’t think I was going to get to see Snow White and the Huntsman until next weekend when I said that and due to some schedule changes I was able to go ahead and see it this past weekend. So, I am going to push back the Greek gods one more week. I promise I will get to it next week!
Ever since I saw the first trailer for Snow White and the Huntsman I have been counting down the days to when it came out. I thought that it looked incredible, but I was also a tad nervous. I was worried that Kristen Stewart would drive me crazy and that the film as a whole would not live up to my expectations. I didn’t need to worry.
There were many amazing things about this film, but absolutely none of it surpassed the beauty of the look of the film. This was the most visually stunning movie I have seen since Avatar. Everything about it was gorgeous – the set designs, costumes, special effects – but I especially loved the use of color. The stark contrast between the dark colors surrounding the Queen and the vibrant colors in the places away from her influence was striking. That, more than almost anything else, really conveyed the depth of her evil.
Speaking of the Queen, holy cow, Charlize Theron killed it! I was expecting Theron to deliver a top notch performance, but nothing could have prepared me for what she did. She somehow managed to show us a character who was truly and fully evil, yet simultaneously sympathetic. The depth of emotion she poured out of her eyes had me almost forgetting that I wanted her to lose at times. And then on the flip side, she would have me holding my breath and clenching my fists in terror at her presence. Fantastic acting.
I thought that the rest of the cast also did a great job, though it felt as though they were all there to support Theron’s leading role. Chris Hemsworth was just as delicious as I anticipated and Kristen Stewart did not annoy me in the least since the role of Snow White fit in perfectly with the shy, aloof girl that she typical plays (mediocre accent notwithstanding). The unexpected delight for me came in the form of the dwarves. I loved their dry, sarcastic humor and the way they interacted with one another. They were a highlight that I did not see coming.
All in all, there was very little I did not like about this movie (contrived plot devices being the biggest offender) and all the great things more than made up for the bad. Honestly, even if I had thought the story sucked and had wanted to pull my hair out every time Kristen Stewart came on the screen, I would have found it worth the price of the movie ticket just for Theron’s performance and the incredible visual experience. All the other goodness was bonus and there was a lot of bonus.
Have you seen Snow White and the Huntsman yet? What did you think about it? Were you as amazed by the visuals and Theron as I was? Let me know in the comments.
I found the visuals to be amazing, but I was actually disappointed by the movie
Chris Hemsworth was great as the Huntsman, but the plot really dragged and had some serious problems that I just couldn’t get past. I found Kristen Stewart’s acting to be flat. I LOVED the Queen’s outfits. Her crowns were spectacular. When it comes out on DVD, though, I’ll probably buy it for the visuals alone.
I’ve been both excited & nervous about this movie, for all the reasons you both describe. I still want to see it, but I’ll just have to be get my mind set & prepared for KS’s normal drab presence. I absolutely CT & will see anything she’s in, just to watch her move. Good to know ahead of time that the visuals are everything the trailers made them out to be.