Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

I’m not going to lie..I almost forgot about this Snow White adaptation that I had to write up.  I saw it so long ago as I’m writing this that I can’t even remember it all that much.  Well, it wasn’t that long, maybe a month or so.  Regardless, my final Snow White adaptation that I’m writing up and I’ll get the baking part done and we’re on our way to the next movie on the Disney Classics list, Pinocchio. That one is easy because there is no available adaptations for me to watch.  If you have any to suggest, or anything loosely based on it, I’d give it a go to. Not to mention baking for that one is going to be crazily hard.  Anyways, one thing at a time. Let’s finish this Snow White business with Snow White and the Huntsman.  I wasn’t excited to watch it, had low expectations.  Now you know where I stand before I fired up this one.

Let’s check it out!

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Director: Rupert Sanders

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

In a twist to the fairy tale, the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen. – IMDB

The journey of watching Snow White adaptations has been a long one.  There is no doubt that Snow White is one of those very frequently adapted story plots that seem to always be a good way to go.  Whether the movies themselves are of what quality, well, that changes.  Snow White and the Huntsman is one that I mentioned before where I didn’t have a lot of expectations. For one, I’m really not a huge fan of Kristen Stewart and while I love seeing Chris Hemsworth and his handsome body, I’ve learned to also not watch anything in hopes of seeing them take their clothes off.  I really don’t know to say it any other way.  I did that for Clash of the Titans (remake) and it was disappointing along with the fact that it was a terrible movie.  But, that is for another post (which will never happen probably because I refuse to put myself through it again). Except, I like Disney Princesses and while Snow White isn’t my favorite one, there has been okay adaptations of it in some unexpected entertaining pieces and even though its hard to believe but the hopeful part of this is Charlize Theron as the Evil Stepmother.

I ramble a lot when I don’t know how to word my reviews.  I realize that.  I guess the easiest way is to start with what was good. Snow White and the Huntsman is not a great film.  Its a tad boring, a little pointless but there are some good parts.  Its doesn’t really make the film one I’d sit down to watch again which is why I’m writing this on a very vague memory because it simply is forgettable. The first good part is the dark take on the Snow White tale.  The harsh evil from the Stepmother, the dangers and dark environment, the black magic in the air, just how the movie is a lot darker in nature.  Second, it makes Snow White into a warrior, someone who will fight, and not the weak princess cleaning up after the dwarves and waiting for her Prince to save her.  Honestly, the recent take of making out the princesses to be stronger in nature is one I’m enjoying a lot. Even if its Miss Stewart playing the role.  We will discuss her a little later. Three, the dwarves are always chosen and played with such character.  The same goes for here especially when we have some unexpected recognized actors here.  Four, it has to be the outstanding role of The Evil Queen played by Charlize Theron.  She just takes command of her role and every scene she is in make it so much more enjoyable.  Five, the visuals are pretty in this one.  There’s dark tones as I mentioned in point 1 and there are some bright parts of it as well.  The CGI is done very nicely and makes it feel that much more like we are in a fantasy/fictional land.

 That’s a fair bit of positive but you know what. The cons of Snow White and the Huntsman far outweighs those five points above.  For one, the movie was way too long.  It was over 2 hours long.  That is absolutely crazy.  That’s because it had a ton of really pointless scenes.  I felt like it was all added for dramatic value.  Except this leads to my second thing that I didn’t like: Kristen Stewart.  Look, I know its horrible to be ragging on Kristen Stewart and to be honest, it seems she’s gotten better but this was her right out of the Twilight series and her face does not make me feel anything.  Its not happy, always sad, maybe constipated and her as a tough girl doesn’t quite make me feel convinced.  As I watched this, I did think of one thing: how her career might be like Channing Tatum where she was pegged for certain roles and one day, she’ll find that role and break out of her shell and be a better actress.  I’m trying to be positive here.  Oh and I have to hate on Kristen Stewart just a little.  She got to liplock with Chris Hemsworth!

I guess what it all comes down to is that the sum of the positives can’t even outweigh that of the negatives.  Long, boring, convoluted, got lost in itself and I just couldn’t get into it or feel connected to any of the characters.   Sure, the premise was good, the take of this classic tale was good in all its dark glory but it just doesn’t seem to be able to pull itself out of its own mess.  Charlize Theron couldn’t do it.  Chris Hemsworth, huntsman and narrator, didn’t even have the chance.  Snow White and the Huntsman has the right intentions but with a bad script and messy execution, it falls short of what it could be.

Have you seen Snow White and the Huntsman? 

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

I have to take a moment and applaud at my first marathon which I did totally like a marathon because there was no other movie reviews in between 😉 Except for between the 1st and 2nd movie of course.  Next movie and most up to date Pirates movie is Pirate of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.  In this one, a lot of the old cast is not there anymore, however, in At World’s End, we did get a snapshot of what they are after in this one.

Director: Rob Marshall

Cast: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Ian  McShane, Penelope Cruz, Kevin McNally, Sam Claflin, Astrid Berges-Frisbey

In continuation of At World’s End, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) ends up in London to save Mr. Gibbs (Kevin McNally) from hanging to find that he is not stuck in the presence of King George (Richard Griffiths) who has hired Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) to find the Fountain of Youth.  However, as he now has the map, they need his help.  After his narrow escape, he sees his father, Captain Teague (Keith Richards) who leads him to where the rumors have started that he is searching for a crew and he reunites with the imposter, an old flame Angelica (Penelope Cruz).  Not sure if Angelica is being an exceptional con artist or truly bitter about being abandoned, he lands himself unexpectedly on ship Queen Anne`s Revenge, which is the terrifying and deadly Blackbeard`s  (Ian McShane) ship.  They now need to not only find the Fountain of Youth but before that, find certain items to fulfill their quest. With Barbossa and also the Spaniards on the chase, they need to outrun each other and Sparrow needs to come up with another plan to staying alive.

At this point in the series I really hoped that it could keep up with the series before. This isn’t a bad one, it feels just a bit empty. The first time ever that I watched this was about a year ago and I fell asleep maybe 30 minutes in.  This time, I started feeling heavy eyelids at about an hour.  I did tough it out and finished the whole thing as it picks up pace shortly after.  The movie to me right now is a blur and its just the next day.

 With Gore Verbinski no longer doing this one, we have a new style from Rob Marshall, especially since it seems he’s involved in musicals.   Looking at his directorial efforts, I’ve only really enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha.  This one wasn’t too bad but you can see the changes, especially since even the cast has many swaps.  However, Johnny Depp is still on as Captain Jack Sparrow.  He is what defines this movie.  In this one, we start looking more into his world and his life since we bring in his old lover, Angelica played by Penelope Cruz.  I’m not much of a fan of Cruz.  She’s just a pretty face in my book and never really excels in any of the roles I’ve seen her in but she was alright in this one.  A lot more acceptable than I had expected.

In this one, whats nice is that Mr. Gibbs played by Kevin McNally get a more important role from the start to finish.  He’s always been around and about in the previous few and he always has a nice witty dialogues to counter Jack.  Very enjoyable on screen.  Giving him more parts adds to this one for sure.  Plus, we continue to have Geoffrey Rush’s Captain Barbossa.  Except in this one, he now runs with the King’s crew but still keeps that ruthless trait in him.  Its an interesting change in events.

This time the big addition is our villain, Blackbeard played by Ian McShane. I wasn’t completely familiar with him before I searched him up but it seems that he’s actually done some pretty awesome roles in the past.  Blackbeard was played okay.  I never actually felt like anyone was in much danger even when this pirate was seriously evil with his zombiefied crew members and his rope manipulating sword.  Maybe its because I know that Jack Sparrow always makes it out. At the same time, there weren’t all too many surprises and exciting moments.

There is one aspect that I liked and disliked at the same time. I haven’t really made up my mind yet. The mermaids were done really awesome.  That whole scene where they enter the story and the whole scene following it was just amazing.  The character of Syrena was also quite nice.  Her story with the clergyman (??) Philip was a bit predictable and sappy but it was cute.  Although, their acting were both somewhat lacking.  However, they were no doubt the young and pretty faces for the movie and the blooming love story at the same time.

Overall, this isn’t a bad flick.  It had its issues and it wasn’t as gripping or intense as the previous ones.  The style was different and it was a bit slower.  I felt it was a little unnecessary to have this followup (or any more but obviously I’m wrong because the 5th one is due in 2015) but at least we had an awesome mermaid scene to watch and it was done really well.  There are pros and cons to this one and at times, it might even feel like it would never end but if you don’t go watch it with too many expectations, it has its entertaining parts and some redeeming features 😉

Despite all this, I’m still looking forward to Pirates 5, according to IMDB it has a 2015 release date and two new directors.  Who knows how that will go, but I’m staying hopeful! 🙂