This film should just really be called “Charlize Theron: Winter’s War”
Hang me in the town square for this, but I bare all: I loved “Snow White and the Huntsman.” I genuinely believe that it’s a gorgeously crafted fantasy film with a performance from Charlize Theron that will last through the ages. I firmly believe that the film was harshly criticized due to its placement during “Twilight Mania” and the presence of Kristen Stewart was never a welcome one at the time. Perhaps times have changed and the hate for Stewart has died (I never hated her to begin with, just her character of Bella Swan), but maybe it’s time to revisit the series and see how audiences take it this time around. What? Stewart isn’t in the new installment? She’s been replaced by Emily Blunt and Jessica Chastain? And Charlize Theron is returning? Well, this changes things.
But you won’t hear a complaint from me.
It’s hard to label “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” as either a prequel or a sequel, as it’s both mashed into one film. This feels like a lot of ground covered for one film under two hours and there were times where I wished it had gone with one or the other, but it did good enough work with the two time periods. The film begins with the story of the evil queen, Ravenna (Charlize Theron) and her sister, Freya (Emily Blunt), as Ravenna conquers kingdoms with her beauty. One day, tragedy strikes when Freya’s baby is killed in a fire set by the child’s father. In her pain, Freya’s powers of conjuring ice come forth and she retreats into the north to create her own kingdom, kidnapping and training children from conquered villages to be her huntsman. Focusing on the huntsman, Eric (Chris Hemsworth), this time around. We see his rise to his talent in combat in the prologue, after being kidnapped by Freya as a child. Over the years, Eric develops a love with Sara (Jessica Chastain), but the two are torn apart after Freya discovers their love. Fast-forwarding to after the events of “Snow White and the Huntsman,” Eric is tasked by Snow White’s men to help retrieve Ravenna’s magic mirror and transport it to storage before it gets into the wrong hands. Along the way, he runs into old friends and old enemies, proving the past never really dies.
It’s a lot to take in, I know, but if you surrender to the story, it’s actually quite fun. I might have had more silly fun with this film than I did with the first one, even if I stand by that the first one is a better film overall. Hemsworth is fine again as Eric, but I had the same problem that I have with him in basically every role, while he is very charming, he’s quite forgettable, especially up against his female counterparts here. Theron returns in full force and gives another stellar performance, making herself known as the best part of the film from early on. Though a bit less subtle this time, it’s obvious that Theron is having an absolute blast and the audience does too when she’s on screen, even if she is a tad wasted. Blunt, while not as devilishly evil as Theron, has a fair amount of fun herself. Her character is far more fragile and serious than Theron’s Ravenna, but it works in her favor for the most part. She’s the version of Elsa from “Frozen” if she truly had had enough of Anna’s crap.
My biggest issue in the film had to come with Jessica Chastain (a statement in which I never thought I would say), simply because she feels out of place. Contractually obliged by Universal Pictures to star in the film in her contract for “Crimson Peak,” I understand her presence, but it could’ve been more. I’m still not sure why she had to have the Scottish accent that she did, but it really did not work in her favor, as it came across stilted and inconsistent at best. Even then, throughout the entire film I was thinking of other actresses that would’ve fit the role better, with Gemma Arterton filling my head the most. Even then, I could’ve seen those like Rose Leslie, Hayley Atwell, Daisy Ridley, Emilia Clarke, Felicity Jones, Alice Eve, Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley or even Cara Delevingne (I could go on all night) in the role. Chastain’s presence isn’t resented, it just feels a bit unfinished.
Despite all its content, the film sometimes manages to feel slow and rushed simultaneously. The extension of the second act made the film drag (especially since Sara and Eric are far from the most interesting characters), leading to a third act that doesn’t leave much room for fun action. The final fight in this film lasted a total of three minutes at most and seeing how much fun the cast seemed to be having with it, I didn’t quite understand why.
On the other hand, “The Huntsman: Winter’s War,” like the first one, is magnificently gorgeous to look at, which begs the question of why Universal has declined for a second time to release the film in either 3D or IMAX (the film is released in 3D overseas, but not in the U.S.). The film, while beautiful on a 2D standard screen, seems to be one of those films that really would benefit from the further formats. Taking that away though, while the film doesn’t ever blow me away with its direction from newcomer Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, the production design by Dominic Watkins and costume design by the legendary Colleen Atwood did.
Of course the film ended with room for another sequel and I say bring it on. If Chastain can perfect her Scottish accent and Theron promises to return, I’m totally in for another trip to the universe of Snow White and the Huntsman. Meanwhile, while “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” is far from perfect, in fact it has quite a few problems with it, I still enjoyed it enough for a recommendation and even a rewatch or two. I dig the world that it’s building and any chance to see Theron (and Blunt too) show off their props in villainous roles like this, I’m down. Tweak a few things, scrap a few others and add some things back from the first film and another installment could perfect the series into a wonderful trilogy finale. Maybe even Snow White can come back next time…
3/5
Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures
Directed by: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt, Nick Frost, Sam Claflin, Rob Brydon and Jessica Chastain.
Runtime: 114 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for fantasy action violence and some sensuality.
Universal Pictures presents, in association with Perfect World Pictures, a Roth Films production, “The Huntsman: Winter’s War”