Snow White And The Huntsman: movie review

What's the story?
In a retelling of the classic fairy tale, Snow White (Stewart) escapes the clutches of the evil queen (Theron) and is trained in the art of war by the huntsman sent to kill her.

What did we think?
Epic and beautifully shot, this fantasy feature lives up to some of the hype. But the storytelling falls short and there are some weak performances from usually brilliant actors.

The feature film debut of ad man Rupert Sanders, Snow White is definitely a matter of style over substance. While the film is absolutely beautiful (each shot has been carefully thought out and the costuming and sets are nothing short of sumptuous), the characters never quite shine through.

Some fans won't notice. But wooden dialogue and awkward character touches pop up again and again. Kristen Stewart is far more emotive without her Twilight contact lenses. But both she and Chris Hemsworth struggle with their British accents and ye olde dialogue. Charlize Theron is also without her usual a subtlety: an evil queen who seems to be permanently shouting commands at her subordinates.

Nonetheless, it is a family friendly fantasy film that will suit those seeking a simple spectacle. There are some brilliant moments such as Snow White's encounter with a troll and her time in the enchanted forest. You may even jump in your seat on occasion. Just don't expect to get lost in the story.

The seven dwarves are definitely the standout with fantastic performances from Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone and Nick Frost. But they can't distract us from the overall clumsiness of this take on the fairytale. The K-Stew faithful will discard its shortcomings. But Stewart's true emergence from the shadow of Twilight will perhaps have to wait for her turn in Kerouac adaptation On The Road.

Verdict: A stylish epic that falls sadly short in the story department.