Among the summer blockbusters that boast superheroes, spies, and presidential vampire hunters, ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ (2012) boldly takes a step forward into the fray. The film, directed by Rupert Sanders, takes an action-oriented approach to the classic fairytale and boasts jaw-dropping beautiful effects, standout performances from Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth, and a fresh view of one of the most famous princess stories of all time. However, while a good movie, ‘Snow White’ fails to live up to its full potential due to writing errors in both plot and characterization.

Spoiler alert!

The basic story is that Snow White is the daughter of two beloved rulers. Not long after having Snow White, the Queen falls ill and dies, leaving the King heartbroken. A dark army rises against the kingdom and shortly after defeating them, the King finds an enchantingly beautiful woman named Ravenna (Charlize Theron). He weds her immediately and Ravenna reveals that she is actually a powerful sorceress who beds kings and murders them by sucking out their vitality to take their kingdoms. She lets her dark army into the castle and they take over the kingdom, locking Snow White (Kristen Stewart) in a tower for over a decade.

Ravenna asks her magic mirror who is the fairest of them all and it tells her that Snow White is destined to surpass her. If she consumes Snow White’s heart, she will become immortal. Ravenna sends her brother, Finn (Sam Spuell) to bring Snow White to her, but his lust for Snow White allows her to injure him and escape the castle. Snow White runs into the dark forest and so the Queen orders her brother to bring her someone who has traveled through it before. They find a huntsman named Eric (Chris Hemsworth) and make a bargain with him. If he brings Snow White to the Queen, the Queen will resurrect his wife, whose death still haunts the huntsman. He reluctantly agrees and travels into the forest to find Snow White.

He quickly finds her and demands that Finn tells the Queen to hold up her end of the bargain, but Finn reveals that even the Queen cannot bring someone back from the dead so their deal is broken. Eric helps Snow White escape and they travel deeper into the forest. Snow White asks Eric to take her to Duke Hammond (Vincent Regan) and his son William (Sam Claflin), her childhood friend, so she can raise an army to fight the Queen. Eric does not know she is Snow White so he is still unwilling to help her. He leads her to a village where he thinks she’ll be safe, but Finn and his men find them and burn down the village. Seeing the destruction and learning she is the princess, the huntsman agrees to help her and they continue onward.

The highlights of the film are plentiful. Chris Hemsworth shows that he has the capacity to be a tough, belligerent hero while still having a soft side that would make any woman’s heart melt. He does most of the heavy lifting in the acting department, which works well since Kristen Stewart is still young and has not come into her own style yet.

Likewise, Charlize Theron knocks it out of the park as the evil Queen. Not only is she a heartless monster of epic proportions, but also as we learn Ravenna’s background, we can’t help but feel a certain sense of pity for her. She had been enchanted by her mother as a last ditch effort to save her and honestly believes that both love and men are evil, and that eternal beauty is the only thing in the world worth having. She is a terrifying, yet lovely, visage throughout the film and ironically breathes life into her role with her soul-sucking powers.

The effects for ‘Snow White’ are staggeringly wonderful. The environments are well rendered in every scene—from the disturbing dark forest to the gorgeous fairies’ dwelling. Special mention goes to the effects team who worked on the seven dwarves, who are played by familiar faces like Ian McShane, Ray Winstone, Nick Frost, Bob Hoskins, and Eddie Marsan to name a few.

However, ‘Snow White’ has a lot of problems; foremost, the writing. There are so many rookie mistakes that keep this film from being as great as it could have been. Mainly, there are three flaws: Snow White’s lack of characterization, the undeveloped love triangle between Snow White, the Huntsman, and William, and the blatant refusal to answer anything about this magical fairy tale land.

Snow White is known for her beauty and kindness, but Kristen Stewart’s portrayal is not entirely successful because Stewart hardly ever smiles through the course of the movie. It is clear that she is a kind soul, but she spends so much of the film running away from danger and struggling with the destruction around her that it is hard to connect with her. The busy plot does not allow her time to reveal her personality for more than a few fleeting seconds and so it is difficult to root for her in the final battle scenes.

The film also does not utilize William, Snow White’s childhood friend, in any effective manner. We are led to believe that he is the love interest, but then halfway through the film, it is revealed that the huntsman also has feelings for Snow White. The biggest turn of events is that William’s kiss does not awaken Snow White when she eats the poison apple, but the huntsman’s kiss does wake her. Then the film completely abandons the subplot and does not explain if Snow White knew it was Eric who woke her and not William. This is a gigantic ripoff of a subplot because the movie simply ends without addressing the rather significant issue.

Overall, the film is enjoyable, but has too many things holding it back from being fantastic. I recommend it to lovers of fairy-tales, but go in with moderate expectations.

Grade: 3.5/5

Image Courtesy of  Snow White and the Huntsman

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When the casting team behind ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ settled for Kristin Stewart as Snow White, the other title character to be cast was, of course, the Huntsman: Eric, a hunter who knows the Enchanted and Dark Forests like the back of his hand. Not only did the Huntsman once have respect for the animals he tracked, he also still has the ability to think like one.

But after his wife, Zara, died, Eric found his only comfort as a mercenary and a drunk. Now, the Huntsman has been tasked to follow Snow White into the forest and return her to Ravenna, who needs to consume her heart. But when Eric discovers the treachery of the Queen, he channels his rage into training a young woman who is determined to end what Ravenna began. Eric begins to see in Snow White an end to the darkness and to believe that the king’s standard could fly again.

Initially conceived as a character much older than Snow White, the Huntsman morphed during the screenplay’s development. Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, was courted for the part after the filmmakers watched him in his career-defining role as the Nordic god of war. His charisma and on-screen presence convinced them that he could embody the tortured former soldier who finds salvation in a young woman called Snow White.

With his attitude, humor, intensity and physical presence, Hemsworth proved he could bring life to the character and serve as the ideal balance between Stewart and Charlize Theron. Shares producer Sam Mercer of their choice: “We spent a fair amount of time exploring who should be the Huntsman and how to round out the triangle. Through the evolution of talking to many actors and getting their takes on it, we discovered Chris. He is becoming a huge star, and we knew we had to have him.”

Hemsworth’s first day on set was one of the most intimidating of the shoot: his big scene with Theron in which the Queen dispatches the Huntsman. Joe Roth knew that Hemsworth was up for the challenge of matching wits with the Oscar winner. The producer compliments: “The guy is built like a linebacker, he’s gorgeous to look at, and he has great depth of character. Chris is the guy that puts up 110 percent all the time.”

Discussing his part, Hemsworth says: “The Huntsman is a lost soul. He has given up on life and himself. When we first meet him, he’s a drunk, living alone in the woods working as a mercenary, hunting and tracking. He is then assigned the role of finding Snow White and bringing her back to the Queen.” Offering his reason for tackling the role, Hemsworth states: “I liked the idea of playing the reluctant hero: rough around the edges but with a good heart underneath. We tried to push the inconsistencies of his character, keep him unpredictable.”

Hemsworth also appreciated the “classic Western character” that the writers had drawn and the visual style that his director ensured. The performer adds: “I read it with Rupert [Sanders, director], and I saw visually how creative he was. We had discussions about character and story, and I was inspired by what he said.

I’ve worked with plenty of people who have done far more films than Rupert, but many are not nearly as equipped, focused or innovative as he is. He’s unreal. I love these types of films: big, fantastical, epic stories that have a real heart at the center of them. They’re relatable characters, and the story is about hope and inspiration and love and tragedy. These are the things that we all deal with, but the story is told on an incredible, vivid background.”

Although Hemsworth and Stewart carefully practiced their fight scenes together, mistakes were made during production. During a particularly vigorous take, Stewart accidentally punched the seasoned kickboxer in the face. His nose swelled up, and his wound had to be covered up with makeup. Stewart was truly a match for this Huntsman.

Image Courtesy of   http://www.snowwhiteandthehuntsman.com/

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Los Angeles, U.S.A. – IMAX Corporation, Marvel Studios and The Walt Disney Studios have announced that the epic Super Hero adventure Marvel’s The Avengers will be released in the immersive IMAX 3D format in 451 digital theatres worldwide. Domestically, the film will be released in 275 theatres beginning Friday, May 4.

The international debut of Marvel’s The Avengers got off to a record breaking start in IMAX theatres last weekend, significantly outperforming previous IMAX releases of Marvel films. More territories are launching in tandem with the North American release this week, including China. Domestic IMAX pre-sales are also strong and significantly ahead of any previous Marvel releases.

Marvel’s The Avengers, based on the well-known Marvel comic book series, is directed by Joss Whedonand stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsgard and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.

Distributed by The Walt Disney Studios, Marvel’s The Avengers: An IMAX 3D Experience marks the third Marvel Studios film presented in IMAX, following the releases of Iron Man 2: The IMAX Experience in 2010 and Thor: An IMAX 3D Experience in 2011.

The IMAX release of Marvel’s The Avengers will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of An IMAX 3D Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

About Marvel’s The Avengers
Marvel Studios presents “Marvel’s The Avengers” — the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsgard and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and directed by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble in summer 2012.

“Marvel’s The Avengers” is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures. The film is being produced by Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige and executive produced by Alan Fine, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, Louis D’Esposito, Patricia Whitcher, Victoria Alonso and Jeremy Latcham. The story is by Zak Penn and Joss Whedon and the screenplay is by Joss Whedon. The film releases May 4, 2012, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

http://marvel.com/avengers_movie

Marvel’s The Avengers has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, and a mild drug reference.

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The Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), presented by American Express, on March 28 announced that Marvel’s The Avengers, presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures, will close its 11th edition on Saturday, April 28. Closing night will take place at Tribeca BMCC PAC and is sponsored by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin.

Honoring the spirit of the Tribeca Film Festival, the screening will allow the opportunity for Marvel’s The Avengers to celebrate everyday heroes from police agencies, fire departments, first responders and various branches of the U.S. military.  These local heroes will have an opportunity to attend the screening and meet the cast.

Marvel Studios’ producer Kevin Feige says, “We are proud that Marvel’s The Avengers is the closing film of this year’s Tribeca Film Festival and we are excited to welcome local heroes to the screening as special guests. We all know and love our iconic Super Heroes, but when it really counts, it’s our real-life heroes who save the world every day by making it a better place for all of us.”

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsgard and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and directed by Joss Whedon, Marvel’s The Avengers is an engaging, character-driven story packed with action, adventure and special effects.

When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins to assemble the iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow.

Marvel’s The Avengers is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since.

“Marvel’s The Avengers is an exciting ride that absolutely transports audiences,” said Jane Rosenthal, Co-Founder of the Tribeca Film Festival. “It is the perfect way to end our 11th Festival.”

Comments director Joss Whedon, “Showing at Tribeca is both an honor and a double homecoming for me, who grew up in Manhattan, and for the movie, which wrapped production there.  I’m thoroughly psyched to be closing the festival with our intimate little think-piece.”

“Marvel’s The Avengers” is produced by Marvel Studios’ Producer Kevin Feige and executive produced byAlan Fine, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, Louis D’Esposito, Patricia Whitcher, Victoria Alonso and Jeremy Latcham. The story is by Zak Penn and Joss Whedon, and the screenplay is by Joss Whedon. The film releases May 4, 2012, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

The 11th annual Tribeca Film Festival will take place from April 18-29, 2012.

Visit www.tribecafilm.com/festival for more information about TFF’s 2012 programs and the full line-up of films.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/AvengersUK

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