Snow White and The Huntstman its Hi(ghs) and Hos

A review of Snow White and the Huntsman currently in theaters

By Kenneth Alexander Wright Vazquez

‎"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all? SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN is not only the fairest but the most gorgeous fantasy film in resent years. The photography and production design is so beautiful and sumptuous to look at and evocative of genre films from the 80s such as WILLOW, KRULL, LABYRINTH and DRAGONSLAYER.

First time director Rupert Sanders took The Brothers Grim beloved classic and re-imagined it with a damsel in not so much distress turned into a hero for the people under the guidance of a tragic yet battle hardened huntsman. Every frame of this tale is alive with cinematic magic that makes the darkest of dungeons and most sinister of marshes come to elegant life.

Everything from a damp and desolate little village and a lively and enchanted forest filled with unique looking fairies and animals are cleverly and beautifully captured. Visual effects depicting the evil queen's magical powers and the dwellers of the wilderness such as a giant and awesome looking troll are some of the most arresting and memorable. And that Magic Mirror is so amazingly creepy that I wouldn't look myself in it.

Not all is fair in this edgy fairy take though. Kirsten Stewart, while pretty, has little to offer to a role which evolves into a leader for the downtrodden. She's too stale, dry and emotionless. Every time she takes the screen one can't help but see Bella Swan and her Twilight baggage. Someone else could have played this princess. Roony Mara (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) would've been a better choice.

Chris Hemsworth puts up Thor's mystical hammer Mjolnir and replaces it with a handy battle axe, some knives, a sad back story of personal loss and the caring disposition of a mentor.

Charlize Theron is in my opinion the star of this epic playing the nefarious Queen Ravena with evil, wicked, monstrous and downright compelling and sympathetic edge. One almost feels sorry for the accursed crone she really is beneath her sexy self.

Seeing well known and regarded British actors like Ian McShane (Deadwood, Pirates of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Toby Jones (Captain America: The First Avenger), Bob Hoskins (Hook, Unleashed) and Ray Winstone (Beowulf, Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull) as some of the Seven Dwarves was the coolest surprise in the film.

Once upon a time Hollywood made films like this on a yearly basis. Good to see that thanks to a huntsman and a visionary director this Snow White can live happily ever after.