If you love Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron and other pretty things, this is the movie for you! Similar in tone and effects to the original, Snow White and the Huntsman, The Huntsman: Winter’s War is both a prequel and sequel.
The film messes around with some plot points from the original, for example don’t expect to see Ravenna’s, creepy brother. Instead the main focus is on her sister Freya, played by Emily Blunt. Like her baddie sister, Freya is a lover scorned and takes it out on her kingdom. She rules the North as the Ice Queen. And if it sounds like a page out of Frozen, it basically is…but the adult non-singing version.
Queen Freya has an army full of Huntsmen, containing both Eric and Sara, played by Hemsworth and Jessica Chastain. They are her star pupils and conquer many lands for her until one day she turns on them. Through an event, which I will not spoil here, the game changes and Eric is no longer a part of Freya’s Kingdom. We meet up with him years later, post-Snow White. And we follow his journey to reclaim Reanna’s magic mirror and not let it get into the wrong hands. Freya’s hands specifically.
The visual effects are as stunning as they were in the first film. For that aspect alone, it’s worth seeing in theaters. They really push the digital effects team and make a land unlike any other. And of course if you’re also into wardrobe, makeup and hair, it doesn’t disappoint. Charlize Theron slays in every look in the film.
Speaking of Charlize Theron, she’s fabulous once again, although gone for a portion of the film. It missed her presence but thankfully they wrote her in when it really counted. Chris Hemsworth is as charming as ever. His character Eric is shown in a more hopeful light than in the first film where he was depressed and down on his luck. With a wink of his eye, he has practically every female in the film fawning over him…which I imagine is pretty close to his real life. I normally love Jessica Chastain, but her character wasn’t the most likeable. Granted I think it was meant to be that way given her backstory. But as a female myself, it’s always great seeing one holding her own against the guys. Emily Blunt does a great job as the Ice Queen. She really is cold for the entire film. Nick Frost, Rob Brydon, Sheridan Smith and Alexandra Roach bring the comic relief as the bumbling and courageous dwarves Nion, Gryff, Mrs Bromwyn and Doreena respectively. At first, they were almost too played up as the funny sidekicks but they really grow on you and melt your heart.
Overall, this film is recommended for those who liked the original and are ok with Kristen Stewart not returning to reprise her role as Snow White. If you pay too much attention to the storylines, you’ll probably get annoyed, like I said earlier, they do mess around with events established in the first movie. But the visual effects and talent of the actors shine in this fairytale.
