Released in 2012 at the height of the fairytale film fad, the gorgeous-looking Snow White and the Huntsman was a fairly serviceable action/adventure film starring Charlize Theron as Snow White’s evil stepmother, and Chris Hemsworth as the huntsman who saves her from the clutches of the dark forces.
Although the film was well-received by critics and raked in plenty of gold at the box office, I somehow doubt that viewers led a hunger strike outside of Universal Pictures’ offices to see a prequel/sequel to learn more about the characters. Well, they made one anyway!
Directed by the real star of the first film, Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, who had served as the visual effects supervisor, The Huntsman: Winter’s War is everything you hate about unnecessary prequels/sequels, and it stinks of Hollywood greed.
The lack of interest is also written on the faces of Charlize Theron (Ravenna, the Evil Queen) and Chris Hemsworth (Eric, the Hunstman) throughout the film, with the duo providing the sort of uninspired performances actors usually do when returning to a dull project.
The Huntsman: Winter’s War is everything you hate about prequels/sequels, and it stinks of Hollywood greed!
At the very least, the production values are good. Cinematographer Phedon Papamichael works his magic to give us a beautiful view of the white wintery landscape, while James Newton Howard returns with another grim score. Perhaps I am a sucker for the fantastical, but the film also has excellent special effects on offer, with wonderfully imaginative creatures on display, based on the work of Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen.