Snow White and the Huntsman

Poor Snow White. The princess from the classic Grimm fairy tale has definitely not been the fairest of them all on the big screen this year.

Her latest adventure is Snow White and the Huntsman, the second film in a matter of months (along with the ill-conceived Mirror Mirror) to turn her into a revisionist action heroine.

The challenge for the film is simple – take one of the best known stories in cinematic history and make it fresh. Unfortunately, while it provides plenty of visual razzle-dazzle, this big-budget exercise in style over substance fails to capture the heart of its source material.

This version starts in similar fashion as its predecessors, with young Snow White (Kristen Stewart) escaping from the clutches of the evil Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron) and into the forest. The vindictive queen recruits a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) to track her down and receive a reward.

But the huntsman becomes an unlikely ally for the princess, teaching her how to fight against the royal henchmen trying to kill her. They fall in love, of course, and meet the obligatory seven wise dwarfs who assist in the effort to dethrone the corrupt queen.

Despite its narrative problems, the film benefits from some inventive visuals, courtesy of rookie director Rupert Sanders. The technical credits are superb, making for a triumph in areas such as cinematography, costume design, production design and visual effects.

Whether capturing a swashbuckling battle amid a wintry landscape or a confrontation with an anthropomorphic tree creature, Huntsman is always easy on the eyes even when it’s hard on the brain. The most spectacular example is during an extended sequence in an enchanted forest filled with pixies, fairies and other mythical creatures.

The self-indulgent script, however, lacks the same courage as the filmmaker, settling for predictable hallmarks instead of having the courage to really try something new.

Theron is menacing in a theatrical performance as the villainous queen. However, the decision to cast full-sized actors such as Bob Hoskins, Toby Jones and Ian McShane in the roles of the dwarfs is puzzling. Their thespian talents aren’t exactly required in a film that woefully lacks subtlety in both acting and storytelling.

Neither Huntsman nor Mirror benefits from their release-date proximity. They share some of the same virtues, but they share more of the same flaws.

Rated PG-13, 127 minutes.