Stewart, Theron, Reign Supreme in Medieval 'Snow White' Tale

No longer the damsel in distress, Snow White becomes a warrior princess to take back what is hers.

If you’re feeling fairy tale déjà vu all of the sudden, you’re not alone. Less than three months ago, director Tarsem Singh traded his stylistic vision of mythological gods and titans for a more family friendly take on the classic Snow White tale in Mirror Mirror. And that was all fine and great for its targeting its youthful demographic, but Rupert Sanders too has his own Snow White tale to tell, one treading the same mature waters as Pan’s Labyrinth and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. 

Snow White and the Huntsman conveys the most consistent plot points found in any interpretation:  a princess who’s fairest in the land, a vain usurper queen challenged by the beauty of said princess and a supporting cast of seven dwarves, a conflicted huntsman and the iconic magic mirror (or in Huntsman, a faceless mirror man).  Where Huntsman zigs where other interpretations have zagged shines in its encompassing gritty and medieval vibe, in which Snow White assumes the mantle of the kingdom’s savior, a warrior princess leading her army into battle against a psychotic seductress, who has stolen everything that is rightfully hers. 

Fourth 'Twilight' Outing Spawns Maritial Angst

After four movies, Bella finally ends the heated Team Edward vs. Team Jacob debate.

What a relieving 16 months it’s been. No sign of teenage angst, sparkling vampires or shirtless werewolves or team this or that. That is…until now. Hormone raging teenage girls have no doubt been counting down the days until the supposed wedding of the year and the honeymoon off the coast of Rio they’re all envious of. Yes, the Twilight phenomenon returns for the beginning of the end with the first half of the series’ final book, Breaking Dawn hitting theaters. Now if you haven’t been keeping up with this teen drama, Bella and her sparkling vampire boyfriend, Edward, are finally, yes finally, getting married. She immediately gets knocked up by Edward, carrying around a hybrid that’s killing her from the inside. And if she’s to survive, Edward has to do the one thing he’s been procrastinating about for the last few movies and that’s making her like him, a vampire.

Breaking Dawn is unquestionably the least critically received and longest of Stephenie Meyer’s saga and the film is a prime example of why that is the case. The majority of the film is sappy and drawn out, despite being the short film of the series to date. Breaking Dawn opens with one of the most awkward weddings and receptions seen on screen. Sure teenage girls will be in awe over every miniscule detail, wishing for that happily ever after in Bella’s place, but everything is so lifeless. But being vampires, it’s not too surprising and Bella hasn’t even become a vampire yet.