THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR has a trouble development history to say the least.  Universal Pictures was eager to make a sequel to the successful SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN, but the affair between star Kristen Stewart and the director was one of the first hurdles.   Kristen was set to star in a sequel (without the first film’s director due to the scandal over the affair) which went through several directors and even dropping Kristen Stewart from the project which finally ended up as a prequel/ sequel. 

 

THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR is a mixed bag due to a great cast, production design, and looking great visually, but the story could have been developed more.  I feel there could been more developed between the sisters Freya and Ravenna while sadly the quest by Eric and some dwarves to retrieve the stolen evil golden mirror of Ravenna’s is the least interesting (but at least they find a way to bring back Ravenna).  It is interesting to see the back story of Eric’s lost love which might have been left unexplained since it was one of the stronger character development points in SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN.   I feel if they focused more on Ravenna and her relationship with Freya, this prequel/ sequel/ spin-off would have been a better film.  I think said SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN would have benefited from having more Ravenna (and again Charlize Theron isn’t given enough time to shine as Ravenna).  Kristen Stewart was the weakest link of the first film, but I wonder if they could have left her in the movie that it would helped the project (given that they find a clever way around not having to use her in the film by showing Snow White being driven made by the mirror without showing her face).   Don’t get me wrong the movie is fun to watch one time, but you might be better off waiting to rent THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR when it hits digital, blu-ray, and DVD.  

 

This review is ©4-27-2016 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com

 

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