I have to say after watching so many modern day versions of
fairy tales I've decided I've joined to ranks of old fogies. I just don't like
new fangled updates of classic tales. Perhaps that's not fair. Reworking a
classic fairy tale while not saying so directly has turned out okay for some
films. But to say this is the real thing when it's not makes for some bad
movies. Like MIRROR MIRROR.
From all the advertising and promotions you would think that
this movie isn't about Snow White at all and in a sense you'd be correct. It
even begins with the evil queen narrating the tale. As played by Julia Roberts
all I could think of while watching this was that she's gone from a talented
actress to one that wants to be the center of attention. The evil queen is a
part of the story but not the focus.
The fairy tale gets twisted to suit the needs of the actors
involved with the King marrying the Queen (Julia Roberts) while Snow (Lilly
Collins) is young, disappearing and leaving the Queen in charge. Snow lives
more along the lines of Cinderella without the work involved, forced to stay
out of the public eye while the queen throws parties and more.
Traveling through a local forest is Prince Alcott (Armie
Hammer) seeking fame and fortune. Unfortunately he is set upon by bandits in
the form of seven dwarves on bouncing stilts. Robbed of clothing and money, the
Prince is saved by Snow and taken to the castle where the Queen takes a fancy
to him, not just because of his looks but because her constant spending has
left the castle treasury empty. When Snow catches the eye of the Prince the
Queen becomes jealous and has her taken to the forest to be killed, but we know
how that ends.
Instead Snow finds the home of the thieving dwarves and asks
to be taken in just for the night. Finally relenting, they allow her to stay
and find themselves enjoying her company and help. She stays and they teach her
how to survive which comes in handy when the Prince shows up later and is
accosted by the dwarves once again.
The story goes back and forth with the love interests played
out nicely and the Queen fulfilling the role of being evil and nasty. The whole
poisoned apple that so many remember from the story (and of course the Disney
version) is tossed out only to be dropped in at the last minute but played out
differently. The kiss from the Prince to save Snow in the traditional sense is
gone as well. And just so you know this isn't your grandparents telling of Snow
White, a Bollywood song is tossed in at the very end.
The acting seems plain to me and in parts somewhat
amateurish or perhaps it was just the script and the things the actors were
doing on screen. The concept of the dwarves becoming steam punk looking robbers
didn't set right with me. It shows children that stealing is okay if you have a
reason. And the concept of taxing the poor seemed more out of Robin Hood than
the story of Snow White. Is this something children understand yet? Then again
with the way things are going perhaps the sooner they learn about taxes the
better.
I'm sure this is me just not feeling that the story needed
retelling or rebooting but while it looked gorgeous it just felt empty to me. I
know my great great niece loved it, then again she's 6 and my guess is hasn't
seen the Disney version. Knowing that, perhaps the kids in your house will
enjoy it as well. But for me it was just a movie to pass time, like a fast food
meal that fills you up but leaves you unsatisfied.
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