The Huntsman: Winter’s War

The Huntsman: Winter’s War

2016, so far, can be marked as the year of sequels and reboots. While some of which are well-crafted, the majority are either disappointing or simply unnecessary. Falling on the latter category is The Huntsman: Winter’s War, which serves as both a prequel and a sequel (a “sprequel”, if you may), may not be as highly anticipated as the Snow White and the Huntsman was, but surely more entertaining than its gloomy predecessor, its visual flair spectacular enough that it distract you from its supremely flawed narrative.

The prequel tells the tale of two sisters, Ravenna (reprised by Charlize Theron), who usurps the King’s throne, and Freya (Emily Blunt), who is content in living behind her sister’s shadow until her lover’s betrayal costs the life of her child and ultimately awakens her suppressed powers. Consumed with grief and anger, Freya leaves her sister’s side and raises an army of children – her “huntsmen” as she dubs them. Among these huntsmen are Eric (Chris Hemsworth) and Sara (Jessica Chastain), who grow up to be two of the most skilled warriors and who eventually fall in love with each other. Their forbidden relationship is soon discovered and ended by Freya/The Ice Queen, who has now become cold to the idea of love. Seven years later, and picking up from the events of the last film, Prince William (Sam Claflin) implores Eric’s service to retrieve a golden magic mirror in order to prevent Freya from seizing unimaginable power.

REVIEW: The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016)

The Huntsman: Winter’s War validates itself by borrowing elements from other superior fantasy films. Despite this, it fails to deliver a solid plot with a strong emotional core in the way that Maleficent does. Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, who served as special effects supervisor in the first film, makes his directorial debut, and it is crystal clear that his top priority is to deliver a visual spectacle, resulting in the classic case of favoring style over substance. The film’s visuals are lavish, which is a welcome treat, but comes at the expense of quality direction. Complete with extravagant and intricate costume and set piece design, some scenes feels more perfume ads than a key villain scene in a fantasy film.

The biggest commodity in Winter’s War is its stellar cast. The four leads here play characters that are not exactly interesting, yet are able to make nuanced performances and give viewers something to sink their teeth in. Chris Hemsworth is a far better protagonist than the disinterested Kristen Stewart from the first film. His reputation for playing Thor in Marvel’s cinematic universe provides him a bullet-proof assurance that he can deliver even the corniest lines, and get away with it, this being owed to his rugged charm. Notwithstanding a clumsily penned love story arc, he strikes a decent chemistry with Jessica Chastain.
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REVIEW: The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016)

Chastain—whose acceptance of this part, to me, is surprising—portrays a driven and earnest action heroine quite convincingly. Both Hemsworth and Chastain are however burdened with a Scottish accent with which they flail speaking throughout the film. Emily Blunt, as the film’s primary antagonist, ably shifts in-between emotions, from vulnerability to wrath. Her on-screen sister Charlize Theron, who obviously lives through after the first film, might have lesser screen time, but the woman, with her menacing death stares and spiky tentacles, is still poised to steal the show. She’s lethal in gold. The digitally shrunk quartet of dwarves—Nion (Nick Frost), Gryff (Rob Brydon), Doreena (Alexandra Roach) and Bromwyn (Sheridan Smith)—are all welcome additions despite obviously being cast strictly for comic relief.

Still, not even the winning combination of fantastic visual effects, splendid costume design, and great casting can salvage this poorly-directed sappy fantasy story of all-conquering love. The Huntsman: Winter’s War is not much more than yet another generic cash-grab product of Hollywood.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HEL1OGaJ2c

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